Montana, BLM Expand Forest Management Partnership
A new memorandum of understanding broadens the state's Good Neighbor Authority work with the Bureau of Land Management on forest and rangeland projects.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in National Parks
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Gov. Greg Gianforte, BLM Director Steve Pearce, and DNRC Director Amanda Kaster signed a new memorandum of understanding at the Montana State Capitol on Monday. The agreement expands the state's Good Neighbor Authority partnership with the Bureau of Land Management.
Why it matters
The Good Neighbor Authority framework lets state and federal agencies coordinate forest and rangeland management across Montana's public lands. The expanded agreement is intended to increase the pace and scale of that work while addressing wildfire risk.
The partnership dates to 2019 and has supported timber sale administration, fuels reduction, and prescribed fire support. The source does not provide acreage or dollar figures for the expanded agreement.
The players
Greg Gianforte
Gianforte is the Governor of Montana, who attended the signing of the agreement at the State Capitol.
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is a federal agency within the Department of the Interior that manages public lands, including forests and rangelands, across the western United States.
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation manages state trust lands and forestry programs and is a party to the Good Neighbor Authority agreement.
The details
The memorandum allows revenue generated through timber sales to be reinvested into project planning, restoration, and on-the-ground improvements. The state and BLM plan to expand collaborative work on timber production, forest and watershed restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, and wildlife habitat improvement.
Timeline
2019: State and BLM begin Good Neighbor Authority cooperation.
Monday: Memorandum of understanding signed at the Montana State Capitol in Helena.
Roadmap
The Good Neighbor Authority, established under the 2018 Farm Bill, allows states to carry out certain federal forest and rangeland work on public lands. Montana's expanded agreement with the BLM extends a partnership that has operated since 2019 and continues a trend of states taking on more active federal land management.
Visitors to Montana's public lands may see more active forest and rangeland work as the expanded agreement takes effect. Travelers planning trips to affected areas should check current site notices before visiting.
The takeaway
Expanded state-federal partnerships can speed forest management and wildfire mitigation on Montana's public lands. Following agency updates will show how the new agreement's projects take shape across the state.
Further reading
For more on public lands across the state, explore National Parks coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTVH.
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Should Montana expand timber harvesting on state and federal public lands to reduce wildfire risk?
