©2026 League of Conservation Voters
1977 Scorecard Vote
315
103
16
Issues
(S. 393). Vote is on the Roncalio motion to suspend the rules and pass a bill directing the Secretary of Agriculture to study nine areas (973,000 acres) in Montana’s National Forests to determine their suitability for inclusion in the National Wilderness System. The bill protects 9 long standing priority areas from development for the five years it would take to complete the studies. Under rule suspensions, a two-thirds majority vote is required; a similar motion was defeated in September. Conservationists wanted to pass the bill before Senator Metcalf, a leader in the fight, had retired. They felt it was the most important wilderness bill to come to the floor that year and lobbied hard for it. Opposed were timber and mining interests and a Montana power company that wanted to put a power line through one of the areas. Motion agreed to 315-103. October 18, 1977. YES is the correct vote.
©2026 League of Conservation Voters