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BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) A National Forest official says the agency is imposing new restrictions on snowmobiles in a wilderness area south of Bozeman in response to a recent ruling from a federal judge.

Gallatin Forest Supervisor Mary Erickson says snowmobile use in the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area will be limited to just two areas.

Those are the Big Sky Snowmobile Trail and a "play area" for cross country snowmobile travel near Golden Trout Lakes.

The machines will be allowed from Dec. 2 through April 15.

A 2006 travel plan from the Forest Service had opened new portions of the 18,000-acre wilderness area to snowmobile use. In September, U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula ruled that the expansions were contrary to the 1977 law that created the wilderness area.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-13-09 1416CST | save this article / add to your favorites list