Sponsor
Ryan Zinke
Representative · R-MT
Representative · R-MT
The bill protects multiple Montana river segments—supporting recreation, water quality, tribal uses, and near-term hydropower reliability—while imposing federal protections that can restrict development, increase permitting costs, and shift management authority away from some local stakeholders.
Rural communities and small businesses (especially recreation- and tourism-related firms) gain preserved access to scenic river segments, which supports outdoor recreation and likely increases tourism spending.
Farmers and other agricultural water users retain protections for headwater streams and water quality that support Montana's large agricultural economy.
Tribal communities retain recognition of longstanding hunting, fishing, gathering, and cultural uses on the designated streams, protecting tribal rights and cultural practices.
Landowners and state/local governments may see reduced flexibility because federal Wild and Scenic designation shifts some management authority and decision-making to federal agencies.
Homeowners, small businesses, and developers could face new regulatory constraints and permitting requirements near the rivers that increase costs or limit certain land uses and projects.
Local governments and homeowners could face higher repair costs or delays because maintaining roads, bridges, dams, and other infrastructure within protected corridors may require extra permitting or mitigation.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Designates five Montana river segments as Wild and Scenic, protecting river values while preserving existing water rights, public access, and specified dam operations.
Official title: To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain streams in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in the State of Montana as components of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.
Introduced August 1, 2025 by Ryan Zinke · Last progress August 1, 2025
Designates five river segments in Montana (parts of the Madison, Gallatin, Hyalite, Cabin Creek, and Middle Fork Cabin Creek) as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System to preserve clean water, fish and wildlife, recreation, tribal cultural uses, and economic benefits. The bill protects existing public access, private property rights, existing water rights, and existing infrastructure operations (including specified dams and hydropower licenses), and it prohibits federal land acquisition in the designated segments without owner consent. The measure clarifies that Hebgen and Madison Dams and Reservoirs lie outside the designated segments and that existing licensing, operations, and FERC authorities remain in force (including allowing FERC relicensing and potential additional hydropower at Hebgen under the Federal Power Act). It authorizes whatever sums are necessary to implement the law.