Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act

This bill would protect parts of the Madison and Gallatin Rivers and nearby creeks in Montana by adding them to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. It covers about 42 miles of the Madison, 39.5 miles of the Gallatin, plus segments of Hyalite Creek, Cabin Creek, and the Middle Fork of Cabin Creek. The two main rivers would be managed for recreation, while the creeks would be managed for their scenic values. The goal is to keep these waters clean and healthy for fish, wildlife, and outdoor fun, now and in the future .

Public access continues, private property rights are respected, and agencies can still maintain roads and bridges and handle emergencies. No land in the protected areas can be taken without the owner’s consent. Existing water rights—Federal, Tribal, interstate compacts, Montana state rights, and rights held by the United States—are not changed by this bill . The Hebgen and Madison Dams sit outside the protected stretches, and their current operations and licenses can continue; adding hydropower at Hebgen is not blocked, but the dams cannot expand into the protected river segments.

• Who is affected: Local residents, landowners, Tribal communities, farmers, and visitors who fish, hunt, boat, hike, and camp along these waters. Outdoor recreation brings billions of dollars each year to Montana’s economy, and farms depend on clean headwaters streams.
• What changes: Specific river and creek segments gain Wild and Scenic protections while keeping public access, respecting private land, and allowing needed maintenance and emergency actions. Water rights stay the same; existing dams keep operating outside the protected areas .
• When: If enacted, these protections would apply to the listed segments in the Greater Yellowstone area of Montana .