Sponsors
The bill secures long-term protections for rivers, public access, tribal uses, and downstream water quality—benefiting recreation, agriculture, and ecosystems—while imposing development limits, added federal review, and constraints on some future hydropower and local infrastructure projects.
Rural communities, visitors, and tribal members retain permanent protection for ~98.5 miles of rivers/creeks, preserving scenic character, clean water, and fish/wildlife for recreation and subsistence.
Tribes, irrigators, and municipalities keep existing legal water rights and compacts, and tribes can continue cultural hunting, fishing, and gathering practices in longstanding use areas.
Farmers, agricultural workers, and local small businesses benefit from protections for headwater-derived clean water and preserved recreation access that support agriculture and tourism-related revenue.
Landowners and rural communities face new federal management constraints and limits on development and buildings along designated segments, reducing private development options and flexibility.
State and local governments and taxpayers may experience slower or more complex infrastructure repairs because projects could trigger additional federal review and permitting requirements.
Energy developers and some local governments may be limited from expanding hydropower into covered river segments (e.g., prohibitions affecting Hebgen and Madison expansions), constraining future renewable energy and revenue opportunities.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Adds five Montana river segments to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, protects rights and access, and clarifies hydropower/FERC treatment while preserving dam operations.
Introduced September 2, 2025 by Ryan Zinke · Last progress September 2, 2025
Designates five river segments in southwest Montana as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and assigns the Forest Service (Secretary of Agriculture) to manage them as either "recreational" or "scenic" rivers. The measure preserves existing private property and water rights, prohibits Federal land acquisition in the designated reaches without owner consent, protects ongoing dam operations and hydropower licensing for Hebgen and Madison developments, and authorizes necessary funding.