Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025

This bill would protect large parts of the Northern Rockies in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. It would create many new wilderness areas, add more Wild and Scenic Rivers, and set up wildlife corridors that link major ecosystems like Greater Yellowstone, Glacier/Northern Continental Divide, Hells Canyon, Salmon/Selway, and Cabinet‑Yaak‑Selkirk. About 2.9 million acres would be set aside as wildlife corridors to help animals move and survive across these landscapes .

For people on the ground, this means more places kept natural for clean water, wildlife, and outdoor recreation. Wildlife corridors would have special rules to keep them connected while balancing other uses. Ranchers could choose to donate their grazing permits in these protected areas; when they do, grazing ends or is reduced on that land. The bill also sets aside enough water for the protected areas, starting the day the law takes effect. It includes sections on Tribal rights, the federal trust responsibility, and Tribal use of protected areas .

• Who is affected: Residents and visitors in ID, MT, OR, WA, and WY; Tribal Nations; ranchers with federal grazing permits on affected lands .
• What changes: New and expanded wilderness areas; new Wild and Scenic River designations; about 2.9 million acres of wildlife corridors; voluntary retirement of some grazing; water reserved for these protected lands .
• When: Protections and water rights begin upon enactment; the water rights start on the date the law takes effect.