H.R. 2420

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To designate certain National Forest System land and certain public land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture in the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, wildland recovery areas, and biological connecting corridors, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · March 27, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania · Committee: Committee on Natural Resources

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

• (a) Short title
  • This Act may be cited as the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025.
  • Short title
• (b) Table of contents
  • The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
  • Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
  • Sec. 2. Findings.
  • Sec. 3. Purposes.
  • Sec. 4. Definitions.
  • Title I—Designation of wilderness
  • Sec. 101. Purpose.
  • Sec. 102. Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide ecosystem.
  • Sec. 103. Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
  • Sec. 104. Greater Salmon/Selway ecosystem.
  • Sec. 105. Greater Cabinet-Yaak-Selkirk ecosystem.
  • Sec. 106. Greater Hells Canyon ecosystem.
  • Sec. 107. Islands in the Sky Wilderness.
  • Sec. 108. Wilderness in biological connecting corridors.
  • Sec. 109. Administration.
  • Sec. 110. Water.
  • Sec. 111. Donation of grazing permits and leases.
  • Title II—Biological connecting corridors
  • Sec. 201. Findings.
  • Sec. 202. Designation of biological connecting corridors.
  • Sec. 203. Treatment of biological connecting corridors.
  • Sec. 204. Applicability of title.
  • Sec. 205. Cooperative agreements and land trades and acquisitions.
  • Sec. 206. Exemption of certain roads and highways.
  • Title III—Wild and scenic rivers designations
  • Sec. 301. Designation of wild and scenic rivers in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.
  • Title IV—Wildland restoration and recovery
  • Sec. 401. Definitions.
  • Sec. 402. Restoration and recovery.
  • Sec. 403. Management.
  • Title V—Implementation and monitoring
  • Sec. 501. Implementation report.
  • Sec. 502. Interagency team.
  • Sec. 503. Roadless land evaluation.
  • Title VI—Effect of Act on Indian Tribes
  • Sec. 601. Rights of Indian Tribes.
  • Sec. 602. Federal trust responsibility.
  • Sec. 603. Exemption from Freedom of Information Act.
  • Sec. 604. Application of Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
  • Sec. 605. Tribal use of protected areas.
  • Title VII—Effect of Act on water rights
  • Sec. 701. Water rights.

Sec. 2. Findings.

Congress finds that—

• many areas of undeveloped National Forest System land, National Park System land, and public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming (referred to in this section as )—
  • possess outstanding natural characteristics that give the areas value as wildernesses, parks, or wild and scenic rivers; and
  • if properly preserved, will be an enduring resource as wildernesses and wildland areas and of biodiversity for the benefit of the people of the United States;
• the Northern Rockies Bioregion—
  • contains the most diverse array of wildland that remains in the United States south of Canada;
  • provides a sanctuary for species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (); 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
  • is national interest public land that is among the most popular wildland in the United States; and
  • embraces greater ecosystems and national treasures such as the Greater Yellowstone, Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide, Greater Hells Canyon/Wallowa, Greater Salmon/Selway, and Greater Cabinet-Yaak-Selkirk ecosystems;
• the natural ecosystems in the Northern Rockies Bioregion are largely dependent on—
  • public land; and
  • the ecological productivity and diversity of resources on public land;
• conservation of roadless areas on public land—
  • produces clean water;
  • protects native fisheries and native flora and fauna;
  • provides scenic and recreational qualities; and
  • preserves options for sustainable economics through activities such as hunting, fishing, and wilderness-based recreation;
• the headwaters of several major river systems, including the Columbia, Snake, Green, Missouri, and Saskatchewan Rivers, are in the Northern Rockies Bioregion and the water of those rivers—
  • flows to 3 oceans;
  • is of economic importance to farming and ranching operations, municipal water supplies, and water-based recreation, including fishing and boating; and
  • if protected, will enhance the uses described in subparagraph (B), reduce costs for water treatment and irrigation, and increase native fish populations;
• the wildlife treasures of the Northern Rockies Bioregion are of international significance and contain intact, large mammalian fauna and rare and unique plant life;
• wildlife habitat fragmentation due to road building, timber harvesting, mining, oil and gas exploration, lack of interagency cooperation, and other activities has severe effects on—
  • the wildlife populations of the Northern Rockies Bioregion (including populations of species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ()) and the habitats of the wildlife; and 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

Sec. 3. Purposes.

• (a) In general
  • The purposes of this Act are—
    • to designate certain National Forest System land, certain National Park System land, and certain public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System;
    • to designate certain National Forest System land, certain public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management, and watercourses on that National Forest System land and public land in the States of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System;
    • to prioritize areas for wildland recovery to help restore biological diversity and native species; and
    • to establish a system of biological connecting corridors—
      • between the core ecosystems in the Northern Rockies Bioregion; and
      • that connect to ecologically significant wildland to the south of the Northern Rockies Bioregion.
• (b) Purpose of designations
  • The designations of land made by this Act are made—
    • to promote, perpetuate, and preserve the wilderness character of the designated land;
    • to protect water quality, watersheds, and wildlife habitats, including the habitats of species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (); 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
    • to protect the ecological integrity and contiguity of major wildland ecosystems and the interconnecting corridors of the ecosystems identified by the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or another official;
    • to protect and maintain biological and native species diversity and dispersal throughout the Northern Rockies Bioregion;
    • to promote and ensure interagency cooperation in the implementation of integrated, holistic ecosystem management and protection of the ecosystems and corridors covered by this Act based on principles from conservation biology;
    • to preserve scenic, historic, and cultural resources;
    • to promote scientific research, primitive recreation, solitude, physical and mental challenges, and inspiration for the benefit of the people of the United States;
    • to avoid the misinvestment of scarce capital in land of marginal timber value; and
    • to promote ecologically and economically sustainable management in the Northern Rockies Bioregion.

Sec. 4. Definitions.

In this Act:

• The term corridor means an area that provides connectivity of habitat or potential habitat, and that facilitates the ability of terrestrial, estuarine, and freshwater fish, or wildlife, to move within a landscape—
• The term , when used in conjunction with a specific ecosystem described in this Act, means an ecological land unit— greater ecosystem
• The term habitat means the physical, chemical, and biological properties that are used by fish, wildlife, or plants for growth, reproduction, survival, food, water, and cover on a tract of land, in a body of water, or in an area or region.
• The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (). 25 U.S.C. 5304
• The term Northern Rockies Bioregion means the portion of the Northern Rocky Mountains in the States of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington, as depicted on maps referred to in this Act.
• The term public land,public lands has the meaning given the term in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (). 43 U.S.C. 1702
• The term Secretary concerned means—

Title I—Designation of wilderness

Sec. 101. Purpose.

The purpose of this title is to designate certain National Forest System land, National Park System land, and public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System in furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness Act (). 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.

Sec. 102. Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide ecosystem.

• (a) Definition of Map
  • In this section, the term Map means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. In this section, the term means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. Greater Glacier
• (b) Designations
  • To protect the unique ecosystem of the Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide ecosystem, the following land is designated as wilderness:
  • (1) Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex additions
    • The following land is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Great Bear Wilderness, or Scapegoat Wilderness, as applicable:
    • (A) Bob Marshall/Scapegoat Additions
      • Certain Federal land within the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and Lolo National Forest and certain public land administered by the Lewistown Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 429,647 acres, identified as on the Map, of which— Bob Marshall/Scapegoat Additions
        • (i) the Federal land described in this subparagraph that is adjacent to the Bob Marshall Wilderness is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Bob Marshall Wilderness; and
        • (ii) the Federal land described in this subparagraph that is adjacent to the Scapegoat Wilderness is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Scapegoat Wilderness.
    • (B) Bob Marshall/Great Bear Additions
      • Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest comprising approximately 352,025 acres, identified as on the Map, of which— Bob Marshall/Great Bear Additions
        • (i) the Federal land described in this subparagraph that is adjacent to the Bob Marshall Wilderness is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Bob Marshall Wilderness; and
        • (ii) the Federal land described in this subparagraph that is adjacent to the Great Bear Wilderness is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Great Bear Wilderness.
    • (C) Great Bear Additions
      • Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest comprising approximately 24,295 acres, identified as , is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Great Bear Wilderness. Great Bear Additions
    • (D) Middle Fork Flathead Addition
      • Certain Federal land within the Flathead National Forest comprising approximately 22,086 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Great Bear Wilderness. Middle Fork Flathead Addition
  • (2) Mission Mountains Wilderness Additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Lolo National Forest and Flathead National Forest comprising approximately 29,000 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Mission Mountains Wilderness.

Sec. 103. Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

• (a) Definition of Map
  • In this section, the term Map means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. In this section, the term means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. Greater Yellowstone
• (b) Designations
  • To protect the unique ecosystem of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, the following land is designated as wilderness:
  • (1) Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Shoshone National Forest comprising approximately 307,069 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Absaroka-Beartooth Additions and North Absaroka-Beartooth Additions
  • (2) North Absaroka Wilderness additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Shoshone National Forest and the Custer Gallatin National Forest comprising approximately 173,000 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the North Absaroka Wilderness. Wapiti Valley North, Trout Creek/Rattlesnake, Pat O’Hara, Sulphur Creek/Sunlight Creek, Windy Mountain, and Reef/Republic Mountain
  • (3) Washakie Wilderness additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Shoshone National Forest and certain public land administered by the Lander Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 339,000 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Washakie Wilderness. Castle Rock/Telephone Draw/Carson Lake, Wood River, Franc's Peak, South Fork (1 and 2)/Carter Mountain, Wapiti Valley South, and Dunoir/Teton Additions (including Dunoir, South Dunoir, East Dunoir, West Dunoir, and Togwotee Pass portions)
  • (4) Fitzpatrick Wilderness additions
    • The following land is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Fitzpatrick Wilderness:
    • (A) Fitzpatrick Wilderness addition
      • Certain Federal land within the Shoshone National Forest comprising approximately 6,000 acres, identified as on the Map. Seven Lakes-Mosquito Lake/Warm Springs Creek (Warm Springs Creek portion)
    • (B) Bench Mark addition
      • Certain Federal land within the Shoshone National Forest comprising approximately 5,943 acres, identified as on the Map. Bench Mark
  • (5) Teton Wilderness Additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 24,000 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Teton Wilderness. Dunoir/Teton Additions (Teton Additions portion)
  • (6) Gros Ventre Wilderness Additions

Sec. 104. Greater Salmon/Selway ecosystem.

• (a) Definition of Map
  • In this section, the term Map means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. In this section, the term means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. Greater Salmon Selway
• (b) Designations
  • To protect the unique ecosystem of the greater Salmon/Selway ecosystem, the following land is designated as wilderness:
  • (1) Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Payette National Forest, Boise National Forest, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Bitterroot National Forest, and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests and certain public land administered by the Cottonwood Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 746,149 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness.
  • (2) Gospel-Hump Wilderness Additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests comprising approximately 55,170 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Gospel-Hump Wilderness. Gospel-Hump Additions
  • (3) Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, the Bitterroot National Forest, and the Lolo National Forest and certain public land administered by the Cottonwood Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 559,195 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Selway-Bitterroot Additions
  • (4) Sawtooth Wilderness Additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Boise National Forest, Sawtooth National Forest, and the Salmon-Challis National Forest comprising approximately 547,811 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Sawtooth Wilderness. Sawtooth Additions
  • (5) Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness Additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Sawtooth National Forest comprising approximately 124,873 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness. White Clouds Wilderness Additions
  • (6) Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness Addition
    • Certain Federal land within the Sawtooth National Forest comprising approximately 76,836 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness. Hemingway Wilderness Additions
  • (7) Jim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Sawtooth National Forest and the Salmon-Challis National Forest and certain public land administered by the Challis Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 94,252 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Jim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness.

Sec. 105. Greater Cabinet-Yaak-Selkirk ecosystem.

• (a) Definitions
  • In this section:
    • The term Map 1 means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. The term means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. Greater Cabinet-Yaak Selkirk
    • The term Map 2 means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. The term means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (2023)
• (b) Designations
  • To protect the unique, heavily fragmented, and endangered greater Cabinet-Yaak-Selkirk ecosystem, the following land is designated as wilderness:
  • (1) Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 104,720 acres, identified as on Map 1, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness. Rock Creek, McDonald Mountain, Cabinet Face West, Government Mountain, and Cabinet East Face
  • (2) Salmo-Priest Wilderness Additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Idaho Panhandle National Forests and the Colville National Forest comprising approximately 43,587 acres, identified as on Map 1, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Salmo-Priest Wilderness. Salmo-Priest Additions
  • (3) New National Wilderness Preservation System components
    • Each of the following areas of land is designated as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System:
    • (A) Skyline Mountain Wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 14,675 acres, identified as on Map 1, which shall be known as the . Skyline Mountain Skyline Mountain Wilderness
    • (B) Galena Creek Wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 19,300 acres, identified as on Map 2, which shall be known as the . Galena Creek Galena Creek Wilderness
    • (C) Berray Mountain Wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 9,119 acres, identified as on Map 1, which shall be known as the . Berray Mountain Wilderness
    • (D) Lone Cliff-Smeads Wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 5,118 acres, identified as on Map 1, which shall be known as the . Lone Cliff-Smeads Lone Cliff-Smeads Wilderness
    • (E) McNeeley Wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 6,657 acres, identified as on Map 2, which shall be known as the .

Sec. 106. Greater Hells Canyon ecosystem.

• (a) Definitions
  • In this section:
    • The term Map 1 means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. The term means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. Greater Hells Canyon
    • The term Map 2 means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. The term means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (2023)
• (b) Designations
  • To protect the unique and endangered greater Hells Canyon ecosystem, the following land is designated as wilderness:
  • (1) Hells Canyon Wilderness additions
    • The following land, comprising a total of approximately 364,895 acres, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Hells Canyon Wilderness:
    • (A) Hells Canyon Additions
      • Certain Federal land within the Payette National Forest and the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests comprising approximately 152,942 acres, identified as on Map 1. Hells Canyon Additions
    • (B) Hells Canyon
      • Certain Federal land within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest comprising approximately 211,953 acres, identified as on Map 1. Hells Canyon
  • (2) Eagle Cap Wilderness Additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest comprising approximately 112,143 acres, identified as on Map 1, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Eagle Cap Additions
  • (3) Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Umatilla National Forest comprising approximately 12,478 acres, identified as on Map 1, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. Upper Tucannon
  • (4) New National Wilderness Preservation System components
    • Each of the following areas of land is designated as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System:
    • (A) Willow Springs Wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Umatilla National Forest comprising approximately 10,414 acres, identified as on Map 1, which shall be known as the . Willow Springs Willow Springs Wilderness
    • (B) Asotin Creek Wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Umatilla National Forest comprising approximately 16,395 acres, identified as on Map 1, which shall be known as the . Asotin Creek Asotin Creek Wilderness
    • (C) Spangler Wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Umatilla National Forest comprising approximately 5,936 acres, identified as on Map 1, which shall be known as the .

Sec. 107. Islands in the Sky Wilderness.

• (a) Definitions
  • In this section:
    • The term Map 1 means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. The term means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. Islands in the Sky Map 1
    • The term Map 2 means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. The term means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. Islands in the Sky Map 2
    • The term Map 3 means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. The term means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. Islands in the Sky Map 3
    • The term Map 4 means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. The term means the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023. Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (2023)
• (b) Designations
  • To protect the unique and increasingly isolated island mountain ranges in the Northern Rockies Bioregion, the following land is designated as wilderness:
  • (1) North fork john day wilderness additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Malheur National Forest, Umatilla National Forest, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest comprising approximately 145,319 acres, identified as on Map 1, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the North Fork John Day Wilderness. North Fork John Day Additions
  • (2) Cloud peak wilderness additions
    • Certain Federal land within the Bighorn National Forest and certain public land administered by the Worland Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 190,790 acres, identified as on Map 3, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Cloud Peak Additions
  • (3) Monument rock wilderness addition
    • Certain Federal land within the Malheur National Forest comprising approximately 6,740 acres, identified as on Map 1, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Monument Rock Wilderness.
  • (4) Mount naomi wilderness addition
    • Certain Federal land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest comprising approximately 28,702 acres, identified as on Map 4, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Mount Naomi Wilderness. Cache Crest
  • (5) New national wilderness preservation system components in the kettle mountains
    • Each of the following areas of land within the Kettle Mountains is designated as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System:
    • (A) Thirteen mile wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Colville National Forest comprising approximately 14,259 acres, identified as on Map 2, which shall be known as the . Thirteen Mile

Sec. 108. Wilderness in biological connecting corridors.

• (a) Definition of map
  • In this section, the term Map means the map entitled . In this section, the term means the map entitled . Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (2023)
• (b) Designations
  • To protect the unique and increasingly isolated island mountain ranges in the biological connecting corridors designated by section 202, the following land is designated as wilderness:
  • (1) Anaconda-pintler wilderness addition
    • Certain Federal land within the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 194,009 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. North Big Hole, Storm Lake, North Carpp, Upper East Fork, and Sapphire
  • (2) Gates of the mountain wilderness addition
    • Certain Federal land within the Helena National Forest comprising approximately 6,377 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Gates of the Mountain Wilderness. Biglog-Holter
  • (3) New national wilderness preservation system components
    • Each of the following areas of land is designated as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System:
    • (A) Stony mountain wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Bitterroot, Lolo, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 100,845 acres, identified as on the Map, which shall be known as the . Stony Mountain Stony Mountain Wilderness
    • (B) Quigg peak wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Lolo and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and land administered by the Missoula Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 80,473 acres, identified as on the Map, which shall be known as the . Quigg Peak Quigg Peak Wilderness
    • (C) Silver king wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Lolo and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 51,380 acres, identified as on the Map, which shall be known as the . Silver King Silver King Wilderness
    • (D) Emerine wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest comprising approximately 16,627 acres, identified as on the Map, which shall be known as the . Emerine Emerine Wilderness
    • (E) Sleeping child wilderness
      • Certain Federal land within the Bitterroot National Forest comprising approximately 21,433 acres, identified as on the Map, which shall be known as the . Sleeping Child Sleeping Child Wilderness

Sec. 109. Administration.

• (a) In general
  • Subject to valid existing rights, land designated as wilderness by this title shall be administered by the Secretary concerned in accordance with the Wilderness Act (), except that— 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.
    • any reference in that Act to the effective date shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of the enactment of this Act;
    • any reference in that Act to the Secretary of Agriculture shall be considered to be a reference to the Secretary concerned; and
    • the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall, to the maximum extent practicable, coordinate the management of an area of land designated as wilderness by this title that contains—
      • land administered by the Secretary of the Interior; and
      • land administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• (b) Maps and legal description
  • (1) In general
    • As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall submit a map and legal description of each area of land designated as wilderness by this title to—
      • the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and
      • the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
  • (2) Force and effect
    • Each map and legal description prepared under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary concerned may correct clerical and typographical errors in the map or legal description.
  • (3) Public availability
    • Each map and legal description prepared under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service, the Office of the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, or the Office of the Director of the National Park Service, as appropriate.

Sec. 110. Water.

• (a) Reservation
  • (1) In general
    • With respect to the land designated as wilderness by this title, rights to a quantity of water sufficient to fulfill the purposes for which the land is designated as wilderness are reserved.
  • (2) Priority date
    • The priority date of the rights reserved by paragraph (1) is the date of enactment of this Act.
• (b) Implementation
  • The Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Interior, and any other relevant officer of the United States shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the rights reserved by subsection (a) are protected, including by filing in a court of the State of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, or Washington claims for quantification of those rights in any appropriate stream adjudication—
    • occurring on or after the date of enactment of this Act; and
    • in which the United States is properly joined in accordance with section 208 of the Act of July 10, 1952 () (commonly referred to as the ). McCarran Amendment 43 U.S.C. 666

Sec. 111. Donation of grazing permits and leases.

• (a) Acceptance by secretary concerned
  • (1) In general
    • The Secretary concerned shall accept the donation of any valid existing permit or lease authorizing grazing on public land or National Forest System land, all or a portion of which is within—
      • a wilderness area designated under this title;
      • a biological connecting corridor designated under title II; or
      • a recovery area designated under title IV.
  • (2) Partial donation
    • A person holding a valid permit or lease for a grazing allotment partially located in an area described in paragraph (1) may elect to donate only the portion of the permit or lease that is within the applicable area.
• (b) Termination
  • With respect to each permit or lease donated under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall—
    • terminate the permit or lease or portion of the permit or lease, as applicable; and
    • except as provided in subsection (c), ensure a permanent end to grazing on the land covered by the permit or lease or portion of the permit or lease.
• (c) Common allotments
  • (1) In general
    • If the land covered by a permit or lease donated under subsection (a) is covered by an additional valid permit or lease that is not donated under that subsection, the Secretary concerned shall reduce the authorized level on the land covered by the permit or lease to reflect the donation of the permit or lease under that subsection.
  • (2) Authorized level
    • To ensure that there is a permanent reduction in the level of grazing on the land covered by the permit or lease donated under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall not allow grazing use on the covered land to exceed the authorized level established under paragraph (1).
• (d) Partial donation
  • If a person holding a valid permit or lease donates less than the full level of grazing use authorized under the grazing permit or lease under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall—
    • reduce the authorized grazing level to reflect the donation; and
    • modify the permit or lease to reflect the revised level.

Title II—Biological connecting corridors

Sec. 201. Findings.

Congress finds that, as of the date of enactment of this Act—

• the most recent scientific information on ecological reserve design and function, including recent scientific information on species dispersal in response to a changing climate, points out the critical need for biological connecting corridors between the larger core ecosystem areas;
• while none of the remaining major wildland ecosystems of the Northern Rockies Bioregion appears to be of sufficient size to perpetuate the full complement of self-sustaining viable populations of native wildlife, biological diversity, and full range of ecological processes on its own, it appears that an effective reserve system can be achieved if biological connecting corridors between the ecosystems are identified and protected;
• the wildland areas addressed by this title are located between the major core ecosystems of the region and are essential for wildlife and plant migration and genetic interchange; and
• those areas are some of the most beautiful and wild mountain ranges in the United States, including the Bitterroot, Sapphire, Lost River, Lemhi, and Bridger mountain ranges.

Sec. 202. Designation of biological connecting corridors.

• (a) Designation
  • To protect the life flow of the Northern Rockies Bioregion, the Federal land described in subsection (b)—
    • is designated as biological connecting corridors that connect the Greater Yellowstone, Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide, Greater Hells Canyon, Greater Salmon/Selway, and Greater Cabinet-Yaak-Selkirk ecosystems; and
    • shall be subject to the special corridor management requirements under section 203.
• (b) Description of Federal land
  • The Federal land referred to in subsection (a) is the approximately 2,900,000 acres of Federal land, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023, and administered by the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management. Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (2023)

Sec. 203. Treatment of biological connecting corridors.

• (a) In general
  • Those portions of the biological connecting corridors designated by section 202 are designated as special corridor management areas and shall be managed according to the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 () and other applicable laws and in accordance with subsection (b). 16 U.S.C. 528 et seq.
• (b) Requirements
  • (1) Silvicultural management and timber harvesting
    • The practice of even-aged silvicultural management and timber harvesting is prohibited within the special corridor management areas.
  • (2) Mining, oil, gas, and roads
    • Subject to valid existing rights, mining, oil, and gas exploration and development and new road construction or reconstruction is prohibited within the special corridor management areas.
  • (3) Road density
    • (A) In general
      • The Federal land management agency responsible for the administration of a special corridor management area or portion of a special corridor management area shall act immediately to ensure that road densities within the biological connecting corridor approach, to the maximum extent practicable, zero miles of road per square mile of land area.
    • (B) Limitation
      • The road density described in subparagraph (A) shall not exceed 0.25 miles per square mile, using the method known as the method. moving window

Sec. 204. Applicability of title.

• (a) Federal land management agencies
  • This title shall apply only to National Forest System land and land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management.
• (b) Private land and landowners
  • (1) In general
    • No private land is affected by this title and no private landowner whose land is adjacent to public land within the designated biological connecting corridors shall be compelled, under any circumstances, to comply with this title.
  • (2) Cooperative agreements
    • A private landowner may enter into a cooperative agreement with the Federal Government on a willing participant or willing seller basis to include the land of the private landowner in a biological connecting corridor designated by this title.

Sec. 205. Cooperative agreements and land trades and acquisitions.

• (a) Cooperative agreements
  • The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall seek to enter into cooperative agreements with private, State, and corporate landowners and sovereign Indian Tribes the land of which is adjacent to public land in the biological connecting corridors designated under this title, if those agreements would benefit the ecological integrity and function of the designated corridors.
• (b) Land trades and acquisitions
  • The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior may undertake land trades or acquisitions to carry out the purposes of this title if the Secretary concerned considers the action to be—
    • appropriate; and
    • in compliance with existing law (including regulations) applicable to land trades or acquisitions.
• (c) Report
  • As part of the report required by section 501, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior shall describe the progress of cooperative agreements, acquisitions, and proposed land exchanges sought pursuant to this section.

Sec. 206. Exemption of certain roads and highways.

• (a) Exemption
  • (1) In general
    • The roads and highways described in subsection (b) are expressly exempted from this title.
  • (2) Additional roads
    • If the Secretary concerned determines that any Federal, State, county, or private road has been mistakenly omitted from the list in subsection (b), the Secretary concerned may exempt the road from this title, if the Secretary concerned determines that the exemption is necessary to carry out the purposes of this title.
• (b) Description
  • The roads and highways referred to in subsection (a) are the following:
    • United States Highways 2, 10, 12, 20, 89, 91, 93, 95, and 287.
    • Interstate Highways 15 and 90.
    • Idaho State Highways 3, 28, 29, and 87.
    • Montana State Highways 2, 37, 38, 41, 43, 56, 58, 83, 87, 135, 200, 278, 287, 293, 294, 298, and 324.
    • Montana Secondary Roads 92, 278, 279, 294, 298, 324, 411, and 508.
    • The Thompson Pass Road, Montana-Idaho.
    • The Moyie Springs to East Port Road, Idaho.
    • The Red Rock Pass Road, Montana.
    • Boundary County, Idaho, Routes 3, 18, 34, and 47.
    • Lolo National Forest Route 102.
    • Gallatin National Forest Route 259.
    • Kelly Canyon and Middle Fork Canyon Roads, Gallatin National Forest.
    • Lewis and Clark County, Montana, Roads 4, 164, 280, 287, and 291.
    • The Beaverhead-Deerlodge to Basin Road, Montana.
    • The Marysville to Avon Road, Montana.
    • The Pahsimeroi Road, Butte County, Idaho.

Title III—Wild and scenic rivers designations

Sec. 301. Designation of wild and scenic rivers in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act () is amended by adding at the end the following: 16 U.S.C. 1274(a)

• (233) South Fork Payette, Idaho
  • The segment within the Boise and Sawtooth National Forests from the Sawtooth Wilderness Boundary downstream approximately 54 miles to confluence with the Middle Fork and then downstream on the main stem to the confluence with the North Fork, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• (234) Middle Fork Payette, Idaho
  • The segment within the Boise National Forest from Railroad Pass downstream approximately 33 miles to the national forest boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• (235) Deadwood, Idaho
  • The segment within the Boise National Forest from Threemile Creek downstream approximately 22 miles to the South Fork of the Payette, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• (236) Upper Priest, Idaho
  • The segment within the Panhandle National Forests from the Canadian border downstream approximately 19 miles to Upper Priest Lake, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• (237) Coeur D'alene, Idaho
  • The segment within the Panhandle National Forests from the headwaters downstream approximately 58 miles to the national forest boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• (238) Little North Fork Clearwater, Idaho
  • The segment within the Idaho Panhandle National Forests and the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests from the headwaters downstream approximately 37 miles to the national forest boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• (239) Kelly Creek, Idaho
  • The segment within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests from its headwaters downstream approximately 31 miles to the North Fork of the Clearwater River, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• (240) Cayuse Creek, Idaho
  • The segment within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests from its headwaters downstream approximately 39 miles to the confluence of Kelly Creek, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• (241) Bargamin Creek, Idaho
  • The segment within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests comprising approximately 21 miles, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• (242) Lake Creek, Idaho
  • The segment within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests from the wilderness boundary downstream approximately 10 miles to Crooked Creek, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• (243) Meadow Creek, Idaho
  • The segment within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests from its headwaters downstream approximately 34 miles to its confluence with the Selway River, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
• (244) Running Creek, Idaho

Title IV—Wildland restoration and recovery

Sec. 401. Definitions.

In this title:

• The term , with respect to any land damaged by a land management activity, means the restoration of— recovery
• The term recovery area means any area designated as a wildland recovery area by section 402(a).
• The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.

Sec. 402. Restoration and recovery.

• (a) Designation of recovery areas
  • Except as provided in subsection (b), the following areas, consisting of a total of approximately 1,023,000 acres, as depicted on the map entitled and dated April 10, 2023, are designated as wildland recovery areas: Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (2023)
    • Skyland area, consisting of approximately 10,000 acres administered by the Flathead National Forest.
    • Hungry Horse area (except Hungry Horse Dam and Reservoir), consisting of approximately 205,000 acres administered by the Flathead National Forest.
    • Lolo Creek area, consisting of approximately 59,000 acres administered by the Lolo or Clearwater National Forest.
    • Yellowstone West area, consisting of approximately 164,000 acres administered by the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
    • Mt. Leidy area, consisting of approximately 70,000 acres administered by the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
    • Cabinet/Yaak area, consisting of approximately 100,000 acres administered by the Kootenai National Forest.
    • Lightning Creek area, consisting of approximately 31,000 acres administered by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
    • Coeur d'Alene River area, consisting of approximately 372,000 acres administered by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
    • Magruder Corridor area, consisting of approximately 12,000 acres administered by the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests or Bitterroot National Forest.
• (b) Exemptions
  • Subject to subsection (c), the following roads, highways, and facilities are exempted from this title:
    • Any road that is—
    • (A)
      • (i) a private road; or
      • (ii) owned by the Federal Government, a State government, or a unit of local government (including any National Forest System road); and
      • used to access an existing, authorized use.
    • Any facility, such as a developed campground, ranger station, or other facility, that is determined to be essential by the Chief of the Forest Service.
• (c) Requirement
  • Notwithstanding subsection (b), in accordance with the plans developed under section 403, the Secretary—
    • shall recover and restore the portion of the Magruder Corridor between Magruder Crossing and Dry Saddle; and
    • may recover and restore any National Forest System road or Forest Service development or facility located in a recovery area.

Sec. 403. Management.

• (a) Restoration requirements
  • (1) In general
    • The land located within a recovery area shall be managed in a manner that, to the maximum extent practicable—
      • restores the native vegetative cover of the land;
      • reduces or eliminates invasive nonnative species;
      • facilitates native species diversity, subject to the conditions imposed by climate change;
      • stabilizes slopes and soils to prevent or reduce further erosion;
      • recontours slopes to their original contours;
      • removes barriers to natural fish spawning runs; and
      • generally restores the land to a natural roadless and wild condition.
  • (2) Water quality
    • In the management of a recovery area, special consideration shall be given to restoration of water quality.
• (b) Recovery plans
  • (1) In general
    • Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a wildland recovery plan for each recovery area.
  • (2) Inclusions
    • Each recovery plan under paragraph (1) shall include a description of the projects, activities, and funding required to achieve compliance with the requirements of this section.
• (c) Evaluation
  • The Secretary shall use measurable criteria to evaluate the success of recovery actions carried out pursuant to this section.

Title V—Implementation and monitoring

Sec. 501. Implementation report.

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries concerned shall jointly submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that—

• is prepared by a panel of independent scientists, to be appointed by the National Academy of Sciences, in consultation with the Society for Conservation Biology; and
• describes—
  • the implementation of this Act during the preceding 3-year period; and
  • any additional projects, activities, and funding required to achieve the purposes of this Act.

Sec. 502. Interagency team.

• (a) Establishment
  • The Secretaries concerned shall jointly establish an interagency team, containing an equal number of participants from the public and private sectors, to monitor, evaluate, and make recommendations to ensure achievement of the long-term results required by this Act.
• (b) Geographic information system
  • (1) Development
    • (A) In general
      • The interagency team established under subsection (a) shall develop a geographic information system for monitoring the Northern Rockies Bioregion.
    • (B) Requirement
      • The geographic information system under subparagraph (A) shall—
        • (i) be based on satellite-gathered data; and
        • (ii) include comprehensive maps and databases to assist in the detection of changes in the Northern Rockies Bioregion.
  • (2) Types of information
    • The maps and databases included in the geographic information system under paragraph (1) shall be updated periodically to record the following:
      • Vegetation cover (including a description of species occurrence and densities).
      • Human impacts.
      • Water and air quality.
      • Activities that impact forest husbandry and restoration.
  • (3) Status reports
    • The geographic information system under paragraph (1) shall include status reports regarding—
      • the progress of relevant ecosystem protection, corridor consolidation, and forest recovery efforts; and
      • relevant threatened and endangered species, which are primary indicators of ecosystem health.
• (c) Wildlife movements
  • (1) In general
    • The interagency team established under subsection (a) shall assess the potential for facilitating wildlife movement across or under major highways and rail lines within the biological corridors established under title II.
  • (2) Requirement
    • The assessment under paragraph (1) shall include an identification of major crossing points and practicable management actions to enhance the suitability of the crossing points as movement corridors, including underpasses, overpasses, and other methods for reducing the danger to native wildlife while facilitating movements within the Northern Rockies Bioregion.

Sec. 503. Roadless land evaluation.

• (a) Definition of roadless land
  • In this section, the term roadless land means land that is—
    • greater than 1,000 acres in area;
    • located within the National Forest System in the Wild Rockies Bioregion in the State of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, or Wyoming; and
    • not designated as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System under this Act or any other provision of law.
• (b) Evaluation
  • (1) In general
    • The panel of independent scientists described in section 501(1) shall—
      • subject to paragraph (2), identify and evaluate roadless land;
      • study the role of roadless land—
        • (i) in maintaining biological diversity in the Northern Rockies; and
        • (ii) as part of the overall Forest Reserve System; and
      • include in the report under section 501 recommendations regarding the management of roadless land.
  • (2) Sources of information
    • In identifying and evaluating roadless land under paragraph (1)(A), the panel shall use, in addition to other information sources, existing satellite information and geographic information system data developed by—
      • the Forest Service;
      • the Bureau of Land Management; and
      • the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
• (c) Prohibition
  • Effective beginning on the date of completion of the evaluation under subsection (b), there is prohibited on roadless land—
    • any construction or reconstruction of a new or existing road;
    • any timber harvesting (except firewood gathering); and
    • subject to valid existing rights, any oil or gas leasing, mining, or other development that impairs the natural and roadless qualities of roadless land.

Title VI—Effect of Act on Indian Tribes

Sec. 601. Rights of Indian Tribes.

Nothing in this Act affects or modifies any treaty or other right of an Indian Tribe.

Sec. 602. Federal trust responsibility.

Nothing in this Act amends, alters, or gives priority over the Federal trust responsibility to Indian Tribes.

Sec. 603. Exemption from Freedom of Information Act.

If a Federal department or agency receives any information relating to a sacred site or cultural activity identified by an Indian Tribe as confidential, the information shall be exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the ). Freedom of Information Act

Sec. 604. Application of Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.

The Secretary of the Interior may apply the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act () as the Secretary determines to be appropriate in carrying out this Act. 25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.

Sec. 605. Tribal use of protected areas.

• (a) Definition of protected area
  • In this section, the term protected area means land designated under this Act as—
    • a wilderness area;
    • a recovery area;
    • a wild or scenic river; or
    • a biological corridor.
• (b) Access to protected areas
  • (1) In general
    • In recognition of the past use of portions of protected areas by Indians for traditional cultural and religious purposes, the Secretaries concerned shall ensure nonexclusive access by Indians to any applicable protected area for such a traditional cultural or religious purpose.
  • (2) Consistency with applicable law
    • The access under paragraph (1) shall be consistent with the purposes and intent of—
      • Public Law 95–341 (commonly known as the ) (); and American Indian Religious Freedom Act 42 U.S.C. 1996
      • in the case of any protected area designated as wilderness under this Act, the Wilderness Act (). 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.
  • (3) Closing to public
    • The Secretaries concerned, in accordance with the provisions of law referred to in paragraph (2) and on receipt of a request from an Indian Tribe, from time to time may temporarily close to the general public 1 or more specific portions of a protected area to protect the privacy of a religious activity or cultural use by an Indian.
  • (4) Recommendations from Indian Tribes
    • In preparing a management plan for a protected area, the Secretaries concerned shall request that the head of each applicable Tribal government submit to the Secretaries concerned recommendations with respect to—
      • ensuring access by Indians to important sites;
      • enhancing the privacy of Indian traditional cultural and religious activities; and
      • protecting Indian cultural and religious sites.

Title VII—Effect of Act on water rights

Sec. 701. Water rights.

Nothing in this Act relinquishes or reduces any water right reserved, appropriated, or otherwise secured by the United States in the State of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, or Wyoming on or before the date of enactment of this Act.

• Certain Federal land within the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprising approximately 134,761 acres, identified as on the Map, is incorporated in, and shall be administered as part of, the Gros Ventre Wilderness. Gros Ventre Additions

• The segment within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests comprising approximately 20 miles, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.