The bill would add five Montana river segments in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. It covers parts of the Madison and Gallatin Rivers as recreational rivers, and Hyalite Creek, Cabin Creek, and the Middle Fork of Cabin Creek as scenic rivers. The Secretary of Agriculture would administer the designated segments.
The bill says land within a covered segment could not be acquired without the landowner’s consent. It also protects existing water rights and says the designations would not change the terms or operation of the Hebgen and Madison dams or prevent certain future federal authorizations for them. The dams could not be expanded into the designated segments.
The designations are intended to protect the rivers’ stated natural and recreational values. The bill’s findings say public access and historical uses would continue, while respecting private property rights. It does not set out specific changes to recreation rules or access.
The bill authorizes appropriations of amounts considered necessary to carry it out, but does not specify a dollar amount.
The bill’s findings describe the rivers as important for clean water, fish and wildlife, recreation, tribal cultural uses, agriculture, and tourism. They say designation would protect these values for future generations while allowing existing infrastructure maintenance and emergency work.
No publicly available information.