Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4870
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-01: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:08:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act (H.R. 4870) aims to protect and preserve specific river segments in Montana's Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem by designating them as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This designation highlights their "outstandingly remarkable values," such as clean water, wildlife, scenic beauty, and recreational opportunities, while ensuring these benefits continue for future generations. The Act emphasizes maintaining public access, respecting private property, and allowing ongoing uses like infrastructure maintenance and emergencies.
Key Provisions
- River Designations: Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to add five specific river segments in Montana:
- Madison River: Approximately 42 miles from Cabin Creek confluence to the Bureau of Land Management boundary near Cherry Creek (classified as "recreational," meaning it allows some development like roads or bridges while protecting natural qualities).
- Gallatin River: Approximately 39.5 miles from Yellowstone National Park boundary to Spanish Creek confluence (recreational).
- Hyalite Creek: Approximately 4.6 miles from source in Gallatin Range to Grotto Falls Trailhead (scenic, meaning more natural with minimal development).
- Cabin Creek: Approximately 7.3 miles from source in Madison Range to above the fish barrier (scenic).
- Middle Fork of Cabin Creek: Approximately 5.1 miles from source in Madison Range to confluence with Cabin Creek (scenic).
- All segments are to be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture (primarily through the U.S. Forest Service).
- Land Acquisition Limits: The federal government cannot buy land or property interests within these segments without the owner's consent.
- Water Rights Protection: The designations do not change existing water rights, including those under federal, tribal, state laws, or interstate agreements (e.g., compacts for sharing water between states).
- Dam and Hydropower Compatibility:
- Existing Hebgen Dam and Reservoir and Madison Dam and Reservoir (outside the segments) remain unaffected; their operations, including 12 megawatts of carbon-free hydropower, continue as licensed.
- The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) can still license, renew, or authorize these facilities under the Federal Power Act, but expansions cannot enter the protected segments.
- Allows potential addition of hydropower to Hebgen Dam without restrictions from this Act.
- Funding: Authorizes Congress to provide necessary funds to implement the Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds new paragraphs (233–237) to Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (a 1968 law that protects free-flowing rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, or recreational values by limiting development).
- Clarifies that FERC's authority under the Federal Power Act (not the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act's stricter Section 7(a)) governs licensing for the specified dams, providing more flexibility for hydropower operations.
- Explicitly protects private property and existing infrastructure, which is not always detailed in prior designations, to balance conservation with local needs.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (via Forest Service) gains responsibility for managing these segments, including monitoring and enforcement. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and FERC may see minor administrative overlaps but no major new burdens, as existing dam operations are preserved.
- Citizens: Enhances protection for recreational activities (e.g., fishing, hiking, camping) that support Montana's tourism economy (generating billions annually). Farmers and ranchers benefit from safeguarded clean water sources for agriculture. Local communities gain preserved natural assets without forced land changes.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, though the designations could attract more global visitors to the Yellowstone area, boosting U.S. tourism indirectly.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Local Residents and Visitors: Montanans and tourists who use these rivers for recreation, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
- Indian Tribes: Long-time users of the streams for cultural practices like hunting and gathering; their rights are explicitly protected.
- Private Landowners: Protected from non-consensual federal land buys, maintaining property rights.
- Agricultural Sector: Relies on headwater streams for clean water; the Act supports this multi-billion-dollar industry.
- Federal Agencies: U.S. Forest Service (primary manager), BLM (boundary involvement), and FERC (dam oversight).
- Energy Producers: Operators of Hebgen and Madison Dams retain full operational flexibility.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act's framework by tailoring protections to avoid conflicts with water rights (a key state-federal issue) and energy laws, reducing potential lawsuits over takings or resource use. The consent requirement for land aligns with property protection principles.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; it respects Fifth Amendment property rights by prohibiting non-consensual acquisitions and preserves states' water management roles under the Tenth Amendment.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan environmental goals (conservation and recreation) while addressing rural concerns like agriculture and energy, potentially aiding economic development in Montana without broad regulatory overreach. Introduced by Rep. Zinke (R-MT), it reflects regional priorities for the Greater Yellowstone area.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-01: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-08-01: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-01: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act — issued 2025-08-01 — PDF (8 pages)