H.R. 5102

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5102 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5102

To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain streams in 
the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in the State of Montana as components 
of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 2, 2025

Mr. Zinke introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain streams in 
the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in the State of Montana as components 
of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Greater Yellowstone Recreation 
Enhancement And Tourism Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the streams designated as components of the Wild and 
Scenic Rivers System by the amendment made by section 3(a) are 
cherished by the people of the State of Montana and visitors 
from across the United States and around the world for their 
clean water, abundant fish and wildlife, spectacular natural 
settings, and outstanding recreational opportunities;
(2) Indian Tribes have used the streams referred to in 
paragraph (1) for hunting, fishing, gathering, and other 
cultural purposes since time immemorial;
(3) recreational activities (including fishing, hunting, 
camping, paddling, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, horseback 
riding, and wildlife watching) on the streams referred to in 
paragraph (1) and the surrounding land generate billions of 
dollars annually for the economy of the State of Montana;
(4) the multi-billion-dollar agricultural industry in the 
State of Montana thrives on the availability of clean water 
that originates in headwaters streams on Federal public land;
(5) facilities on the Madison River, the Hebgen and Madison 
Dams, have been integral in improving and maintaining fish 
populations, enabling its blue-ribbon fishery values, while 
generating 12 MW of carbon free hydropower;
(6) the streams referred to in paragraph (1)--
(A) are national treasures;
(B) possess outstandingly remarkable values; and
(C) merit the high level of protection afforded by 
the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) 
in order to maintain the benefits provided by the 
streams described in paragraphs (1) through (3) for 
future generations to enjoy; and
(7) designation of select public land segments of the 
streams referred to in paragraph (1) under the Wild and Scenic 
Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) would maintain the 
outstandingly remarkable values of each stream while--
(A) preserving public access;
(B) respecting private property rights;
(C) allowing appropriate maintenance of existing 
infrastructure, including major repairs and safety 
improvements to roads and bridges;
(D) allowing for emergency intervention; and
(E) allowing historical uses to continue.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to designate certain 
segments of the Gallatin, Madison, and Yellowstone Rivers and their 
select tributaries in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in the State of 
Montana as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System to 
preserve and protect for present and future generations the 
outstandingly remarkable values of each stream and tributary.

SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVER SEGMENTS.

(a) In General.--Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 
U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(233) Madison river, montana.--The approximately 42-mile 
segment of the Madison River in the State of Montana from the 
confluence of Cabin Creek downstream to the point at which the 
river leaves Bureau of Land Management land at the north 
boundary of T. 8 S., R. 1 W., sec. 10, approximately 1 mile 
north of the confluence of Cherry Creek, to be administered by 
the Secretary of Agriculture as a recreational river.
``(234) Gallatin river, montana.--The approximately 39.5-
mile segment of the Gallatin River in the State of Montana from 
the Yellowstone National Park boundary downstream to the 
confluence of Spanish Creek, to be administered by the 
Secretary of Agriculture as a recreational river.
``(235) Hyalite creek, montana.--The approximately 4.6-mile 
segment of Hyalite Creek in the State of Montana from the 
source in the Gallatin Range downstream to Grotto Falls 
Trailhead, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture 
as a scenic river.
``(236) Cabin creek, montana.--The approximately 7.3-mile 
segment of Cabin Creek in the State of Montana from the source 
in the Madison Range downstream to above the fish barrier, to 
be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a scenic 
river.
``(237) Middle fork of cabin creek, montana.--The 
approximately 5.1-mile segment of the Middle Fork of Cabin 
Creek in the State of Montana from the source in the Madison 
Range downstream to the confluence with Cabin Creek, to be 
administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a scenic 
river.''.
(b) Consent of Owner of Land Required.--No land or interest in land 
located within the boundary of a covered segment may be acquired by the 
Secretary of Agriculture without the consent of the owner of the land 
or interest in land.
(c) Effect of Designations on Water Rights.--Nothing in this Act or 
an amendment made by this Act affects valid existing rights, 
including--
(1) Federal, Tribal, and interstate water compacts in 
existence on the date of enactment of this Act (including full 
development of any apportionment made in accordance with the 
compacts);
(2) water rights in the State of Montana; and
(3) water rights held by the United States.
(d) Effect of Designations on Hebgen and Madison Developments.--
(1) Hebgen dam and reservoir and madison dam and 
reservoir.--The Hebgen Dam and Reservoir and the Madison Dam 
and Reservoir are located entirely outside of the covered 
segments, and these dams (including all aspects of their 
facilities and operations) are compatible with the designation 
made by the amendments made by subsection (a).
(2) Effects on current and future hydroelectric 
facilities.--
(A) In general.--The designation of the river 
segments by the amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
not--
(i) impact or alter the existing terms of 
permitting, licensing, or operation of--
(I) the Hebgen Dam located on the 
Upper Madison River in Montana (FERC P-
2188); or
(II) the Madison Dam located near 
Ennis, Montana (FERC P-2188); or
(ii) preclude the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission from licensing, relicensing, or 
otherwise authorizing the operation or 
continued operation of the facilities named in 
clause (i).
(B) Hydropower generation.--Nothing in this Act 
abrogates adding hydropower generation facilities to 
the Hebgen Dam.
(3) Licensing and expansion.--Notwithstanding Section 7(a) 
of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, section 4(e) of the Federal 
Power Act shall govern the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
consideration of licenses, relicenses, or expansion of the 
Hebgen and Madison Developments.
(4) Limitation.--The Hebgen and Madison Developments shall 
not be expanded to the area within the covered segments.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act, 
including the amendments made by this Act.
(f) Covered Segment Defined.--The term ``covered segment'' means a 
river segment designated by paragraphs (233) through (237) of section 
3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) (as amended 
by subsection (a) of this section).
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