Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act
H.R. 5102, the Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act, would amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate specific segments of five waterways in Montana’s Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem—the Madison River, Gallatin River, Hyalite Creek, Cabin Creek, and the Middle Fork of Cabin Creek—as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Portions of the Madison and Gallatin would be designated as recreational rivers, while Hyalite Creek and the Cabin Creek segments would be designated as scenic rivers. The designations would be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture (i.e., the U.S. Forest Service) and would seek to protect outstandingly remarkable values, maintain public access, respect private property, and allow for maintenance of existing infrastructure. The bill also reaffirms that existing water rights and dam operations (notably Hebgen and Madison Dams) are not affected and sets conditions for land acquisition, licensing, and funding. The measure is framed around preserving clean water, fisheries, wildlife, and recreational opportunities that support Montana’s economy, while balancing private property rights and existing infrastructure. It anticipates ongoing coordination with hydropower facilities and does not authorize expansion of the nearby Hebgen and Madison Developments into the designated segments. It authorizes appropriations as needed to implement the designation.
Key Points
- 1Designation of five Montana stream segments as Wild and Scenic Rivers: approximately 42 miles of the Madison River, 39.5 miles of the Gallatin River, about 4.6 miles of Hyalite Creek, about 7.3 miles of Cabin Creek, and about 5.1 miles of the Middle Fork of Cabin Creek; the segments are to be managed as either recreational or scenic rivers by the Secretary of Agriculture.
- 2Segments designated as: Madison River (recreational), Gallatin River (recreational), Hyalite Creek (scenic), Cabin Creek (scenic), and Middle Fork of Cabin Creek (scenic).
- 3Landowner consent: no land or interest in land within a covered segment may be acquired without the owner’s consent.
- 4Water rights preserved: the act does not affect existing Federal, Tribal, interstate, or Montana water rights or water compacts, nor rights held by the United States.
- 5Hydropower and existing dams: Hebgen and Madison developments remain outside the covered segments; their licensing, permits, and operations are not precluded, and the act does not force expansion into the designated areas. Licensing considerations under the Federal Power Act continue to apply for these facilities.
- 6Funding and administration: appropriations are authorized as needed to implement the act; administration of the designated segments falls to the Secretary of Agriculture (i.e., the U.S. Forest Service/National Forest System lands).