HR 4870119th CongressIn Committee

Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act

Introduced: Aug 1, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1] (R-Montana)

Environment & ClimateInfrastructure

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

H.R. 4870, the Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act, would amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate five streams in Montana’s Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The designated segments include parts of the Madison River, Gallatin River, Hyalite Creek, Cabin Creek, and the Middle Fork of Cabin Creek. The act classifies these segments as recreational or scenic rivers and directs that they be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. It preserves existing water rights, private property rights (land acquisition requires landowner consent), and the operation of nearby hydro facilities. The bill also clarifies that these designations should not hinder current or future hydropower licensing or expansion unless otherwise permitted, and it authorizes funding to carry out the act. The overall aim is to protect the streams’ outstanding values (water quality, fisheries, scenery, recreation) while maintaining access, private property rights, and ongoing infrastructure operations. The measure emphasizes economic benefits from recreation and tourism, Tribal uses, and the importance of clean headwaters, while ensuring compatibility with existing dams and water uses.

Key Points

1Designation of five Montana streams as Wild and Scenic River segments:
2- Madison River (about 42 miles) from Cabin Creek confluence downstream to a point near the north boundary of a Bureau of Land Management area, designated as a recreational river.
3- Gallatin River (about 39.5 miles) from Yellowstone National Park boundary downstream to Spanish Creek confluence, designated as a recreational river.
4- Hyalite Creek (about 4.6 miles) from its source to Grotto Falls Trailhead, designated as a scenic river.
5- Cabin Creek (about 7.3 miles) from the source to above a fish barrier, designated as a scenic river.
6- Middle Fork of Cabin Creek (about 5.1 miles) from its source to its confluence with Cabin Creek, designated as a scenic river.
7Administration and land rights:
8- All designated land within the covered segments would be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
9- Land or interests in land within the segments cannot be acquired without the landowner’s consent.
10Water rights and existing infrastructure:
11- The act preserves existing water rights and federal/state water compacts.
12- It states that Hebgen Dam/Reservoir and Madison Dam/Reservoir are outside the covered segments but compatible with designation; it preserves current licensing terms under FERC and allows for potential hydropower considerations consistent with the Federal Power Act.
13- No expansion of the Hebgen or Madison Developments into the covered segments is allowed.
14Funding and implementation:
15- Authorization of appropriations to carry out the act and its amendments.
16Public access, property rights, and uses:
17- The designation aims to preserve public access, respect private property rights, allow maintenance of existing infrastructure, permit emergency interventions, and allow historical uses to continue.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected:- Recreation and tourism economy in the Greater Yellowstone region of Montana, including users of fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing.Secondary group/area affected:- Private landowners and local communities along the designated streams, who retain property rights and must consent to land acquisition.- Federal land management and forest/service agencies (Secretary of Agriculture) administering the segments.Additional impacts:- Tribes with cultural ties to the streams may continue traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering practices; the findings underscore tribal uses and cultural significance.- Hydropower facilities and licensing processes (FERC) are acknowledged; designation does not automatically change licenses but could influence future licensing decisions under the Federal Power Act.- Environmental and conservation protections are enhanced for the designated segments, potentially affecting future development and infrastructure projects within or near those segments.- Overall, the bill seeks to balance conservation with continued access and use, potentially shaping land management, recreation planning, and regional development in and around the Greater Yellowstone area.

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