Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Montana Headwaters Legacy Act”.
Montana Headwaters Legacy Act
A BILL
To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain streams in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem and Smith River system in the State of Montana as components of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Findings; purpose
Findings— Congress finds that—
the streams designated as components of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System by the amendment made by section 4(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;
Indian Tribes have used the streams referred to in paragraph (1) for hunting, fishing, gathering, and other cultural purposes since time immemorial;
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;
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;
the streams referred to in paragraph (1)—
are national treasures;
possess outstandingly remarkable values; and
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
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 recognize the importance of maintaining the values of each stream while—
preserving public access;
respecting private property rights;
allowing appropriate maintenance of existing infrastructure; and
allowing historical uses to continue.
Purpose— The purpose of this Act is to designate certain segments and tributaries of the Missouri River and Yellowstone River Headwaters 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 Definitions
In this Act:
Covered segment— The term covered segment means a river segment designated by paragraphs (231) through (247) of section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) (as added by section 4(a)).
Indian Tribe— The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term Indian tribe in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
Secretary concerned— The term Secretary concerned means—
the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to a covered segment under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior; and
the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to a covered segment under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture.
State— The term State means the State of Montana.
Sec. 4 Designation of wild and scenic river segments
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:
“(231) Smith river, montana—The portion of the Smith River consisting of the approximately 24-mile segment from the confluence of Tenderfoot Creek downstream to the confluence of Deep Creek, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a scenic river.
“(232) Tenderfoot creek, montana—The portion of Tenderfoot Creek consisting of the approximately 21-mile segment from the confluence with Iron Mines Creek downstream to the confluence with the Smith River, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a scenic river.
“(233) Gallatin river, montana—The portion of the Gallatin River in the State of Montana consisting of the approximately 39-mile segment 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.
“(234) Hyalite creek, montana—The portion of Hyalite Creek consisting of the approximately 6-mile segment from the source in the Gallatin Range downstream to Hyalite Reservoir, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a scenic river.
“(235) Taylor creek, montana—The portion of Taylor Creek consisting of—
“(A) the approximately 3-mile segment from the source in the Madison Range downstream to the Lee Metcalf Wilderness boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river; and
“(B) the approximately 15-mile segment from the Lee Metcalf Wilderness boundary downstream to the Gallatin River, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a recreational river, with the boundary of the corridor flowing through the private land of Nine Quarter Circle Ranch being the ordinary high water mark.
“(236) Madison river, montana—The portions of the Madison River in the State of Montana, consisting of—
“(A) the approximately 2-mile segment from the Yellowstone National Park boundary to the inlet in the Madison arm of Hebgen Lake, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a scenic river;
“(B) the approximately 11-mile segment from 2,000 feet downstream of the Hebgen Lake Dam downstream to the confluence of the West Fork Madison River, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a recreational river;
“(C) the approximately 7-mile segment from 800 feet downstream of Madison Dam Powerhouse downstream to the Lee Metcalf Wilderness boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a wild river; and
“(D) the approximately 7-mile segment from the Lee Metcalf Wilderness Boundary downstream to the Bureau of Land Management boundary at the Black’s Ford Fishing Access Site, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a recreational river.
“(237) Bear creek, montana—The portions of Bear Creek consisting of—
“(A) the approximately 2-mile segment from the source downstream to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river; and
“(B) the approximately 7-mile segment from the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary to the confluence with the Yellowstone River, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a recreational river.
“(238) Boulder river, montana—The portions of the Boulder River consisting of—
“(A) the approximately 3-mile segment from the source in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness downstream to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river; and
“(B) the approximately 30-mile segment from the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary downstream to the Custer Gallatin National Forest boundary downstream of Natural Bridge Falls, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a recreational river.
“(239) Hellroaring creek, montana—The portion of Hellroaring Creek consisting of the approximately 19-mile segment from the source in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness downstream to the Custer Gallatin National Forest boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river.
“(240) Lake fork rock creek, montana—The portions of Lake Fork Rock Creek consisting of—
“(A) the approximately 11-mile segment from the source in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness downstream to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river; and
“(B) the approximately 2-mile segment from the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary to the confluence with Rock Creek, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a recreational river.
“(241) Rock creek, montana—The portion of Rock Creek in the State of Montana consisting of the approximately 14-mile segment from the border between the States of Montana and Wyoming to the Custer Gallatin National Forest boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a recreational river.
“(242) Slough creek, montana—The portion of Slough Creek consisting of the approximately 19-mile segment from the source in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness downstream to the Custer Gallatin National Forest boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river.
“(243) Stillwater river, montana—The portions of the Stillwater River consisting of—
“(A) the approximately 26-mile segment from the source in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness downstream to the Wilderness boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river; and
“(B) the approximately 3-mile segment from the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary downstream to Flume Creek, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a recreational river.
“(244) West boulder river, montana—The portion of the West Boulder River consisting of the approximately 11-mile segment from the source in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness downstream to the Wilderness boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river.
“(245) West fork stillwater river, montana—The portion of the West Fork Stillwater River consisting of the approximately 14-mile segment from the source in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness downstream to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river.
“(246) West fork of rock creek, montana—The portions of West Fork of Rock Creek consisting of—
“(A) the approximately 9-mile segment from the source in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness downstream to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river; and
“(B) the approximately 11-mile segment from the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary downstream to the Custer Gallatin National Forest boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a recreational river.
“(247) Yellowstone river, montana—The portion of the Yellowstone River in the State of Montana, consisting of the approximately 18-mile segment from the Yellowstone National Park boundary in Gardiner, Montana, downstream to the confluence with Tom Miner Creek, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a recreational river.”
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 concerned without the consent of the owner of the land or interest in land.
Effect of designations— Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act affects valid existing rights, including—
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);
water rights in the State; and
water rights held by the United States.
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).