Ryan Zinke (R-MT)
Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, called the "Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act," adds specific parts of the Madison River, Gallatin River, Hyalite Creek, Cabin Creek, and the Middle Fork of Cabin Creek in Montana to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. It aims to protect the natural values of these waters for future generations. The act ensures that existing water rights and hydropower operations at the Hebgen and Madison Dams are not negatively impacted. It also protects private property rights by requiring owner consent for land acquisition.
Yes· 3 of 22
- Scored +8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Designates multiple river segments as Wild and Scenic, providing high-level environmental protection.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
Improves management of federal public lands by adding segments to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
- Scored +6
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Acknowledges and protects the use of these streams for Tribal cultural purposes, gathering, and fishing.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Environmental and Recreational Protection: The bill protects clean water, fish, wildlife, and recreational opportunities like fishing, hiking, and paddling for the people of Montana and visitors (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Economic Support: Recreational activities on these streams and surrounding lands generate billions of dollars for Montana's economy (Section 2(a)(3)).
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Agricultural Support: The bill recognizes that Montana's multi-billion-dollar agricultural industry relies on clean water from these headwaters streams on Federal public land (Section 2(a)(4)).
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Cultural Preservation: The bill acknowledges the long-standing use of these streams by Indian Tribes for cultural purposes, including gathering, fishing, and hunting (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Clean Energy: The bill supports the continued generation of 12 MW of carbon free hydropower from the Hebgen and Madison Dams (Section 2(a)(5)).
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Property and Access Rights: The bill is designed to preserve public access and respect private property rights (Section 2(a)(7)(A)-(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Development Limits: The Hebgen and Madison Developments are prohibited from expanding into the designated covered segments (Section 3(d)(4)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — Ensures the continued availability of clean water originating from federal headwaters. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Acknowledges and protects the use of these streams for Tribal cultural purposes, gathering, and fishing. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Supports the local agricultural and tourism-based economy in rural Montana. Would business owners be better off under this? — Supports businesses tied to tourism, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Provides recreational opportunities and supports local economic stability. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Protects natural heritage and recreational access. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Increases opportunities for outdoor recreation and associated employment. Would children be better off under this? — Preserves natural resources and recreational areas for future generations. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Protects natural amenities and recreational value of the region. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Protects recreational spaces for leisure and tourism. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increases access to free or low-cost public outdoor recreation. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Provides destination recreation for visitors from outside the region.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Designates multiple river segments as Wild and Scenic, providing high-level environmental protection. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Improves management of federal public lands by adding segments to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Does this invest in rural communities? — Supports rural Montana's economy through tourism and clean water for agriculture. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — Specifically allows for the maintenance and safety improvements of existing roads and bridges. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — Supports the continuation of hydropower generation. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Protects and maintains existing carbon-free hydropower generation.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Supports a multi-billion dollar recreation and tourism economy in Montana. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Boosts demand for local guide services, hospitality, and outdoor retail businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — Increased tourism and recreation activities typically support local jobs in the outdoor industry.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases federal oversight through the designation of rivers into a national system.
- 9/2/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.