American Rivers Action Fund “Emphatically Supports” New Wild and Scenic River Bill for Nearly a Hundred Miles of Montana Rivers

July 29, 2025

Contact: Hawk Hammer, Senior Strategist for American Rivers Action Fund, Hhammer@americanrivers.org

Bozeman, MT — American Rivers Action Fund is today, announcing its emphatic support for the Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement and Tourism Act which would protect nearly a hundred miles of Montana’s most impressive rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act — notably one of the strongest protections a riverway can get at the federal level.

Introduced by Rep. Zinke (R-MT), the bill includes segments of the Gallatin River, the Madison River and several tributaries.

“Our lives are deeply connected with our nation’s rivers and the ecosystems they support,” said Tom Kiernan, president and CEO of American Rivers Action Fund. “By protecting rivers, we safeguard clean water sources, preserve recreational opportunities and support access to our public lands. Each mile added to the Wild and Scenic River system is an investment in our shared future and this bill is a major down payment. We appreciate Representative Zinke’s leadership on this bill and encourage its swift passage.”

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was passed with bipartisan support in Congress in 1968 and protects rivers by preserving their natural, cultural and recreational values and keeps them in a free-flowing condition for future use. Currently, more than 13,000 river miles on 228 rivers are protected under the Act — a small fraction of the nationwide total miles of rivers.

Other recent Wild and Scenic River designations included 20 miles of the East Rosebud Creek in Montana, 40.3 miles of the Housatonic River in Connecticut and the Whitewater River in California.

The mission of the American Rivers Action Fund is to build a bipartisan River Majority and advance wins for clean, safe water and healthy rivers for people and wildlife.