Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

Summary#

This bill would designate large areas of Federal public land in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as parts of the National Wilderness Preservation System, as wild and scenic rivers, as biological connecting corridors, and as wildland recovery areas. It names many specific wilderness additions and new wilderness units, describes about 2,900,000 acres for biological connecting corridors, and about 1,023,000 acres for recovery areas. The bill requires special management for corridors (for example, no new road construction or even-aged timber harvesting, and limits on mining, oil, and gas, subject to valid existing rights) and sets a goal to reduce road density. It reserves water rights needed to meet wilderness purposes and allows people to donate grazing permits so grazing can end on donated lands. The bill directs restoration projects, recovery plans, an independent scientific implementation report within 3 years, an interagency monitoring team, a satellite-based geographic information system, and an evaluation and protection of remaining roadless National Forest lands. It also affirms tribal rights and provides for tribal access to protected areas.

What it means for you#

• If you visit or live near the named Federal lands, the areas designated as wilderness and corridors would face stricter limits on new roads, major logging methods, and new mining or oil and gas development on Federal land.
• The bill does not change private property or require private landowners to comply; private owners can join cooperative agreements only if they agree.
• The bill calls for restoration work and recovery projects in damaged areas. That work could include on-the-ground projects, planning, and monitoring.
• Tribal treaty and other tribal rights are left unchanged, and Tribes can have access for traditional cultural and religious uses.

Expenses#

The bill requires reports, recovery plans, restoration projects, monitoring systems, an interagency team, and possible land trades or acquisitions. The bill text does not include specific funding amounts or cost estimates. No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The bill text states its goals and reasons. It says the Northern Rockies contain important, diverse wildlands and headwaters for major rivers. Designations and corridor protection are intended to keep ecosystems intact, protect water quality and native fish and wildlife, support wildlife movement and gene flow (especially as climate changes), and prevent further fragmentation from roads and development. The bill also says restoration work will help damaged areas, create outdoor trade jobs and local contracts, and support long-term ecological and economic benefits.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.