What does Preamble of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025 do?

This bill, formally titled 'To designate certain National Forest System land and certain public land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture in the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, wildland recovery areas, and biological connecting corridors, and for other purposes,' aims to designate specific lands as wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, wildland recovery areas, and biological connecting corridors. The designated lands are located within the National Forest System and public lands managed by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture. The bill's scope includes the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

What does FINDINGS. of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section outlines findings related to undeveloped National Forest System land, National Park System land, and Bureau of Land Management land within the Northern Rockies Bioregion. The Northern Rockies Bioregion is described as containing a diverse array of wildland, providing a sanctuary for threatened and endangered species, and encompassing significant ecosystems. The section emphasizes the importance of conserving roadless areas on public land for clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, and sustainable economic opportunities. Headwaters of major river systems within the Bioregion are recognized for their economic importance and potential for enhanced uses if protected. Wildlife habitat fragmentation due to various activities is identified as negatively impacting wildlife populations, water quality, and ecosystems. The findings highlight the need for an ecological reserve system with core ecosystem areas and biological connecting corridors to ensure wildlife movement and carbon storage. The section notes that the economic value of public land in its natural state often exceeds potential returns from resource extraction. Federal land rehabilitation projects are presented as opportunities for employment, support for local businesses, and restoration of economic and social benefits. The text acknowledges that some public land areas have been damaged by unwise development practices and require restoration efforts. This Act is stated not to affect private existing rights.

What does PURPOSES. of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025 do?

This Act designates certain National Forest System land, National Park System land, and Bureau of Land Management land in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It also designates certain land and watercourses in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Act prioritizes areas for wildland recovery to restore biological diversity and native species. It establishes a system of biological connecting corridors between core ecosystems in the Northern Rockies Bioregion and ecologically significant wildland to the south. Designations are intended to promote wilderness character, protect water quality and wildlife habitats, and protect ecological integrity. The Act aims to protect biological and native species diversity and dispersal throughout the Northern Rockies Bioregion. It promotes interagency cooperation in ecosystem management and protection, based on conservation biology principles. The Act seeks to preserve scenic, historic, and cultural resources and promote scientific research and recreation. It aims to avoid misinvestment in land of marginal timber value and promote ecologically and economically sustainable management in the Northern Rockies Bioregion.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. “Corridor” is defined as an area facilitating wildlife movement for migration, gene flow, dispersal, or in response to climate change impacts. “Development” means an activity eliminating roadless and wilderness characteristics, including ski resorts, road building, timber harvesting, mining, and oil/gas drilling. “Greater ecosystem” refers to a large ecological land unit supporting populations of large vertebrate species or contiguous with habitat of listed species like grizzly bears, lynx, or caribou. “Habitat” is defined as the physical properties used by fish, wildlife, or plants for survival. “Indian Tribe” is defined according to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. “Northern Rockies Bioregion” refers to a specific portion of the Northern Rocky Mountains in several states, as depicted on maps within the Act. “Public land” is defined according to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. “Secretary concerned” designates either the Secretary of Agriculture (for National Forest System land) or the Secretary of the Interior (for National Park System land and public land).

What does PURPOSE. of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025 do?

This title designates specific land within the National Forest System, National Park System, and Bureau of Land Management in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. The designated land will be designated as wilderness and become components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. This designation is intended to further the purposes of the Wilderness Act.

What does GREATER GLACIER/NORTHERN CONTINENTAL DIVIDE ECOSYSTEM. of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section designates land as wilderness to protect the Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide ecosystem. Approximately 429,647 acres of Federal land within the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and Lolo National Forest, and public land administered by the Lewistown Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management, are incorporated into the Bob Marshall, Great Bear, or Scapegoat Wilderness. Approximately 352,025 acres of Federal land within the Flathead National Forest are incorporated into the Bob Marshall or Great Bear Wilderness. Approximately 24,295 acres of Federal land within the Flathead National Forest are incorporated into the Great Bear Wilderness. Approximately 22,086 acres of Federal land within the Flathead National Forest are incorporated into the Great Bear Wilderness. Approximately 29,000 acres of Federal land within the Lolo National Forest and Flathead National Forest are incorporated into the Mission Mountains Wilderness. Several new wilderness areas are designated as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, including the Glacier, Sawtooth Ridge, Tuchuck, Le Beau, Ten Lakes, Coal Ridge, Standard Peak, Demers, Lincoln Gulch, Anaconda Hill, Devil Mountain, Specimen Creek, Nevada Mountain, Crater Mountain, Chamberlain Mountain, and Badger-Two Medicine Wilderness. The Glacier Wilderness encompasses approximately 925,000 acres within Glacier National Park.

What does GREATER YELLOWSTONE ECOSYSTEM. of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section designates various Federal lands within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as wilderness areas. The designations are based on a map entitled 'Greater Yellowstone' dated April 10, 2023. Numerous wilderness additions are established within existing wilderness areas, including Absaroka-Beartooth, North Absaroka, Washakie, Fitzpatrick, Teton, Gros Ventre, Bridger, Popo Agie, Jedediah Smith, and Lee Metcalf Wilderness areas. Several new wilderness areas are also designated, such as Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Snowcrest, Freezeout Mountain, Lone Butte, Black Butte, Big Horn Mountain, Vigilante, Cherry Lakes, Axolotl, Yankee Jim, Gallatin Range, Garnit Mountain, Lionhead, Deep Lake, Monument Ridge, and Garns Mountain Wilderness areas. The designations also include areas within Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

What does GREATER SALMON/SELWAY ECOSYSTEM. of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section designates certain Federal land as wilderness to protect the greater Salmon/Selway ecosystem. The designations include additions to existing wilderness areas such as the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, Gospel-Hump Wilderness, Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Sawtooth Wilderness, and Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness. New wilderness areas are also established, including the Great Burn (Hoodoo) Wilderness, Meadow Creek/Upper North Fork Wilderness, and numerous others within the Great Burn Wildlands Complex and the Little Slate Creek Wildlands Complex. The designations are based on a map entitled ‘Greater Salmon Selway’ dated April 10, 2023. The land designated comprises approximately 746,149 acres within the Payette National Forest, Boise National Forest, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Bitterroot National Forest, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, and public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

What does GREATER CABINET-YAAK-SELKIRK ECOSYSTEM. of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section designates various Federal lands as wilderness areas within the Greater Cabinet-Yaak-Selkirk ecosystem. The designations include additions to existing wilderness areas like the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness and the Salmo-Priest Wilderness. Numerous new wilderness areas are established, including Skyline Mountain Wilderness, Galena Creek Wilderness, and Berray Mountain Wilderness, among others. These designations apply to Federal land within the Kootenai National Forest, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Colville National Forest, and Lolo National Forest. The areas are identified and defined by reference to Maps 1 and 2, both dated April 10, 2023.

What does GREATER HELLS CANYON ECOSYSTEM. of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section designates land as wilderness to protect the Greater Hells Canyon ecosystem. Approximately 364,895 acres are incorporated into or added to existing wilderness areas, including Hells Canyon, Eagle Cap, and Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. Several new wilderness areas are established, including Willow Springs, Asotin Creek, Spangler, Wenatchee Creek, Walla Walla River, Grand Ronde, Lake Fork, Gumboot Butte, Homestead, Black Canyon, Lookingglass, Joseph Canyon, Tope Creek, Cottonwood-Broady Creek, Lick Creek, Bear Gulch, Big and Little Sheep Creek, Echo Canyon, Sheep Gulch, and Flat Creek Wilderness. These designations involve Federal land within the Payette, Nez Perce-Clearwater, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, as well as public land administered by the Baker Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management. Map 1 and Map 2 are referenced to identify the specific areas designated as wilderness.

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Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2025

Last updated: 3/27/2025 · Introduced: 3/27/2025

Author: Madeleine Dean (D-PA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill designates specific areas within National Forests and public lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, wildland recovery areas, and biological connecting corridors.
It establishes a system of biological connecting corridors to facilitate wildlife movement and carbon storage between core ecosystems in the Northern Rockies Bioregion.
The bill prioritizes the restoration of damaged public lands, aiming to restore natural conditions and undeveloped character through wildland recovery areas.
It designates approximately 2,900,000 acres as biological connecting corridors, restricting activities like timber harvesting and new road construction within these areas.
The bill amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to add numerous rivers in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

119th Congressin committeeS. 1198(In Committee)Official page

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