What does Preamble of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'A BILL 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 in five states. The designated lands will be categorized as wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers, wildland recovery areas, and biological connecting corridors. The bill's jurisdiction extends to National Forest System land and public land managed by the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture.

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

This section outlines findings related to undeveloped National Forest System land, National Park System land, and Bureau of Land Management public land in 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 text emphasizes the importance of conserving roadless areas on public land for clean water, native species, recreation, and sustainable economic opportunities. The headwaters of major river systems within the Bioregion are recognized for their economic and ecological significance. Wildlife habitat fragmentation due to various activities is identified as negatively impacting wildlife populations, water quality, and ecosystems. The section highlights the economic value of public land in its natural state exceeding potential returns from resource extraction. The text notes that millions of acres of roadless wildland have been developed since 1936. The findings indicate a need for an ecological reserve system in the Northern Rockies Bioregion, including core ecosystem reserves and biological connecting corridors. The Act aims to provide employment opportunities and renew economic, social, and cultural benefits through land rehabilitation projects. The section acknowledges that Federal land management has sometimes resulted in development that negatively impacts wilderness, water quality, and biodiversity.

What does PURPOSES. of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act 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 connecting to ecologically significant wildland to the south. Designations aim to promote and preserve wilderness character, protect water quality and wildlife habitats, and safeguard ecological integrity. The Act seeks to protect biological and native species diversity and dispersal throughout the Northern Rockies Bioregion. It promotes interagency cooperation for ecosystem management and protection, emphasizing conservation biology principles. The Act aims to preserve scenic, historic, and cultural resources and promote scientific research and recreation. It intends to avoid misinvestment in land with marginal timber value and promote sustainable management in the Northern Rockies Bioregion.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act 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 that eliminates roadless and wilderness characteristics, including construction of ski resorts, road building, timber harvesting, mining, and oil and gas drilling. “Greater ecosystem” refers to an ecological land unit sufficient to support large vertebrate species or contiguous with the habitat of a listed threatened or endangered species, such as the grizzly bear, lynx, or caribou. “Habitat” encompasses the physical, chemical, and biological properties used by fish, wildlife, or plants for survival. “Indian Tribe” is defined according to section 4 of 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 in the Act. “Public land” is defined as in section 103 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. “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 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 included in 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 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, Lolo National Forest, and 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 and Flathead National Forests 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 designations are based on a map entitled 'Greater Glacier' dated April 10, 2023, and other maps dated April 29, 2016.

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

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

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

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What does GREATER HELLS CANYON ECOSYSTEM. of Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act 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. These designated areas are components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The 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.

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Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

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

Author: Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

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119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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