A bill that would add protections to over 300 miles of Montana’s rivers and streams is moving forward for full consideration in front of the U.S. Congress. The Montana Headwaters Legacy Act, a longtime effort of Sen. Jon Tester, passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with a 10-9 vote. The bill adds federal protections to sections of eight rivers and 11 creeks in Montana, including famous rivers like the Smith, Gallatin, Stillwater, and Yellowstone rivers. However, the Montana delegation is split on the bill, with Sen. Steve Daines voting against it due to concerns about its far-reaching approach.
An amendment was made to the bill to remove sections of the Madison River after NorthWestern Energy raised concerns about impacts to their hydroelectric projects. Despite this amendment, Sen. Daines and some local governments still have issues with the bill. Daines highlighted that half of the counties affected by the bill have opposed it, emphasizing the need for broader support from local governments.
Advocates, like Charles Drimal from the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, have been rallying support for the Headwaters Act for years, with hundreds of individuals, businesses, and stakeholders backing the legislation. The bill will now move on to the full Senate for consideration. The bill is praised for being deeply vetted, community-driven, and broadly supported, but some local opposition remains a hurdle that supporters will need to overcome.
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