Findings; purpose

(a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) the streams designated as components of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System by the amendment made by section 3(a) are cherished by the people of the State of Montana and visitors from across the United States and around the world for their clean water, abundant fish and wildlife, spectacular natural settings, and outstanding recreational opportunities; (2) Indian Tribes have used the streams referred to in paragraph (1) for hunting, fishing, gathering, and other cultural purposes since time immemorial; (3) recreational activities (including fishing, hunting, camping, paddling, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, horseback riding, and wildlife watching) on the streams referred to in paragraph (1) and the surrounding land generate billions of dollars annually for the economy of the State of Montana; (4) the multi-billion-dollar agricultural industry in the State of Montana thrives on the availability of clean water that originates in headwaters streams on Federal public land; (5) facilities on the Madison River, the Hebgen and Madison Dams, have been integral in improving and maintaining fish populations, enabling its blue-ribbon fishery values, while generating 12 MW of carbon free hydropower; (6) the streams referred to in paragraph (1)— (A) are national treasures; (B) possess outstandingly remarkable values; and (C) merit the high level of protection afforded by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) in order to maintain the benefits provided by the streams described in paragraphs (1) through (3) for future generations to enjoy; and (7) designation of select public land segments of the streams referred to in paragraph (1) under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) would maintain the outstandingly remarkable values of each stream while— (A) preserving public access; (B) respecting private property rights; (C) allowing appropriate maintenance of existing infrastructure, including major repairs and safety improvements to roads and bridges; (D) allowing for emergency intervention; and (E) allowing historical uses to continue. (b) Purpose The purpose of this Act is to designate certain segments of the Gallatin, Madison, and Yellowstone Rivers and their select tributaries in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in the State of Montana as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System to preserve and protect for present and future generations the outstandingly remarkable values of each stream and tributary.