Today, we saw a victory for Montana’s rivers as the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act (MHLA) advanced to the next step toward becoming law. The MHLA passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for the first time in its legislative history. It will now be considered for inclusion in a public lands legislative package that will be voted on by the full Senate in December. 

The MHLA is a key piece of Wild and Scenic legislation; a made-in-Montana bill that, when passed, will protect 325 river miles across 19 of the state’s most iconic waterways. These rivers include the Yellowstone, Gallatin, and Smith Rivers, and more. 

The MHLA will conserve them as wild, clean, and free-flowing for generations to come. This decision will profoundly shape the future of Montana’s rivers, and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC) is proud to be a part of that legacy. 

GYC has been working on the MHLA for 14 years, as leader and steering committee member of the Montanans for Healthy Rivers Coalition since 2010.  

We’ve worked with folks from all walks of life to craft the MHLA – business owners, landowners, Tribal leaders, conservationists, sportsmen, and local elected representatives – who are committed to protecting Montana’s iconic streams. 

Here in the Treasure State, we are lucky to live in a state with some of the finest rivers in the nation. Montana’s wild, undeveloped waters shape and define the landscape, supporting diverse wildlife, feeding thriving local economies, and providing opportunities for reverence and recreation to residents and visitors alike. From the mighty Yellowstone River to remote backcountry waters like Hellroaring Creek and West Boulder River, Montana’s storied rivers are fundamental to the ecology, economy, and identity of the state. 

But the future of these remarkable rivers is not secure. A changing climate, new dams and diversions, a rapidly growing population, and a host of other pressures are putting Montana’s wild, free-flowing rivers at risk. 

Thankfully, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act provides a framework for protecting rivers with “outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations.” Wild and Scenic designations currently protect more than 13,400 miles of rivers across the United States, including more than 450 miles of river segments within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem – primarily in northwestern Wyoming. 

Today’s vote marks an important step forward for the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act, but it’s also bittersweet. The bill passed on a 10-9 party line vote with Montana’s Senator Steve Daines, R, voting against the legislation citing it lacks local support. This couldn't be further from the truth. Montana river conservation is a non-partisan issue. Public opinion research repeatedly demonstrates roughly 85 percent of Montanans support the MHLA and it is endorsed by thousands of businesses.

To pass the full Senate as part of a public lands legislative package, it will be critical to have Montana’s Senator Daines on board. Please call 202-224-2651 or write to his office immediately to voice your support for the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act.  

—Charles Drimal, Deputy Director of Conservation (Bozeman, Montana)