Rockies Prosperity Act

H.R. 1204, the Rockies Prosperity Act, proposes to designate approximately 23 million acres of federal land across Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as protected wilderness. The bill would establish several new wilderness areas and biological corridors to connect ecosystems, while also creating the Hells Canyon/Chief Joseph National Park and Preserve. Additionally, it would designate several regional rivers as "Wild and Scenic" and create a National Wildland Recovery Corps to focus on restoring damaged ecosystems.

For citizens, this legislation would significantly increase federal protections for vast tracts of public land, likely restricting commercial activities such as logging, mining, and motorized vehicle use in those areas. While the bill guarantees continued access for Native American cultural and religious ceremonies, it would shift the management of these lands toward long-term conservation and ecosystem restoration. If passed, the bill would also initiate a study to determine the feasibility of creating a new National Park in the Flathead National Forest area.