Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act

The Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act aims to clarify that the Bureau of Reclamation is solely responsible for the ownership, operation, and maintenance of the Lower Yellowstone fish bypass channel. This 2.1-mile waterway was originally built to help the endangered pallid sturgeon and other native fish navigate around the Intake Diversion Dam in Montana. Because the channel often suffers damage from winter ice and spring runoff, the bill seeks to ensure that the costs of these expensive repairs remain a federal obligation rather than being passed on to local users.

If enacted, the bill would protect local farmers, ranchers, and taxpayers in eastern Montana and western North Dakota from significant financial burdens. Currently, there are concerns that local irrigation districts could be forced to pay for the upkeep of this federal conservation project, which could destabilize the regional agricultural economy and impact municipal water supplies. By prohibiting federal agencies from transferring these costs to non-federal entities, the legislation proposes to provide long-term financial stability for the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project while continuing to support endangered species recovery.