Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act

This bill states that the federal Bureau of Reclamation keeps full ownership, control, and financial responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel near Intake, Montana, a 2.1-mile channel built to help pallid sturgeon and other native fish move around the Intake Diversion Dam. It bars federal agencies from shifting the channel's costs or operating duties to the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District, the irrigation project, or any other non-federal entity, and it voids any earlier agreements that tried to do so. It lets the irrigation district and affected parties sue in federal court in Montana if such a transfer is attempted. It authorizes $1,000,000 per year starting in fiscal year 2026 for the channel's operation, repairs, and management, and requires a report to Congress every two years.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Steve Daines Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors