Congressman Ryan Zinke has introduced the A River Runs Through It Act (H.R. 10529), a locally developed public-lands agreement covering approximately 430,000 acres in Montana's Blackfoot and Clearwater valleys.
The bill brings together key elements of the Lincoln Prosperity Proposal and the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act- two locally driven efforts that BHA has worked to advance for years
The legislation would:
- Designate 183,633 acres for forest restoration and wildfire-risk reduction;
- Establish nearly 58,000 acres of year-round and winter recreation areas;
- Designate 130,415 acres of new or expanded wilderness;
- Establish or expand more than 62,000 acres of conservation-management areas;
- Create the Hoodoo Mountain and Wales Creek Backcountry Areas; and
- Release the Hoodoo Mountain and Wales Creek Wilderness Study Areas.
Developed through years of collaboration among conservationists, recreationists, sportsmen, timber interests, local residents, and elected officials, the bill represents a landmark opportunity to support healthy forests and rural communities while protecting recreation, public access, wildlife habitat, and some of Montana's most treasured landscapes.
Thank you to Congressman Zinke for introducing this legislation and Congressman Downing for signing on as a cosponsor!
Please urge your members of Congress to co-sponsor and support the A River Runs Through It Act.