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Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act

USA119th CongressHR-6568| House 
| Updated: 2/4/2026
Troy Downing

Troy Downing

Republican Representative

Montana

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act," aims to explicitly reaffirm the federal government's sole responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. The channel was constructed as a federal mitigation measure under the Endangered Species Act to aid the endangered pallid sturgeon and other native fish species, and it is distinct from the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project. Specifically, the legislation mandates that the Secretary of the Interior , acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, retains full ownership, operational authority, and financial responsibility for the bypass channel in perpetuity. It prohibits any administrative action, agreement, or transfer from shifting these responsibilities or costs to non-federal entities, including the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District or the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project . The bill also nullifies any prior attempts to impose such burdens and authorizes $1,000,000 annually for continuous operations, maintenance, and necessary upgrades, ensuring ongoing federal funding and oversight.
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Timeline
Dec 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jan 28, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
Feb 4, 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Mar 17, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3409
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
  • December 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 10, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • January 28, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.


  • February 4, 2026
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • March 17, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3409
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

Water Resources Development

Related Bills

  • S 119-3409: Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act
Congressional oversightEndangered and threatened speciesFishesLakes and riversMissouri RiverMontanaWater resources funding

Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act

USA119th CongressHR-6568| House 
| Updated: 2/4/2026
This bill, titled the "Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act," aims to explicitly reaffirm the federal government's sole responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. The channel was constructed as a federal mitigation measure under the Endangered Species Act to aid the endangered pallid sturgeon and other native fish species, and it is distinct from the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project. Specifically, the legislation mandates that the Secretary of the Interior , acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, retains full ownership, operational authority, and financial responsibility for the bypass channel in perpetuity. It prohibits any administrative action, agreement, or transfer from shifting these responsibilities or costs to non-federal entities, including the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District or the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project . The bill also nullifies any prior attempts to impose such burdens and authorizes $1,000,000 annually for continuous operations, maintenance, and necessary upgrades, ensuring ongoing federal funding and oversight.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Dec 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Jan 28, 2026
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
Feb 4, 2026
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Mar 17, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3409
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
  • December 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 10, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • January 28, 2026
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.


  • February 4, 2026
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • March 17, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3409
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
Troy Downing

Troy Downing

Republican Representative

Montana

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee, Natural Resources Committee

Water Resources Development

Related Bills

  • S 119-3409: Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightEndangered and threatened speciesFishesLakes and riversMissouri RiverMontanaWater resources funding