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Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act

USA119th CongressS-3409| Senate 
| Updated: 3/17/2026
Steve Daines

Steve Daines

Republican Senator

Montana

Cosponsors (1)
Tim Sheehy (Republican)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Water and Power Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill, titled the "Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act," aims to unequivocally establish the federal government's sole responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. It reaffirms that the Bureau of Reclamation retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for this channel, which was constructed as a federal mitigation measure for the endangered pallid sturgeon under the Endangered Species Act. A key objective of the legislation is to protect the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project and District from any undue financial or operational burdens associated with the bypass channel. The bill explicitly states that no administrative action, agreement, or transfer can alter or diminish these federal responsibilities, nor can any federal agency impose financial or operational obligations on non-federal entities for the channel. It authorizes appropriations of $1,000,000 annually for the channel's continuous operation, maintenance, repairs, and adaptive management, ensuring dedicated federal funding. Furthermore, it grants the irrigation district and affected stakeholders the right to seek judicial review if the Secretary attempts to transfer these responsibilities, and invalidates any prior attempts to do so.
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Timeline
Dec 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Dec 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 4, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6568
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Mar 17, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
  • December 9, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 9, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • February 4, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6568
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • March 17, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

Water Resources Development

Related Bills

  • HR 119-6568: 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 CongressS-3409| Senate 
| Updated: 3/17/2026
This bill, titled the "Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act," aims to unequivocally establish the federal government's sole responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. It reaffirms that the Bureau of Reclamation retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for this channel, which was constructed as a federal mitigation measure for the endangered pallid sturgeon under the Endangered Species Act. A key objective of the legislation is to protect the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project and District from any undue financial or operational burdens associated with the bypass channel. The bill explicitly states that no administrative action, agreement, or transfer can alter or diminish these federal responsibilities, nor can any federal agency impose financial or operational obligations on non-federal entities for the channel. It authorizes appropriations of $1,000,000 annually for the channel's continuous operation, maintenance, repairs, and adaptive management, ensuring dedicated federal funding. Furthermore, it grants the irrigation district and affected stakeholders the right to seek judicial review if the Secretary attempts to transfer these responsibilities, and invalidates any prior attempts to do so.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Dec 9, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Dec 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 4, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6568
Subcommittee Hearings Held
Mar 17, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
  • December 9, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 9, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • February 4, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6568
    Subcommittee Hearings Held


  • March 17, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
Steve Daines

Steve Daines

Republican Senator

Montana

Cosponsors (1)
Tim Sheehy (Republican)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Water and Power Subcommittee

Water Resources Development

Related Bills

  • HR 119-6568: 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