Bill · S. 3409· Senate(119-S-3409)
Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act
- Introduced
- 12/9/2025
- Last activity
- 3/17/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- Sponsored by
- Steve Daines
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act," aims to clarify ownership of the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. It mandates that the Bureau of Reclamation retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and full financial responsibility for the channel. This ensures that the responsibility for protecting the endangered pallid sturgeon stays with the Federal government. The Act specifically prevents the costs or duties of maintaining the fish bypass from being shifted to the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District or Project. It provides for annual federal funding to keep the channel running and perform necessary repairs.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
The bill ensures long-term conservation of the endangered pallid sturgeon through permanent federal ownership and dedicated funding for the fish bypass channel.
Would farmers be better off under this?+5
The bill protects irrigation districts and projects from being forced to fund or operate the fish bypass channel.
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill mandates that the Bureau of Reclamation retains exclusive ownership and full financial responsibility for the fish bypass channel.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill authorizes $1,000,000 in annual federal funding for the operation and maintenance of the fish bypass channel.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Local Irrigation Entities: The bill ensures that the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District and the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project are not burdened with financial or operational responsibilities for the fish bypass channel (Section 2, Section 4).
-
Environmental Conservation: The Act maintains federal responsibility for the long-term conservation of the endangered pallid sturgeon and other native aquatic species in the Yellowstone River (Section 2, Section 5).
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Financial Stability for Infrastructure: By authorizing $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each year thereafter, the bill provides dedicated funding for necessary engineering, repairs, and upgrades to the fish bypass channel (Section 8).
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Legal Clarity and Recourse: The bill grants the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District and affected stakeholders the right to file a complaint in Federal District Court if the Secretary attempts to transfer responsibilities to a non-Federal entity (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly identified within the provided text regarding burdens on individuals or groups of people.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Rural Residents+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Rural Development+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5Improves Government Transparency+2
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1
- 3/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- 1/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana