The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem spans 22 million acres across three states and contains two national parks, five national forests, and a complex network of other state, federal, Tribal, and private lands. The ecosystem holds the headwaters of major river systems that support lands across the American West. In the coming years Greater Yellowstone’s summers will get drier, annual average temperatures will get warmer, and more precipitation will fall as rain instead of snow in late winter and early spring, leading to warmer streams that stress fish, and resulting in negative impacts to agriculture, recreation, public health, wildlife, and the economy.
Through the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act (MHLA), 384 miles of Montana rivers would be protected through the Wild & Scenic Rivers designation. This includes the Gallatin, Madison, and Smith rivers as well as headwater streams in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest.
Gallatin River Task Force has been focused on gathering support from organizations and individuals. Public, bipartisan polling indicates that 85% and 83% of individuals support the MHLA. And the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council endorsed the MHLA back in 2022.
