Bill > S3409

This bill, titled the "Lower Yellowstone River Native Fish Conservation Act," reaffirms that the Bureau of Reclamation, under the Secretary of the Interior, will maintain exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. This channel, a federal mitigation measure to protect the endangered pallid sturgeon and other native aquatic species in the Yellowstone River, was built using federal funds and is located outside the operational boundaries of the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project and District. The bill explicitly prohibits any administrative actions, agreements, or transfers that would shift the financial or operational burdens of the bypass channel onto the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District or Project, clarifying that these entities are not responsible for its operation, maintenance, or any costs associated with it. The bill also authorizes $1,000,000 annually for fiscal year 2026 and beyond to ensure the continuous operation and necessary upgrades of the bypass channel, and requires the Secretary to report biennially on its status and management. Importantly, this legislation does not alter the authorized purposes or water delivery obligations of the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project or District, nor does it change existing water rights or federal obligations under environmental laws like the Endangered Species Act.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/3409/all-info