Montana Headwaters Legacy Act

The Montana Headwaters Legacy Act designates 20 specific river segments in Montana as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, protecting their natural values while maintaining public access and existing uses. It classifies each segment as "wild," "scenic," or "recreational" for federal management under the Departments of Agriculture or Interior, with detailed boundaries for each waterway. The bill explicitly preserves all existing water rights, tribal uses, and current hydroelectric operations on designated rivers, ensuring no disruption to current infrastructure or legal agreements. This directly affects Montana residents, recreational users, tribal communities, and industries reliant on clean water and river-based tourism across the state.