Earlier today Montana Congressman Greg Gianforte introduced legislation to designate Montana’s East Rosebud Creek as a Wild and Scenic River! The bill matches bipartisan legislation introduced earlier this year by Montana Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 2018, this popular bill is now well positioned for passage if the Montana delegation can shepherd it through Congress. We’d like to thank the delegation for championing this bill!

The East Rosebud Wild and Scenic Rivers Act has overwhelming support within its namesake watershed, and received positive reviews in past hearings. In the past two weeks alone, the bill received renewed editorial endorsements and a call to action from the Billings Gazette and Bozeman Daily Chronicle. American Whitewater and our partners have recently encouraged river enthusiasts to speak up for East Rosebud. Thanks to all who took the time to call or write Congressman Gianforte – your voices were heard.  

Support for a broader bill to protect more of Montana’s headwaters has been significant and building for years. Since 2010, American Whitewater and our partners in Montanans for Healthy Rivers have been meeting with communities and honing a grassroots proposal for around 50 new Wild and Scenic Rivers in Montana that have broad local support, and represent some of the finest streams in the state and the nation. A 2016 bi-partisan poll found that two-thirds of Montanans want to see more streams on public lands protected under the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. 

We see no better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act than designating East Rosebud Creek and introducing a larger Wild and Scenic Rivers bill for Montana. And that is just Montana: other Wild and Scenic bills like Washington’s Wild Olympics bill are also ready to go in 2018. We’ll be asking folks from around the country to take action in 2018 to move forward protections for outstanding rivers around the Unite States.

Right now, if you live in or visit Montana please consider calling Congressman Gianforte (202-225-3211):

1. Thanking him for introducing the East Rosebud Wild and Scenic River Act!

2. Asking him to work with Montana's U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines to pass this bill in the current Congress, and to consider designating additional Wild and Scenic Rivers in Montana in 2018.

Montana residents can also send him a thank you message through his website.

Thanks, Happy Holidays!