Federal government would keep paying for Yellowstone River fish channel, protecting local farmers.
This bill would ensure the federal government, specifically the Bureau of Reclamation, always pays for and runs the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. This protects local farmers and irrigation groups in Montana and North Dakota from having to cover these costs. It would also set aside $1 million each year for the channel's upkeep, helping endangered pallid sturgeon.
Today, the Bureau of Reclamation owns and maintains the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel, but there is a concern that local irrigation groups might be asked to pay for its upkeep. After this bill, the Bureau of Reclamation would be legally required to always own, operate, and fund the channel, with $1,000,000 authorized annually starting in the government's budget year 2026. Local irrigation groups would be explicitly protected from these costs, and any past attempts to transfer responsibility would be canceled.
S 3409 · 119th Congress · December 9, 2025 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10
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