Zinke Re-Introduces the Public Lands in Public Hands Act and a Slate of Conservation Bills

(Washington, D.C. ) - Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke reintroduced a slate of conservation bills that he had previously introduced in 118^th Congress (2023-2024). Members of Congress are required to re-submit bills at the start of a new Congress for consideration in the new session. The 119^th Congress began on January 3, 2025. 

"When you grow up in Montana, conservation isn't just a priority, it's part of who you are," said Zinke. "I want to be able to hunt, hike, and fish with my grandkids in the same rivers, trails, and lakes where my grandpa took me. That’s why these bills are so critical, they ensure that we can pass down that way of life to future generations. Every Montanan knows that public lands belong in public hands, our big game must be protected, and Flathead Lake should remain full for everyone to enjoy. I’m committed to fighting for these bills, pushing them across the finish line, and making sure they’re signed into law, so we can preserve this legacy for years to come."

Public Lands in Public Hand

The Public Lands in Public Hands Act maintains public access to public land by banning the sale or transfer of most public lands managed by the Department of the Interior and U.S. Forest service except under specific conditions and where required under previous laws. The bill also requires Congressional approval for disposals of publicly accessible federal land tracts over 300 acres and for public land tracts over 5 acres if accessible via a public waterway. This provision alone would protect public access to nearly 30 million acres of public lands depended upon by outdoorsmen of all types across Montana.

Organizational support for reintroduction:

Joel Webster, chief conservation officer with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership said, “Millions of American sportsmen and sportswomen depend on public lands for their hunting and fishing access. TRCP appreciates the leadership of Representatives Zinke and Vasquez to prevent the sale or transfer of our valued public lands by introducing the Public Lands in Public Hands Act.”

“Our nation’s public lands are an irreplaceable asset for hunters and anglers who rely on them for access as well as the intact habitat they provide fish and wildlife. We thank Reps. Zinke and Vasquez for their leadership introducing the bipartisan Public Lands in Public Hands Act. By making it more difficult to sell or transfer public lands, this legislation would strengthen the integrity of our public land’s heritage at a time when many unsavory interests seek to privatize one of our most American ideals.”  - Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy and Government Relations for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.

Read the original press release here.

Read the full text here. 

Fill The Lake 

In response to the extremely low pool levels in Flathead Lake in 2023, Congressman Zinke introduced the Fill the Lake. The legislation would require the Department of Interior to maintain a minimum pool level on Flathead Lake of 2892’ MSL (mean sea level) and a maximum of 2893’ MSL from June 15th to September 15th of each calendar year. If enacted, the Fill the Lake Act would prevent a repeat of the 2023 season when regulators allowed the lake to drop almost two feet below full pool. 

Read the original press release here.

Read the full text here. 

The Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act

The Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act builds off Secretarial Order 3362  “Improving Habitat Quality in Western Big-Game Winter Range and Migration Corridors” which committed federal and state agencies to collaborate and ensure the health and longevity of big game migration corridors and identify critical wintering habitat. This grant will provide funding to eligible entities for conservation work in support of big game wildlife migration corridors and habitat connectivity . It will codify SO 3362 as well as the Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program and USDA’s Migratory Big Game Initiative and will codify SO 3362 as well as the Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program and USDA’s Migratory Big Game Initiative.

Read the full text of the bill here.

Read the full press release here.

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