[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 208 (Wednesday, December 20, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S8185]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                EAST ROSEBUD WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT

  The bill (S. 501) to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to 
designate certain segments of East Rosebud Creek in Carbon County, 
Montana, as components of the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, was 
considered, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read 
the third time, and passed, as follows:

                                 S. 501

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``East Rosebud Wild and Scenic 
     Rivers Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) East Rosebud Creek is cherished by the people of 
     Montana and visitors from across the United States for its 
     clean water, spectacular natural setting, and outstanding 
     recreational opportunities;
       (2) recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, 
     camping, paddling, hiking, rock climbing, and wildlife 
     watching, on East Rosebud Creek and the surrounding land 
     generate millions of dollars annually for the local economy;
       (3) East Rosebud Creek--
       (A) is a national treasure;
       (B) possesses outstandingly remarkable values; and
       (C) merits the high level of protection afforded by the 
     Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) in order 
     to maintain the benefits provided by the Creek, as described 
     in paragraphs (1) and (2), for future generations to enjoy; 
     and
       (4) designation of select public land segments of East 
     Rosebud Creek under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1271 et seq.) would recognize the importance of maintaining 
     the values of the Creek while preserving public access, 
     respecting private property rights, allowing appropriate 
     maintenance of existing infrastructure, and allowing 
     historical uses of the Creek to continue.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to designate East 
     Rosebud Creek in the State of Montana as a component of the 
     National Wild and Scenic Rivers System to preserve and 
     protect for present and future generations the outstandingly 
     remarkable scenic, recreational, and geologic values of the 
     Creek.

     SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVER SEGMENTS.

       (a) Designation.--Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic 
     Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(213) East rosebud creek, montana.--The portions of East 
     Rosebud Creek in the State of Montana, consisting of--
       ``(A) the 13-mile segment exclusively on public land within 
     the Custer National Forest from the source in the Absaroka-
     Beartooth Wilderness downstream to the point at which the 
     Creek enters East Rosebud Lake, including the stream reach 
     between Twin Outlets Lake and Fossil Lake, to be administered 
     by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river; and
       ``(B) the 7-mile segment exclusively on public land within 
     the Custer National Forest from immediately below, but not 
     including, the outlet of East Rosebud Lake downstream to the 
     point at which the Creek enters private property for the 
     first time, to be administered by the Secretary of 
     Agriculture as a recreational river.''.
       (b) Adjacent Management.--
       (1) In general.--Nothing in paragraph (213) of section 3(a) 
     of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) (as 
     added by subsection (a)) creates a protective perimeter or 
     buffer zone outside the designated boundary of the river 
     segment designated by that paragraph.
       (2) Outside activities.--The fact that an otherwise 
     authorized activity or use can be seen or heard within the 
     boundary of the river segment designated by paragraph (213) 
     of section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1274(a)) (as added by subsection (a)) shall not preclude the 
     activity or use outside the boundary of the river segment.

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