A Summary of the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

Overview

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, or NREPA, is a visionary piece of legislation. It is based upon science and a precedential effort to enact landscape scale conservation in a bioregion. The US Northern or Wild Rockies is perhaps the only place in the lower 48 that still retains all of its native species since the arrival of people of European descent. The reason the area is still relatively intact and wild is because this part of the Rockies is largely public land owned by all Americans. This includes portions of the National Forest System (the vast majority of public land in the bioregion), the National Park System, the lands administered by the bureau of Land management, and the National Wildlife Refuge System.

NREPA will protect about 24 million acres of wilderness in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, eastern Oregon, and eastern Washington on public land. Over 1 million acres and 6,300 miles of damaging or unneeded roads will be restored to roadless conditions, providing employment for approximately 2,300 workers while saving tax-dollars from subsidized development. Hundreds of miles of wild rivers will be protected.

NREPA was reintroduced into the 111th Congress by Representatives Maloney and Grijalva. Throughout it history, NREPA has had the support of grassroots conservation groups and scientists. NREPA fits well with other environmental issues such as global warming which are taking center stage. Indeed, NREPA is designed, in part, to allow for life in the Northern Rockies to adapt to global climate change. As such, it appears that NREPA may finally receive the attention it deserves in Congress in the coming months.

The following summary is organized along the lines of the bill.

Introductory sections: (Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4) These sections lay out the findings, purposes, and definitions for the bill. In other words, the scientific and ethical reasons behind the need for this type of visionary legislation. Indeed, the bill notes, Many areas of undeveloped National Forest System lands, National Park System lands, and public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming possess outstanding natural characteristics . . ." NREPA continues with a promise that, if properly preserved that these areas will be an enduring resource of wilderness, wild land areas, and biodiversity for the benefit of the American people. (emphasis added). The Northern Rockies are recognized as containing, the most diverse array of wild lands remaining south of Canada, providing sanctuary for a host of species including endangered life forms. National treasures such as the Greater Yellowstone, Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide, Greater Hells Canyon/Wallowa, Greater Salmon/Selway, and Greater Cabinet/Yaak/Selkirk ecosystems are found here. Not only will the natural and wildland values of the Rockies be protected, but there will be savings from subsidized development of public lands. A net monetary benefit will occur to taxpayers from implementation of NREPA as compared to current plans.

The purposes of the bill include:

1- designation as wilderness, wild and undeveloped National Forest system, National Park System and land administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

2- designation of wild and scenic rivers.

3- establishment of biological connecting corridors on public land

4- establishment of a pilot system of wildlands recovery areas an certain places of the national Forest System where road building and other development have compromised watershed health and ecological integrity

5- implementation through scientific evaluation of the bills

6- recognition of treaty rights

Title I (sections 101 through 110) is the designation of wilderness areas within the various ecosystems of the Northern Rockies. This Title designates wilderness within the Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide, Greater Yellowstone, Greater Salmon/Selway, Greater Cabinet/Yaak/Selkirk, and Greater Hells Canyon ecosystems. It also designated wilderness in the isolated mountain ranges within the Rockies bioregion. The areas to be designated include the additions to such great Wildernesses as the Bob Marshall, Selway-Bitterroot, Teton, Eagle Cap, and Wenaha-Tucannon as well as the remote regions of Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton national Parks.

Title II (sections 201 through 206) designates biological connecting corridors on public land and designates, as wilderness, certain undeveloped public land areas in those corridors. These are the areas that are not found within the larger ecosystems or mountain ranges, but the public land that connects them together. Protective language provides for reducing road density in the public land corridors not designated as wilderness to facilitate movement of wildlife. Corridor examples include the Centennial, Lemhi and Lost River Mountains ranges between Yellowstone and the wildlands of central Idaho and the Continental Divide between the southern end of the Bob Marshal region to Lost Trail Pass. The bill recognizes the importance of corridor.

Title III (section 301) This section designates wild and scenic rivers. Crucial rivers such as the Payette in Idaho, Rock Creek in Montana and the Thoroughfare in Wyoming are protected.

Title IV (sections 401 through 405) creates a system of national wildland recovery and restoration. The goal of this system is to restore to a wildland condition certain area that have been damaged by road building, logging and mining on public land. Restoration will allow for natural processes, including the hydrological cycle, to function. Functioning areas will aid species to adapt to climate change. A National Wildland Recovery Corps will be established to do the recovery work. Economic studies show that savings from the reduction in below-cost timber sales on national forests will be more than adequate to fund this effort. Local people will be given priority in restoration work. Greater economic benefits to taxpayers and local economies should result from NREPA over current plans.

Title V (sections 501 and 504) This section would require scientific monitoring to study implementation of the bill. It requires an independent scientific panel to evaluate management and do a study of any remaining undeveloped (roadless) areas on the national forests system within the bioregion. This title recognizes traditional uses by native people.

Title VI (Sections 601 and 602). This section ensures that water rights will be sufficient to provide for the conservation purposes of the bill. It also ensures that treaty rights will be respected.

Congressman Minnick needs to hear from you

Take Action Now!

On January 6, 2009 Congressman Walter C. “Walt” Minnick officially took office for the 1st District of Idaho. The 1st district stretches from the Owhyee Canyonlands to the lakes of Boundary County. A self proclaimed “avid outdoorsman with a deep affection for Idaho’s backcountry”, Congressmen Minnick has the opportunity to advance a number of wildlands issues in our district. On the top of the list is the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (HR 980), a visionary piece of legislation that would protect Idaho’s spectacular roadless country. If you want to see Idaho’s wildlands protected for generations to come, now is the time to contact Congressman Minnick.

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA) is a piece of legislation that you have a major stake in. The bill will forever, in perpetuity, protect your pristine Idaho back-country from reckless development and the onslaught of the motorized recreation industry. NREPA would ensure the protection of your favorite trout streams, preserve millions of acres of old-growth forests, and sustain the wildlife you hold so dear to your heart. These places need to be spoken for and Congressman Minnick is eager to hear your stories, your experiences, and your vision for the vast Idaho backcountry! This is an excellent opportunity to tell your elected official you have “a deep affection for Idaho’s backcountry” too.

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act is a management option for not only Idaho backcountry, but the entire roadless northern Rocky Mountain bioregion. These unspoiled roadless areas would be designated Wilderness under NREPA, ensuring protection for a place that still contains all of the species present at the time of the Lewis & Clark expedition over two-hundred years ago. This includes free ranging populations of bison, moose, elk, wolves, cougars and big horn sheep. Today’s leading conservation biologists consider the northern Rockies bioregion as the most intact wildland ecosystem in the entire country. This is something we need to embrace, be proud of, and work to protect. The time for us to act is now!

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act would protect countless roadless areas dear to our heart. A few are right here in the Big Wild: Weitas Creek, Kelly Creek, and Meadow Creek. These three wildland jewels comprise close to three-quarters of a million acres, and provide critical habitat for both endangered wildlife and aquatic species. Just as importantly these three wildlands are your heritage; places that make Idaho the quintessential destination for backpacking, fly-fishing, and hunting. It is because of places like Cove-Mallard, the Selway-Bitterroot additions, and Grandmother Mountain that we are proud to call Idaho home.

If you feel inspired, and wish to speak a word for wildness please write to Congressmen Walt Minnick and tell him you support the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, HR 980. Reach into your heart, find some words, and tell him a favorite story or experience of yours in Idaho’s roadless backcountry. Most importantly, tell Congressmen Minnick why these places are important to you and your family. It is imperative that our state’s new leadership hear from the people he represents; citizens that chose him to do what’s right for Idaho. The future is on our hands.

Congressmen Walter C. Minnick

1517 Longworth HOB

Washington, D.C. 20515

Phone (202) 225-6611

If you wish to email him go here: Congressman Minnick's website

To find out more about the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act including current status and maps go to: