U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke announced Wednesday his intention to introduce the “A River Runs Through It Act” in Congress, legislation that merges two long-standing conservation proposals affecting central Montana’s forests and public lands, according to the Daily Montanan.

The bill combines the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Proposal and the Lincoln Prosperity Proposal, affecting more than 430,000 acres near the Clearwater and Blackfoot rivers. The measure designates approximately 100,000 acres of Forest Service land for addition to the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat wilderness areas and creates new wilderness protections on Nevada Mountain—the first new protected wilderness in 14 years.

The legislation also releases roughly 23,000 acres of Wilderness Study areas for timber harvest and management, designates six forest restoration areas across approximately 180,000 acres, and establishes six recreation areas totaling about 60,000 acres. An off-highway vehicle trail loop exceeding 70 miles is authorized under the act.

Zinke characterized the proposal as an example of locally driven conservation. “This is what locally led conservation looks like,” he told the Daily Montanan. “We can put people to work in the woods, support our timber industry, reduce wildfire risk, and keep our forests healthy while protecting public access and conserving the iconic places we cherish.”

The steering committee that shaped the legislation included retired foresters from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, representatives from Pyramid Mountain Lumber—a Seeley Lake timber mill that closed in 2024—local outfitters, ranchers, guides, and conservation organizations. A coalition of conservation groups, sportsmen’s organizations, business owners, and individuals has pursued protections and recreation opportunities in the region for more than two decades.

Zach Angstead of Wild Montana said the achievement represented a significant milestone. “Seeing this work come together in the A River Runs Through It Act is a remarkable achievement,” he told the Daily Montanan.

Commissioners from Missoula, Lewis and Clark, and Powell counties have expressed support for the measure. Zinke is retiring from Congress at the end of the year.