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H.R.488 / 107th Congress

Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2001

Executive Comment Requested from USDA, Interior.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 6, 2001

Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act of 2001 - Designates the following lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (System): (1) Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide ecosystem; (2) Greater Yellowstone ecosystem; (3) Greater Salmon/Selway ecosystem; (4) Greater Cabinet/Yaak/Selkirk ecosystem; (5) Islands in the Sky Wilderness; and (6) Blackfeet Wilderness.Designates: (1) specified wild land areas as Biological Connecting Corridors to protect the life flow of the Northern Rockies Bioregion; (2) the inventoried roadless areas identified as part of the Corridors as components of the System; and (3) certain biological connecting corridors as special corridor management areas.Establishes the Hells Canyon/Chief Joseph National Park and Preserve as a National Park System unit. Repeals Federal law provisions that establish the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) implement a program of ecosystem restoration in the Preserve; and (2) study the feasibility of creating a Flathead National Park and Preserve in the area generally known as the Glacier View Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest.Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate segments of specified rivers and creeks in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.Establishes the National Wildland Restoration and Recovery System and the National Wildland Recovery Corps.Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to assure nonexclusive access to the specified areas and corridors designated by this Act by Native Americans for traditional cultural and religious purposes.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Shays, Christopher [R-CT-4] · R–CT

Committees

  • Natural Resources Committee
153 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Executive Comment Requested from USDA, Interior.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health.

  3. Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.

  4. Referred to the House Committee on Resources.

  5. Introduced in House

  6. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 19, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.488 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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