The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

On Wednesday, Congresswoman, Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY, 12th District), my Representative, introduced the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA), Legislation that would Designate approximately 23 Million Acres of Wild Lands in the Continental Northwest as Wilderness.

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act would:

- Designate All of the Inventoried Roadless areas in the Northern Rockies as Wilderness, protecting approximately 23 Million Acres of land that is Home to vital Ecosystems and Watersheds in: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

- Designate approximately 1,800 miles of Rivers and Streams as Wild and Scenic Rivers.

- Establish a System to connect Biological Corridors, preserving the Migration Patterns and Habitats of: Native Plants and Animals, and allowing Ecosystems to flourish.

- Preserve huge swaths of Forest Biomes that will act as Carbon Sinks that Counteract Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

- Keep Water available for Ranchers and Farmers downstream until later in the Season when it is most needed.

- Prohibit Construction, use of Motorized Vehicles, and use of Mechanized Tools on Wilderness Lands.

The Northern Rockies are Headwaters to Three of our Country's Major Waterways that provide Water to Tens of Millions of Americans, the Columbia, Colorado, and Missouri Rivers. In addition to Protecting these precious Watersheds, NREPA would Preserve the Natural Biological Corridors that are Critical for a vast array of Fish and Wildlife while Connecting some of the Last remaining Intact Ecosystems in the contiguous 48 States.

A Wilderness Designation is the Highest Level of Protection the Federal Government can bestow on Public Lands, while a Wild and Scenic River designation is the Highest Level of Protection the Federal Government can bestow on Free-Flowing Streams and Rivers. The 30x30 Resolution is a Pledge to Conserve at least 30% of the Land and Ocean of the U.S. by 2030.

President Biden issued an Executive Order Committing to Meet the Goals of the 30x30 Resolution on January 27th, 2021.

“As our country experiences increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, as well as warming temperatures and rising sea levels, the climate crisis has never been more dire. NREPA is the kind of sweeping, systemic solution our nation needs to preserve pristine lands and benefit our environment,” said Congresswoman Maloney. “This legislation would bring us significantly closer to the 30 x 30 Resolution by protecting our nation’s wild lands, animals, and ecosystems. It will also help us meet the goals of the Paris Agreement by preserving large swaths of forest that help cancel out our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. And it will allow us to ensure that our children, and their children, can enjoy these irreplaceable wild places.”










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