US SB3409

Bureau of Reclamation retains exclusive ownership, operational control, and financial responsibility for the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel in perpetuity, with no authority to transfer these obligations to non-Federal entities

Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District and Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project are explicitly protected from any financial or operational responsibility for the 2.1-mile fish bypass channel near Intake, Montana

Authorizes $1,000,000 annually beginning in fiscal year 2026 for operations, maintenance, repairs, and adaptive management of the bypass channel to support pallid sturgeon migration

Requires biennial reports to Congress on operational status, anticipated repairs, cost analysis, and coordination efforts between federal and state agencies regarding the bypass channel

Invalidates any prior agreements attempting to impose fish bypass channel costs on local irrigation entities and grants affected stakeholders standing to file complaints in U.S. District Court for the District of Montana