This bill aims to significantly expand conservation efforts across the Northern Rockies Bioregion, encompassing federal lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. It proposes the designation of vast areas as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, new wild and scenic rivers, wildland recovery areas, and critical biological connecting corridors. The overarching goal is to preserve the region's unique natural characteristics, biodiversity, and ecological integrity for future generations.

A major provision of the bill involves designating numerous new wilderness areas and expanding existing ones within key ecosystems such as Greater Glacier/Northern Continental Divide, Greater Yellowstone, Greater Salmon/Selway, Greater Cabinet-Yaak-Selkirk, Greater Hells Canyon, and isolated "Islands in the Sky" mountain ranges. These designations aim to protect pristine landscapes, water quality, and vital wildlife habitats, including those of threatened and endangered species. The bill mandates that these wilderness areas be administered in accordance with the Wilderness Act, with specific provisions for water rights and the donation of grazing permits.

The legislation also establishes a system of biological connecting corridors, totaling approximately 2.9 million acres, to link the region's core ecosystems. These corridors are deemed essential for wildlife movement, genetic interchange, and adaptation to climate change. Within these special corridor management areas, activities such as even-aged silvicultural management, timber harvesting, new road construction, and new mining or oil/gas exploration are prohibited, subject to valid existing rights. The bill also sets a strict road density target of not exceeding 0.25 miles per square mile.

Furthermore, the bill designates numerous rivers and their segments in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This designation protects their free-flowing condition and outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values. Separately, specific areas are identified as wildland recovery areas, totaling over 1 million acres, where active restoration efforts will be prioritized to return damaged lands to their natural, roadless, and wild condition, focusing on native vegetation, invasive species reduction, and water quality.

To ensure effective implementation, the bill requires an interagency team to monitor and evaluate the Act's progress, including developing a geographic information system for the Northern Rockies Bioregion. This team will also assess and facilitate wildlife movement across major highways and rail lines within the biological corridors. An independent panel of scientists will evaluate roadless lands not designated as wilderness, studying their role in maintaining biodiversity and providing management recommendations. The bill explicitly protects the treaty and other rights of Indian Tribes, affirming federal trust responsibilities and ensuring tribal access to protected areas for traditional cultural and religious purposes.