Wilderness Legislation in 111th Congress

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Passed the House | Awaiting Senate and House Action | Awaiting Senate Action | Awaiting House Action | Awaiting Markup | Introduced in the House | Introduced in the Senate

Passed the House

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Wild Pratt River Act (S. 721/H.R. 1769)

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. David Reichert (R-WA) introduced legislation that would expand the existing 394,000-acre Alpine Lakes Wilderness by 22,100 acres and designate parts of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers as Wild and Scenic.

The additional roadless lands protected by this bill lie in the Pratt River Valley and the Middle and South Fork Snoqualimie River Valleys, an area that includes glacier-cut u-shaped valleys, snow capped peaks, old-growth forests, whitewater rivers and strong native trout runs.

This wilderness area is the closest and most accessible to residents of the greater Seattle Metropolitan area and would preserve existing recreational opportunities for hiking, camping, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, mountain biking and wildlife viewing.

The House of Representatives passed this bill on March 18, 2010. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources approved this bill on December 16, 2009.

Awaiting Senate Action

Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act (S. 874/H.R. 5334)

On April 23, 2009, Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) introduced the Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act to protect as a conservation area some 235,000 acres northwest of Taos, including more than 21,000 acres of designated wilderness. Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) is a co-sponsor.

The bill will designate about 13,500 acres of the Ute Mountain area as the Cerro del Yuta wilderness, and 8,000 acres as the San Antonio wilderness.

The legislation will also give protection to the Rio Grande Gorge, home to one of the great migratory routes in the world, offering nesting places to falcons, eagles and hawks.

Rep. Ben Lujan (D-NM) introduced companion legislation in the House on May 18, 2010. It is co-sponsored by Rep. Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources approved this bill on December 16, 2009.

Awaiting Senate and House Action

Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Act of 2009 (S. 1272/H.R. 2888)

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Act on June 16, 2009, a measure that would permanently protect nearly 30,000 acres of wilderness on Wassen Creek in Oregon’s Coast Range.

Considered one of the most secluded locations in Oregon, Devil’s Staircase is home to some of the finest examples of classic old growth forest left in the Coast Range. Many native species are found here, including threatened spotted owls, elk, black bear, mountain lions, river otter and mink.

The bill would also designate more than 14 miles of wild scenic river for Wassen and Franklin Creeks as Wild and Scenic.

The House Natural Resources Committee approved this bill on October 28, 2009.

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources approved this bill on June 21, 2010.

Awaiting House Action

The San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act (S. 2762/H.R. 3914)

Rep. John Salazar (D-CO) introduced legislation on October 22, 2009 to protect more than 61,000 acres of public land in southwest Colorado, including 33,000 acres as wilderness. This addition to the 480,000-acre San Juan National Forest wilderness will provide protection to critical landscape linkages.

The San Juan Mountain range is one of the most geologically diverse mountain ranges in the world and is home to the threatened Canada lynx and the Gunnison sage grouse and Colorado River cuttthroat trout, whose status is under review. The wilderness legislation is supported by local communities, elected officials, ranchers and recreation groups.

On November 10, 2009, Sens. Mark Udall (D-CO) and Michael Bennett (D-CO) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

A hearing was held in the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests on April 28, 2010.

The House Natural Resources Committee approved this bill on June 16, 2010.

Awaiting Markup

The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act (S. 1689)

On September 17, 2009, Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Tom Udall (D-NM) introduced The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act. This bill would designate nearly 260,000 acres of wilderness and create a 150,000-acre National Conservation Area around the Organ and Doña Ana Mountains and parts of Broad Canyon.

This area in Southern New Mexico, near Las Cruces, is known for hiking, hunting, camping, climbing and horseback riding. The Organ Mountains are an icon to New Mexicans with some of the most breathtaking scenic views in the state.

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources approved this bill on July 21, 2010.

Forest Jobs and Recreation Act (S. 1470)

On July 20, 2009, Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act. This bill will protect nearly 700,000 acres of wilderness across the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Lolo and Kootenai National Forests, including the East and West Pioneers, the Sapphires, Lost Cabin and Lima Peaks, and additions to the Lee Metcalf, Anaconda-Pintlar, and North Fork Blackfoot Monture Creek Wilderness areas.

The bill will also improve forest health and fish and wildlife habitat as well as protect the lands for hunting, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Along with wilderness protection, the measure will designate areas for backcountry recreation and areas for forest stewardship.

A hearing was held by the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests on December 17, 2009.

Pinnacles National Park Act (H.R. 3444)

Representative Sam Farr (D-CA) introduced the Pinnacles National Park Act on July 31, 2009. This bill would designate the area around Pinnacles National Monument in California as a National Park. The bill would also expand the existing Pinnacles Wilderness by 2,905 acres and change the name to the Hain Wilderness, after Schuyler Hain, an early homesteader whose efforts to protect the area led to the establishment by Theodore Rooseveltof Pinnacles National Monument
in 1908.

Protection for this area will preserve the chaparral, grasslands, blue oak woodlands, many unique flora and fauna and the ancestral and cultural history of native Americans.

A hearing was held in the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands on November 17, 2009.

The Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven Wilderness Act of 2010 (S. 2963)

Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced The Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven Wilderness Act of 2010 on January 28, 2010. This legislation would designate, as wilderness, over 16,000 acres in the Cathedral Rock and Horse Heaven areas near the lower John Day River.

The areas encompass dramatic basalt cliffs and rolling hills of juniper, sagebrush and bluebranch wheatgrass. The landscape also offers key habitat for pygmy rabbit and Ferruginous Hawk and is a critical corridor connecting the habitats of a large number of key wildlife species.

A hearing was held in the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests on April 21, 2010.

Cibola National Forest Expansion (H.R. 5388)

On May 25, 2010, Rep. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced legislation to expand the Cibola National Forest.

The bill will add the Crest of Montezuma to the north end of the Cibola National Forest and expand the existing Manzano Wilderness in the south end of the forest by aproximately 900 acres. It will protect the area’s critical role as a wildllife corridor for animals that migrate from north to south across the state.

The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM).

The House Natural Resources Committee approved this bill on July 22, 2010.

The California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act (S. 2921)

On December 21, 2009, Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced legislation to protect more than two million acres of desert landscape.

This bill will designate more than 346,000 acres of wilderness, create the Desert Trails and Sand to Snow National Monuments, expand existing national parks, and protect vital waterways such as the Amargosa River and Deep Creek.

The legislation will also protect the historical value of these lands including sacred Native American trails and sites and the legendary Route 66.

A hearing was held in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on May 20, 2010.

The Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act (H.R. 5009)

On April 13, 2010, Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) introduced legislation to protect more than 26,000 acres of national forest land in the central Wasatch Mountains just outside of Salt Lake City.

The bill will protect the watershed that provides water for over 60 percent of the Salt Lake City Region, designating 15,000 acres of wilderness and 11,000 acres of special management area.

A hearing was held in the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands on June 10, 2010.

 

 

The Tony Dean Cheyenne River Valley Conservation Act of 2010 (S. 3310)

On May 5, 2010, Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) introduced legislation to protect nearly 50,000 acres of wilderness on the Buffalo Gap National Grassland.

This bill would designate the first grassland wilderness in the country. The areas contain a vast array of landforms and unique plant life and provide spectacular wilderness recreation
opportunities including, hunting, horseback riding, hiking and camping.

This legislation is named in memory of Tony Dean, a longtime South Dakotan and advocate for hunting and protecting South Dakota’s open spaces.

A hearing was held in the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests on June 16, 2010.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Conservation and Recreation Act (S. 2976/H.R. 4558)

On February 2, 2010 Representative Hoekstra (R-MI) introduced legislation to protect over 32,500 acres of wilderness in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This area is on the mainland shore of Lake Michigan and is popular with hunters, anglers, hikers and boaters.

Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Debbie Ann Stabenow (D-MI) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

A hearing was held in the Senate Subcommittee on National Parks on May 19, 2010.

 

 

 

 

Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (S. 3294/H.R. 5205)

Rep. Mike Simpson has long sponsored legislation to protect the Boulder-White Clouds range and earlier in this Congress introduced HR 192. Recently, a revised version was introduced in both houses of Congress.

On April 30, 2010 Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced legislation to permanently protect over 330,000 acres of wilderness in central Idaho. On May 4, 2010 Rep. Mike
Simpson (R-ID) and Rep. Walt Minnick (D-ID) introduced companion legislation in the House.

The bill will create three new wilderness areas in the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests and the Challis District of the Bureau of Land Management — Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness, White Clouds Wilderness and Jerry Peak wilderness in the Boulder-White Clouds Mountains.

Boulder-White Clouds is the largest unprotected wild roadless area in the national forests of the lower 48 states. Its broad range of elevations and habitats lends to the area’s enormous biological and geographical diversity. Since the land is uninterrupted by roads, Boulder-White Clouds is a popular hunting and fishing destination, with spawning salmon and big game such as elk, moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, black bear, and cougar.

A hearing was held in the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests on June 16, 2010.

Introduced in the House

Beauty Mountain and Agua Tibia Act of 2009 (H.R. 4309)

On December 15, 2009, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) introduced legislation to protect over 21,000 acres of wilderness in north San Diego County. The proposed wilderness sits adjacent to the Beauty Mountain and Agua Tibia wilderness areas located in Riverside County.

The areas are characterized by deep canyons and fascinating rock formations and offer recreation opportunities such as hiking, backpacking and hunting.

 

 

Big Sur Forest Service Management Act of 2009 (H.R. 4040)

On November 6, 2009, Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) introduced legislation to expand wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest. The Big Sur Forest Service Management Act would add over 2,000 acres of wilderness to the Ventana Wilderness area and designate segments of the Arroyo Seco, Carmel and San Antonio rivers and the San Carpoforo and Big Creeks as Wild and Scenic.

 

 

 

Introduced in the Senate

The Tennessee Wilderness Act of 2010 (S. 3470)

On June 9, 2010, Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Bob Corker (R-TN) introduced legislation to protect nearly 20,000 acres of wilderness on the Cherokee National Forest.

The legislation will expand five existing wilderness areas, including Sampson Mountain and Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock, and create one new one, the Upper Bald River.

The measure will preserve important watersheds and habitat for native brook trout, black bear, bobcat, grey fox and white-tailed Deer and will protect a popular migratory, breeding and wintering habitat for numerous bird species.