No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2467 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2467
To designate as wilderness certain Federal portions of the red rock
canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin Deserts in the
State of Utah for the benefit of present and future generations of
people in the United States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 27, 2025
Ms. Stansbury (for herself, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Neal, Mr. Connolly, Mr.
Cohen, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Casten, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Pingree, Ms.
DeLauro, Ms. Craig, Mr. Cleaver, Ms. DeGette, Ms. Hoyle of Oregon, Mrs.
Hayes, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Lieu, Ms. Chu, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Lynch,
Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Garcia of Illinois, Mr. Mullin, Ms.
Matsui, Ms. Norton, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Sanchez, Ms.
Waters, Mr. Foster, Ms. Stevens, Ms. Omar, Mr. Neguse, Mr. Huffman, Mr.
Tonko, Mr. Carbajal, Ms. Meng, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Meeks, Ms.
Jayapal, and Mrs. Ramirez) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To designate as wilderness certain Federal portions of the red rock
canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin Deserts in the
State of Utah for the benefit of present and future generations of
people in the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``America's Red Rock
Wilderness Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Findings.
Sec. 4. Purposes.
TITLE I--DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS
Sec. 101. Great Basin Wilderness Areas.
Sec. 102. Grand Staircase-Escalante Wilderness Areas.
Sec. 103. Moab-La Sal Canyons Wilderness Areas.
Sec. 104. Henry Mountains Wilderness Areas.
Sec. 105. Glen Canyon Wilderness Areas.
Sec. 106. San Juan Wilderness Areas.
Sec. 107. Canyonlands Basin Wilderness Areas.
Sec. 108. San Rafael Swell Wilderness Areas.
Sec. 109. Book Cliffs-Greater Dinosaur Wilderness Areas.
TITLE II--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
Sec. 201. General provisions.
Sec. 202. Administration.
Sec. 203. State school trust land within wilderness areas.
Sec. 204. Water.
Sec. 205. Roads.
Sec. 206. Livestock.
Sec. 207. Fish and wildlife.
Sec. 208. Protection of Tribal rights.
Sec. 209. Management of newly acquired land.
Sec. 210. Withdrawal.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Land Management.
(2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Utah.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) the land designated as wilderness by this Act is one of
the largest remaining expanses of unprotected, wild public land
in the continental United States;
(2) the designation of wilderness by this Act would--
(A) increase landscape connectivity in the Colorado
Plateau; and
(B) help to mitigate the impacts of climate change
by--
(i) providing critical refugia;
(ii) reducing surface disturbances that
exacerbate the impacts of climate change;
(iii) reducing greenhouse gas emissions
related to the extraction and use of fossil
fuels; and
(iv) contributing to the goal of protecting
30 percent of global land and waters by 2030;
(3) the land designated as wilderness by this Act is--
(A) a living cultural landscape;
(B) a place of refuge for wild nature; and
(C) an important part of Indigenous and non-
Indigenous community values;
(4) Indian Tribes have been present on the land designated
as wilderness by this Act since time immemorial, using the
plant, animal, landform, and spiritual values for sustenance
and cultural, medicinal, and ceremonial activities, purposes
for which Indigenous people continue to use the land; and
(5) the designation of wilderness by this Act--
(A) is vital to the continuation and revitalization
of Indigenous cultures; and
(B) serves to protect places of Indigenous use and
sanctuary.
SEC. 4. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to designate as wilderness certain Federal portions of
the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Great
Basin Deserts in the State of Utah for the benefit of present
and future generations of people in the United States;
(2) to protect the cultural, ecological, and scenic values
of land designated as wilderness by this Act for the benefit,
use, and enjoyment of present and future generations of people
in the United States; and
(3) to protect the ability of Indigenous and non-Indigenous
people to use the land designated as wilderness by this Act for
traditional activities, including hunting, fishing, hiking,
horsepacking, camping, and spirituality as people have used the
land for generations.
TITLE I--DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS
SEC. 101. GREAT BASIN WILDERNESS AREAS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the Great Basin region of western Utah is comprised of
starkly beautiful mountain ranges that rise as islands from the
desert floor;
(2) the Wah Wah Mountains in the Great Basin region are
arid and austere, with massive cliff faces and leathery slopes
speckled with pinon and juniper;
(3) the Pilot Range and Stansbury Mountains in the Great
Basin region are high enough to draw moisture from passing
clouds and support ecosystems found nowhere else on earth;
(4) from bristlecone pine, the world's oldest living
organism, to newly flowered mountain meadows, mountains of the
Great Basin region are islands of nature that--
(A) support remarkable biological diversity; and
(B) provide opportunities to experience the
colossal silence of the Great Basin; and
(5) the Great Basin region of western Utah should be
protected and managed to ensure the preservation of the natural
conditions of the region.
(b) Designation.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as
wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness
Preservation System:
(1) Bald Eagle Mountain (approximately 9,000 acres).
(2) Barn Hills (approximately 21,000 acres).
(3) Big Hollow (approximately 4,000 acres).
(4) Black Hills (approximately 8,750 acres).
(5) Broken Ridge (approximately 9,250 acres).
(6) Bullgrass Knoll (approximately 15,750 acres).
(7) Burbank Hills (approximately 17,000 acres).
(8) Burbank Pass (approximately 30,000 acres).
(9) Chalk Knolls (approximately 16,500 acres).
(10) Cobb Peak (approximately 8,500 acres).
(11) Conger Mountain (approximately 21,750 acres).
(12) Crater Bench (approximately 35,000 acres).
(13) Crater Island East (approximately 53,000 acres).
(14) Crater Island West (approximately 30,000 acres).
(15) Cricket Mountain (approximately 16,500 acres).
(16) Crook Creek (approximately 20,000 acres).
(17) Deep Creek Mountains (approximately 127,000 acres).
(18) Disappointment Hills (approximately 24,000 acres).
(19) Drum Mountains (approximately 14,500 acres).
(20) Dugway Mountains (approximately 24,500 acres).
(21) Fish Springs Range (approximately 65,000 acres).
(22) Granite Mountain (approximately 19,250 acres).
(23) Granite Peak (approximately 19,500 acres).
(24) Grassy Mountains North (approximately 8,500 acres).
(25) Grassy Mountains South (approximately 16,500 acres).
(26) Hamlin (approximately 13,750 acres).
(27) Headlight Mountain (approximately 6,000 acres).
(28) Howell Peak (approximately 28,750 acres).
(29) Indian Peaks (approximately 15,750 acres).
(30) Jackson Wash (approximately 18,500 acres).
(31) Juniper (approximately 17,500 acres).
(32) Keg Mountains East (approximately 19,500 acres).
(33) Keg Mountains West (approximately 19,250 acres).
(34) Kern Mountains (approximately 15,000 acres).
(35) King Top (approximately 111,500 acres).
(36) Ledger Canyon (approximately 9,000 acres).
(37) Lion Peak (approximately 27,500 acres).
(38) Little Drum Mountains North (approximately 14,000
acres).
(39) Little Drum Mountains South (approximately 10,000
acres).
(40) Mahogany Peak (approximately 750 acres).
(41) Middle Burbank Hills (approximately 6,750 acres).
(42) Middle Mountains (approximately 39,750 acres).
(43) Mount Escalante (approximately 17,500 acres).
(44) Mountain Home Range North (approximately 21,500
acres).
(45) Mountain Home Range South (approximately 32,750
acres).
(46) Needle Mountains (approximately 12,000 acres).
(47) Newfoundland Mountains (approximately 24,500 acres).
(48) North Peaks (approximately 9,500 acres).
(49) North Stansbury Mountains (approximately 20,500
acres).
(50) Notch Peak (approximately 72,000 acres).
(51) Notch View (approximately 8,000 acres).
(52) Ochre Mountain (approximately 13,500 acres).
(53) Oquirrh Mountains (approximately 9,000 acres).
(54) Orr Ridge (approximately 11,000 acres).
(55) Painted Rock (approximately 26,500 acres).
(56) Paradise Mountain (approximately 40,000 acres).
(57) Pilot Mountains Central (approximately 8,000 acres).
(58) Pilot Peak (approximately 30,250 acres).
(59) Red Canyon (approximately 15,500 acres).
(60) Red Tops (approximately 28,000 acres).
(61) San Francisco Mountains (approximately 39,750 acres).
(62) Silver Island Mountains (approximately 37,500 acres).
(63) Snake Valley (approximately 66,250 acres).
(64) Spring Creek Canyon (approximately 5,250 acres).
(65) Stansbury Island (approximately 10,000 acres).
(66) Steamboat Mountain (approximately 40,250 acres).
(67) Swasey Peak (approximately 91,000 acres).
(68) The Toad (approximately 11,250 acres).
(69) Thomas Range (approximately 40,500 acres).
(70) Tule Valley (approximately 102,000 acres).
(71) Tule Valley South (approximately 19,000 acres).
(72) Tunnel Springs (approximately 23,000 acres).
(73) Wah Wah Mountains Central (approximately 6,750 acres).
(74) Wah Wah Mountains North (approximately 93,500 acres).
(75) Wah Wah Mountains South (approximately 17,750 acres).
(76) White Rock Range (approximately 5,000 acres).
(77) Wild Horse Pass (approximately 35,750 acres).
SEC. 102. GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE WILDERNESS AREAS.
(a) Grand Staircase Area.--
(1) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(A) the area known as the Grand Staircase rises
more than 6,000 feet in a series of great cliffs and
plateaus from the depths of the Grand Canyon to the
forested rim of Bryce Canyon;
(B) the Grand Staircase--
(i) spans 6 major life zones, from the
lower Sonoran Desert to the alpine forest; and
(ii) encompasses geologic formations that
display 3,000,000,000 years of Earth's history;
(C) land managed by the Secretary forms a vital
natural corridor connecting the deserts and forests of
the surrounding landscape, which includes Grand Canyon
National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park;
(D) each of the areas described in paragraph (2)
(other than East of Bryce, Moquith Mountain, Bunting
Point, Canaan Mountain, Orderville Canyon, Parunuweap
Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs, and the majority of Upper
Kanab Creek) is located within the Grand Staircase-
Escalante National Monument, as established in 1996;
and
(E) the Grand Staircase in Utah should be protected
and managed as a wilderness area.
(2) Designation.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16
U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are
designated as wilderness areas and as components of the
National Wilderness Preservation System:
(A) Bryce Boot (approximately 2,750 acres).
(B) Bryce View (approximately 4,500 acres).
(C) Bunting Point (approximately 11,500 acres).
(D) Canaan Mountain (approximately 15,250 acres).
(E) East of Bryce (approximately 750 acres).
(F) Glass Eye Canyon (approximately 25,500 acres).
(G) Ladder Canyon (approximately 14,500 acres).
(H) Moquith Mountain (approximately 15,750 acres).
(I) Nephi Point (approximately 14,750 acres).
(J) Orderville Canyon (approximately 8,000 acres).
(K) Paria-Hackberry (approximately 196,000 acres).
(L) Paria Wilderness Expansion (approximately 4,000
acres).
(M) Parunuweap Canyon (approximately 44,500 acres).
(N) Pine Hollow (approximately 11,000 acres).
(O) Timber Mountain (approximately 52,750 acres).
(P) Upper Kanab Creek (approximately 51,000 acres).
(Q) Vermillion Cliffs (approximately 25,000 acres).
(R) Willis Creek (approximately 22,000 acres).
(b) Kaiparowits Plateau.--
(1) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(A) the Kaiparowits Plateau east of the Paria River
is one of the most rugged and isolated wilderness
regions in the United States;
(B) the Kaiparowits Plateau, a windswept land of
harsh beauty, contains distant vistas and a remarkable
variety of plant and animal species;
(C) ancient forests, an abundance of big game
animals, and 22 species of raptors thrive undisturbed
on the grassland mesa tops of the Kaiparowits Plateau;
(D) each of the areas described in paragraph (2)
(other than Heaps Canyon, Little Valley, and Wide
Hollow) is located within the Grand Staircase-Escalante
National Monument, as established in 1996; and
(E) the Kaiparowits Plateau should be protected and
managed as a wilderness area.
(2) Designation.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16
U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are
designated as wilderness areas and as components of the
National Wilderness Preservation System:
(A) Andalex Not (approximately 18,000 acres).
(B) Box Canyon (approximately 3,000 acres).
(C) Burning Hills (approximately 81,500 acres).
(D) Canaan Peak Slopes (approximately 2,500 acres).
(E) Carcass Canyon (approximately 84,750 acres).
(F) Fiftymile Bench (approximately 12,750 acres).
(G) Fiftymile Mountain (approximately 207,000
acres).
(H) Heaps Canyon (approximately 4,000 acres).
(I) Horse Spring Canyon (approximately 32,000
acres).
(J) Kodachrome Headlands (approximately 9,750
acres).
(K) Little Valley Canyon (approximately 4,000
acres).
(L) Mud Spring Canyon (approximately 65,750 acres).
(M) Nipple Bench (approximately 31,750 acres).
(N) Paradise Canyon-Wahweap (approximately 266,500
acres).
(O) Rock Cove (approximately 17,000 acres).
(P) The Blues (approximately 22,000 acres).
(Q) The Cockscomb (approximately 11,750 acres).
(R) Warm Creek (approximately 24,000 acres).
(S) Wide Hollow (approximately 7,750 acres).
(c) Escalante Canyons.--
(1) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(A) glens and coves carved in massive sandstone
cliffs, spring-watered hanging gardens, and the silence
of ancient ruins are examples of the unique features
that entice hikers, campers, and sightseers from around
the world to the Escalante Canyons;
(B) the Escalante Canyons link the spruce fir
forests of the 11,000-foot Aquarius Plateau with the
winding slickrock canyons that flow into Glen Canyon;
(C) the Escalante Canyons, one of Utah's most
popular natural areas, contains critical habitat for
deer, elk, and wild bighorn sheep that also enhances
the scenic integrity of the area;
(D) each of the areas described in paragraph (2) is
located within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National
Monument, as established in 1996; and
(E) the Escalante Canyons should be protected and
managed as a wilderness area.
(2) Designation.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16
U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are
designated as wilderness areas and as components of the
National Wilderness Preservation System:
(A) Colt Mesa (approximately 28,250 acres).
(B) Death Hollow (approximately 49,750 acres).
(C) Forty Mile Gulch (approximately 7,500 acres).
(D) Lampstand (approximately 11,500 acres).
(E) Muley Twist Flank (approximately 3,750 acres).
(F) North Escalante Canyons (approximately 182,000
acres).
(G) Pioneer Mesa (approximately 11,000 acres).
(H) Scorpion (approximately 61,250 acres).
(I) Sooner Bench (approximately 500 acres).
(J) Steep Creek (approximately 35,750 acres).
(K) Studhorse Peaks (approximately 24,000 acres).
SEC. 103. MOAB-LA SAL CANYONS WILDERNESS AREAS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the canyons surrounding the La Sal Mountains and the
town of Moab offer a variety of extraordinary landscapes;
(2) outstanding examples of natural formations and
landscapes in the Moab-La Sal Canyons area include the huge
sandstone fins of Behind the Rocks, the mysterious Fisher
Towers, and the whitewater rapids of Westwater Canyon; and
(3) the Moab-La Sal Canyons should be protected and managed
as a wilderness area.
(b) Designation.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as
wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness
Preservation System:
(1) Arches National Park Adjacents (approximately 8,600
acres).
(2) Beaver Creek (approximately 45,000 acres).
(3) Behind the Rocks (approximately 19,500 acres).
(4) Big Triangle (approximately 21,500 acres).
(5) Coyote Wash (approximately 27,000 acres).
(6) Dome Plateau (approximately 36,750 acres).
(7) Fisher Towers (approximately 19,000 acres).
(8) Goldbar Canyon (approximately 9,500 acres).
(9) Granite Creek (approximately 5,000 acres).
(10) Hunter Canyon (approximately 5,500 acres).
(11) Mary Jane Canyon (approximately 28,500 acres).
(12) Mill Creek (approximately 17,250 acres).
(13) Morning Glory (approximately 11,000 acres).
(14) Porcupine Rim (approximately 10,500 acres).
(15) Renegade Point (approximately 6,250 acres).
(16) Westwater Canyon (approximately 39,000 acres).
(17) Yellow Bird (approximately 4,500 acres).
SEC. 104. HENRY MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS AREAS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the Henry Mountain Range, the last mountain range to be
discovered and named by early explorers in the contiguous
United States, still retains a wild and undiscovered quality;
(2) fluted badlands that surround the flanks of 11,000-foot
Mounts Ellen and Pennell contain areas of critical habitat for
mule deer and for the largest herd of free-roaming buffalo in
the United States;
(3) despite their relative accessibility, the Henry
Mountain Range remains one of the wildest, least-known ranges
in the United States; and
(4) the Henry Mountain Range should be protected and
managed to ensure the preservation of the range as a wilderness
area.
(b) Designation.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as
wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness
Preservation System:
(1) Bull Mountain (approximately 16,000 acres).
(2) Bullfrog Creek (approximately 42,000 acres).
(3) Dogwater Creek (approximately 5,000 acres).
(4) Fremont Gorge (approximately 22,000 acres).
(5) Long Canyon (approximately 16,500 acres).
(6) Mount Ellen-Blue Hills (approximately 14,750 acres).
(7) Mount Hillers (approximately 20,250 acres).
(8) Mount Pennell (approximately 155,500 acres).
(9) Notom Bench (approximately 6,250 acres).
(10) Ragged Mountain (approximately 29,250 acres).
SEC. 105. GLEN CANYON WILDERNESS AREAS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the side canyons of Glen Canyon, including the Dirty
Devil River and the Red, White and Blue Canyons, contain some
of the most remote and outstanding landscapes in southern Utah;
(2) the Dirty Devil River, once the fortress hideout of
outlaw Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch, has sculpted a maze of
slickrock canyons through an imposing landscape of monoliths
and inaccessible mesas;
(3) the Red and Blue Canyons contain colorful Chinle/
Moenkopi badlands found nowhere else in the region;
(4) Dark Canyon, Fort Knocker, Tuwa Canyon, Upper Red
Canyon, White Canyon, and a portion of Red Rock Plateau are
located within the Bears Ears National Monument, as established
in 2016; and
(5) the canyons of Glen Canyon in the State should be
protected and managed as wilderness areas.
(b) Designation.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as
wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness
Preservation System:
(1) Cane Spring Desert (approximately 18,250 acres).
(2) Copper Point (approximately 4,500 acres).
(3) Dark Canyon (approximately 139,000 acres).
(4) Dirty Devil (approximately 245,000 acres).
(5) Fiddler Butte (approximately 93,000 acres).
(6) Flat Tops (approximately 29,750 acres).
(7) Fort Knocker (approximately 12,500 acres).
(8) Little Rockies (approximately 64,000 acres).
(9) Pleasant Creek Bench (approximately 1,000 acres).
(10) Red Rock Plateau (approximately 185,500 acres).
(11) The Needle (approximately 10,750 acres).
(12) Tuwa Canyon (approximately 9,750 acres).
(13) Upper Red Canyon (approximately 25,000 acres).
(14) White Canyon (approximately 78,000 acres).
SEC. 106. SAN JUAN WILDERNESS AREAS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) more than 1,000 years ago, Indigenous culture
flourished in the slickrock canyons and on the pinon-covered
mesas of southeastern Utah;
(2) evidence of the presence of Indigenous people pervades
the Cedar Mesa area of the San Juan area where cliff dwellings,
rock art, and ceremonial kivas are found in sandstone overhangs
and isolated benchlands;
(3) the Cedar Mesa area is in need of protection from the
vandalism and theft of its unique cultural resources;
(4) the Cedar Mesa wilderness areas should be created to
protect both the archaeological heritage and the extraordinary
wilderness, scenic, and ecological values of the United States;
(5) each of the areas described in subsection (b) (other
than Cross Canyon, Monument Canyon, Tin Cup Mesa, and most of
Nokai Dome and San Juan River) are located within the Bears
Ears National Monument, as established in 2016; and
(6) the San Juan area should be protected and managed as a
wilderness area to ensure the preservation of the unique and
valuable resources of that area.
(b) Designation.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as
wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness
Preservation System:
(1) Allen Canyon (approximately 6,500 acres).
(2) Arch Canyon (approximately 30,500 acres).
(3) Comb Ridge (approximately 16,000 acres).
(4) Cross Canyon (approximately 2,500 acres).
(5) Fish and Owl Creek Canyons (approximately 74,000
acres).
(6) Grand Gulch (approximately 161,250 acres).
(7) Hammond Canyon (approximately 4,750 acres).
(8) Lime Creek (approximately 5,500 acres).
(9) Monument Canyon (approximately 18,000 acres).
(10) Nokai Dome (approximately 94,250 acres).
(11) Road Canyon (approximately 64,000 acres).
(12) San Juan River (approximately 14,750 acres).
(13) The Tabernacle (approximately 7,250 acres).
(14) Tin Cup Mesa (approximately 26,000 acres).
(15) Valley of the Gods (approximately 14,500 acres).
SEC. 107. CANYONLANDS BASIN WILDERNESS AREAS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) Canyonlands National Park safeguards only a small
portion of the extraordinary red-hued, cliff-walled canyonland
region of the Colorado Plateau;
(2) areas near Canyonlands National Park contain canyons
with rushing perennial streams, natural arches, bridges, and
towers;
(3) the gorges of the Green and Colorado Rivers lie on
adjacent land managed by the Secretary;
(4) popular overlooks in Canyonlands National Park and Dead
Horse Point State Park have views directly into adjacent areas,
including Lockhart Basin and Indian Creek;
(5) each of the areas described in subsection (b) (other
than Dead Horse Cliffs, Horsethief Point, Labyrinth Canyon
Wilderness Expansion, San Rafael River, Sweetwater Reef, and a
portion of Gooseneck) are located within the Bears Ears
National Monument, as established in 2016; and
(6) designation of those areas as wilderness would ensure
the protection of this erosional masterpiece of nature and of
the rich pockets of wildlife found within its expanded
boundaries.
(b) Designation.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as
wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness
Preservation System:
(1) Bridger Jack Mesa (approximately 33,500 acres).
(2) Butler Wash (approximately 27,000 acres).
(3) Dead Horse Cliffs (approximately 5,250 acres).
(4) Demon's Playground (approximately 3,6500 acres).
(5) Gooseneck (approximately 9,500 acres).
(6) Hatch Point/Lockhart Basin/Harts Point (approximately
150,500 acres).
(7) Horsethief Point (approximately 15,500 acres).
(8) Indian Creek (approximately 28,500 acres).
(9) Labyrinth Canyon Wilderness Expansion
(approximately158,750 acres).
(10) San Rafael River (approximately 97,250 acres).
(11) Shay Mountain (approximately 15,500 acres).
(12) Sweetwater Reef (approximately 69,250 acres).
SEC. 108. SAN RAFAEL SWELL WILDERNESS AREAS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the San Rafael Swell towers above the desert like a
castle, ringed by 1,000-foot ramparts of Navajo Sandstone;
(2) the highlands of the San Rafael Swell have been
fractured by uplift and rendered hollow by erosion over
countless millennia, leaving a tremendous basin punctuated by
mesas, buttes, and canyons and traversed by sediment-laden
desert streams;
(3) the mountains within these areas are among Utah's most
valuable habitat for desert bighorn sheep; and
(4) the San Rafael Swell area should be protected and
managed to ensure its preservation as a wilderness area.
(b) Designation.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as
wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness
Preservation System:
(1) Capitol Reef National Park Adjacents (approximately
9,000 acres).
(2) Cedar Mountain (approximately 15,250 acres).
(3) Devils Canyon Wilderness Expansion (approximately
14,500 acres).
(4) Eagle Canyon (approximately 39,000 acres).
(5) Factory Butte (approximately 22,250 acres).
(6) Hondu Country Wilderness Expansion (approximately 3,000
acres).
(7) Jones Bench (approximately 3,500 acres).
(8) Limestone Cliffs (approximately 25,500 acres).
(9) Lost Spring Wash (approximately 36,500 acres).
(10) Mexican Mountain Wilderness Expansion (approximately
29,750 acres).
(11) Molen Reef (approximately 32,500 acres).
(12) Muddy Creek Wilderness Expansion (approximately 85,000
acres).
(13) Mussentuchit Badlands (approximately 25,000 acres).
(14) Price River-Humbug (approximately 122,250 acres).
(15) Red Desert (approximately 30,750 acres).
(16) Rock Canyon (approximately 17,750 acres).
(17) San Rafael Knob (approximately 16,750 acres).
(18) San Rafael Reef Wilderness Expansion (approximately
60,750 acres).
(19) Sids Mountain Wilderness Expansion (approximately
39,250 acres).
(20) Upper Muddy Creek (approximately 18,500 acres).
(21) Wild Horse Mesa Wilderness Expansion (approximately
56,000 acres).
SEC. 109. BOOK CLIFFS-GREATER DINOSAUR WILDERNESS AREAS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the Book Cliffs-Greater Dinosaur Wilderness Areas
offer--
(A) unique big game hunting opportunities in
verdant high-plateau forests; and
(B) the opportunity for float trips of several days
duration down the Green River in Desolation Canyon;
(2) the long rampart of the Book Cliffs bounds the area on
the south, while the uplands, plateaus, rivers, and canyons of
the Greater Dinosaur area provide connectivity with Dinosaur
National Monument and the northernmost extent of the Colorado
Plateau;
(3) bears, bighorn sheep, cougars, elk, and mule deer
flourish in the backcountry of the Book Cliffs; and
(4) the Book Cliffs-Greater Dinosaur Wilderness Areas
should be protected and managed to ensure the protection of the
areas as wilderness.
(b) Designation.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as
wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness
Preservation System:
(1) Bad Land Cliffs (approximately 11,500 acres).
(2) Beach Draw (approximately 1,000 acres).
(3) Bourdette Draw (approximately 15,750 acres).
(4) Bull Canyon (approximately 3,000 acres).
(5) Dead Horse Pass (approximately 8,500 acres).
(6) Desbrough Canyon (approximately 14,000 acres).
(7) Desolation Canyon Wilderness Expansion (approximately
293,500 acres).
(8) Diamond Breaks (approximately 8,600 acres).
(9) Diamond Canyon (approximately 168,000 acres).
(10) Diamond Mountain (approximately 30,500 acres).
(11) Goslin Mountain (approximately 3,750 acres).
(12) Hideout Canyon (approximately 12,750 acres).
(13) Lower Flaming Gorge (approximately 21,000 acres).
(14) Mexico Point (approximately 14,750 acres).
(15) Moonshine Draw (approximately 10,750 acres).
(16) Mountain Home (approximately 8,000 acres).
(17) O-Wi-Yu-Kuts (approximately 14,500 acres).
(18) Red Creek Badlands (approximately 4500 acres).
(19) Split Mountain Benches (approximately 2,750 acres).
(20) Stone Bridge Draw (approximately 3,500 acres).
(21) Stuntz Draw (approximately 2,000 acres).
(22) Survey Point (approximately 8,750 acres).
(23) Turtle Canyon Wilderness Expansion (approximately
7,500 acres).
(24) Vivas Cake Hill (approximately 250 acres).
(25) Wild Mountain (approximately 750 acres).
TITLE II--ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
SEC. 201. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) Names of Wilderness Areas.--Each wilderness area named in title
I shall--
(1) consist of the quantity of land referenced with respect
to that named area, as generally depicted on the map entitled
``America's Red Rock Wilderness Act, 118th Congress''; and
(2) be known by the name given to it in title I.
(b) Map and Description.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and a
legal description of each wilderness area designated by this
Act with--
(A) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House
of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate.
(2) Force of law.--A map and legal description filed under
paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if
included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct
clerical and typographical errors in the map and legal
description.
(3) Public availability.--Each map and legal description
filed under paragraph (1) shall be filed and made available for
public inspection in the Office of the Director of the Bureau
of Land Management.
SEC. 202. ADMINISTRATION.
Subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of
this Act, each wilderness area designated under this Act shall be
administered by the Secretary in accordance with--
(1) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and
(2) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.).
SEC. 203. STATE SCHOOL TRUST LAND WITHIN WILDERNESS AREAS.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), if State-owned land is
included in an area designated by this Act as a wilderness area, the
Secretary shall offer to exchange land owned by the United States in
the State of approximately equal value in accordance with section
603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C.
1782(c)) and section 5(a) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1134(a)).
(b) Mineral Interests.--The Secretary shall not transfer any
mineral interests under subsection (a) unless the State transfers to
the Secretary any mineral interests in land designated by this Act as a
wilderness area.
SEC. 204. WATER.
(a) Reservation.--
(1) Water for wilderness areas.--
(A) In general.--With respect to each wilderness
area designated by this Act, Congress reserves a
quantity of water determined by the Secretary to be
sufficient for the wilderness area.
(B) Priority date.--The priority date of a right
reserved under subparagraph (A) shall be the date of
enactment of this Act.
(2) Protection of rights.--The Secretary and other officers
and employees of the United States shall take any steps
necessary to protect the rights reserved by paragraph (1)(A),
including the filing of a claim for the quantification of the
rights in any present or future appropriate stream adjudication
in the courts of the State--
(A) in which the United States is or may be joined;
and
(B) that is conducted in accordance with section
208 of the Department of Justice Appropriation Act,
1953 (66 Stat. 560, chapter 651).
(b) Prior Rights Not Affected.--Nothing in this Act relinquishes or
reduces any water rights reserved or appropriated by the United States
in the State on or before the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Administration.--
(1) Specification of rights.--The Federal water rights
reserved by this Act are specific to the wilderness areas
designated by this Act.
(2) No precedent established.--Nothing in this Act related
to reserved Federal water rights--
(A) shall establish a precedent with regard to any
future designation of water rights; or
(B) shall affect the interpretation of any other
Act or any designation made under any other Act.
SEC. 205. ROADS.
(a) Setbacks.--
(1) Measurement in general.--A setback under this section
shall be measured from the center line of the road.
(2) Wilderness on 1 side of roads.--Except as provided in
subsection (b), a setback for a road with wilderness on only 1
side shall be set at--
(A) 300 feet from a paved Federal or State highway;
(B) 100 feet from any other paved road or high
standard dirt or gravel road; and
(C) 30 feet from any other road.
(3) Wilderness on both sides of roads.--Except as provided
in subsection (b), a setback for a road with wilderness on both
sides (including cherry-stems or roads separating 2 wilderness
units) shall be set at--
(A) 200 feet from a paved Federal or State highway;
(B) 40 feet from any other paved road or high
standard dirt or gravel road; and
(C) 10 feet from any other roads.
(b) Setback Exceptions.--
(1) Well-defined topographical barriers.--If, between the
road and the boundary of a setback area described in paragraph
(2) or (3) of subsection (a), there is a well-defined cliff
edge, stream bank, or other topographical barrier, the
Secretary shall use the barrier as the wilderness boundary.
(2) Fences.--If, between the road and the boundary of a
setback area specified in paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection
(a), there is a fence running parallel to a road, the Secretary
shall use the fence as the wilderness boundary if, in the
opinion of the Secretary, doing so would result in a more
manageable boundary.
(3) Deviations from setback areas.--
(A) Exclusion of disturbances from wilderness
boundaries.--In cases where there is an existing
livestock development, dispersed camping area, borrow
pit, or similar disturbance within 100 feet of a road
that forms part of a wilderness boundary, the Secretary
may delineate the boundary so as to exclude the
disturbance from the wilderness area.
(B) Limitation on exclusion of disturbances.--The
Secretary shall make a boundary adjustment under
subparagraph (A) only if the Secretary determines that
doing so is consistent with wilderness management
goals.
(C) Deviations restricted to minimum necessary.--
Any deviation under this paragraph from the setbacks
required under in paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection
(a) shall be the minimum necessary to exclude the
disturbance.
(c) Delineation Within Setback Area.--The Secretary may delineate a
wilderness boundary at a location within a setback under paragraph (2)
or (3) of subsection (a) if, as determined by the Secretary, the
delineation would enhance wilderness management goals.
SEC. 206. LIVESTOCK.
Within the wilderness areas designated under title I, the grazing
of livestock authorized on the date of enactment of this Act shall be
permitted to continue subject to such reasonable regulations and
procedures as the Secretary considers necessary, as long as the
regulations and procedures are consistent with--
(1) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and
(2) section 101(f) of the Arizona Desert Wilderness Act of
1990 (Public Law 101-628; 104 Stat. 4469).
SEC. 207. FISH AND WILDLIFE.
Nothing in this Act affects the jurisdiction of the State with
respect to wildlife and fish on the public land located in the State.
SEC. 208. PROTECTION OF TRIBAL RIGHTS.
Nothing in this Act affects or modifies--
(1) any right of any federally recognized Indian Tribe; or
(2) any obligation of the United States to any federally
recognized Indian Tribe.
SEC. 209. MANAGEMENT OF NEWLY ACQUIRED LAND.
Any land within the boundaries of a wilderness area designated
under this Act that is acquired by the Federal Government shall--
(1) become part of the wilderness area in which the land is
located; and
(2) be managed in accordance with this Act and other laws
applicable to wilderness areas.
SEC. 210. WITHDRAWAL.
Subject to valid rights existing on the date of enactment of this
Act, the Federal land referred to in title I is withdrawn from all
forms of--
(1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under public law;
(2) location, entry, and patent under mining law; and
(3) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and
geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
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