Central Coast Heritage Protection Act - Designates specified Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest System lands in California as wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Designates certain land in Los Padres National Forest in California, comprising approximately 2,174 acres, as the Machesna Mountain Potential Wilderness Area. Requires such Area to be incorporated into the Machesna Mountain Wilderness Area.
Designates specified segments of the Indian, Mono, Matilija, Sespe, and Piru Creeks and Sisquoc River in California as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Designates certain land in the Los Padres National Forest in California, comprising approximately 41,617 acres, as the Fox Mountain Potential Wilderness Area. Requires such Area to be incorporated into the San Rafael Wilderness.
Designates specified land: (1) in Los Padres National Forest comprising approximately 18,666 acres, as the Condor Ridge Scenic Area; and (2) in Los Padres National Forest and in the Bakersfield Field Office of the BLM, comprising approximately 15,846 acres, as the Black Mountain Scenic Area.
Designates the Condor Trail in Monterey County, California, as the Condor National Recreation Trail.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to study: (1) connecting the northern and southern parts of the Los Padres National Forest using a trail corridor across parts of the Northern and Southern Santa Lucia Mountains of the Southern California Coastal Range; and (2) nonmotorized recreation trail opportunities (including mountain bicycling) on land not designated as wilderness by this Act within the Santa Barbara, Ojai, and Mt. Pinos ranger districts.
Ensures that Indian tribes have access to the wilderness areas, scenic areas, and potential wilderness areas designated by this Act for traditional cultural and religious purposes.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4685 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4685
To designate certain Federal lands in California as wilderness, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 20, 2014
Mrs. Capps (for herself, Ms. Brownley of California, and Mr. Farr)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To designate certain Federal lands in California as wilderness, and for
other purposes.
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 ``Central Coast
Heritage Protection Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Designation of wilderness.
Sec. 4. Designation of the Machesna Mountain Potential Wilderness.
Sec. 5. Administration of wilderness.
Sec. 6. Designation of wild and scenic rivers.
Sec. 7. Designation of the Fox Mountain Potential Wilderness.
Sec. 8. Designation of scenic areas.
Sec. 9. Condor National Recreation Trail.
Sec. 10. Forest Service study.
Sec. 11. Nonmotorized recreation opportunities.
Sec. 12. Use by members of Native American tribes.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Scenic areas.--The term ``scenic areas'' means the
Condor Ridge Scenic Area and Black Mountain Scenic Area
designated by this Act.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means--
(A) with respect to lands managed by the Bureau of
Land Management, the Secretary of the Interior; and
(B) with respect to lands managed by the Forest
Service, the Secretary of Agriculture.
(3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of
California.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS.
(a) In General.--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) Certain land in the Bakersfield Field Office of the
Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 35,619
acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Caliente
Mountain Wilderness Area--Proposed'' and dated ___, which shall
be known as the ``Caliente Mountain Wilderness''.
(2) Certain land in the Bakersfield Field Office of the
Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 13,332
acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Soda Lake
Wilderness Area--Proposed'' and dated ___, which shall be known
as the ``Soda Lake Wilderness''.
(3) Certain land in the Bakersfield Field Office of the
Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 12,585
acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Temblor
Range Wilderness Area--Proposed'' and dated ___, which shall be
known as the ``Temblor Range Wilderness''.
(4) Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest
comprising approximately 23,524 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``Chumash Wilderness Area Additions--
Proposed'' and dated ___, which shall be incorporated into and
managed as part of the Chumash Wilderness as designated by the
Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act (Public Law
102-301; 106 Stat. 242).
(5) Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest
comprising approximately 54,609 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``Dick Smith Wilderness Area Additions--
Proposed'' and dated ___, which shall be incorporated into and
managed as part of the Dick Smith Wilderness as designated by
the California Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-425; 16
U.S.C. 1132 note).
(6) Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest and the
Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management
comprising approximately 7,315 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``Garcia Wilderness Area Additions--Proposed''
and dated ___, which shall be incorporated into and managed as
part of the Garcia Wilderness as designated by the Los Padres
Condor Range and River Protection Act (Public Law 102-301; 106
Stat. 242).
(7) Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest and the
Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management
comprising approximately 8,081 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``Machesna Mountain Wilderness Area
Additions--Proposed'' and dated ___, which shall be
incorporated into and managed as part of the Machesna Mountain
Wilderness as designated by the California Wilderness Act of
1984 (Public Law 98-425; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note).
(8) Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest
comprising approximately 29,677 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``Matilija Wilderness Area Additions--
Proposed'' and dated ___, which shall be incorporated into and
managed as part of the Matilija Wilderness as designated by the
Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act (Public Law
102-301; 106 Stat. 242).
(9) Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest
comprising approximately 24,131 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``San Rafael Wilderness Area Additions--
Proposed'' and dated ___, which shall be incorporated into and
managed as part of the San Rafael Wilderness as designated by
Public Law 90-271 (82 Stat. 51), the California Wilderness Act
of 1984 (Public Law 98-425; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note), and the Los
Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act (Public Law 102-
301; 106 Stat. 242).
(10) Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest
comprising approximately 3,153 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``Santa Lucia Wilderness Area Additions--
Proposed'' and dated ___, which shall be incorporated into and
managed as part of the Santa Lucia Wilderness as designated by
the Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-
237; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note).
(11) Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest
comprising approximately 14,795 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``Sespe Wilderness Area Additions--Proposed''
and dated ___, which shall be incorporated into and managed as
part of the Sespe Wilderness as designated by the Los Padres
Condor Range and River Protection Act (Public Law 102-301; 106
Stat. 242).
(12) Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest
comprising approximately 18,176 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``Diablo Caliente Wilderness Area--Proposed''
and dated ____, which shall be known as the ``Diablo Caliente
Wilderness''.
(b) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file maps and
legal descriptions of the wilderness areas and wilderness
additions designated by subsection (a) 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.--The maps and legal descriptions filed
under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if
included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct any
clerical and typographical errors in the map and legal
description.
(3) Public availability.--The maps and legal descriptions
filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for
public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest
Service and Bureau of Land Management.
SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF THE MACHESNA MOUNTAIN POTENTIAL WILDERNESS.
(a) Designation.--In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness
Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), certain land in the Los Padres National
Forest comprising approximately 2,174 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``Machesna Mountain Potential Wilderness Area'' and
dated _____, is designated as the Machesna Mountain Potential
Wilderness Area.
(b) Map and Legal Description.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and a
legal description of the Machesna Mountain Potential Wilderness
Area (referred to in this section as the ``potential wilderness
area'') 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.--The 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 any
clerical and typographical errors in the map and legal
description.
(3) Public availability.--The map and legal description
filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for
public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest
Service.
(c) Management.--Except as provided in subsection (d) and subject
to valid existing rights, the Secretary shall manage the potential
wilderness area in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131
et seq.).
(d) Trail Use, Construction, Reconstruction, and Realignment.--
(1) In general.--In accordance with paragraph (2), the
Secretary is authorized to reconstruct, realign, or reroute the
Pine Mountain Trail.
(2) Requirement.--In carrying out the reconstruction,
realignment, or rerouting under paragraph (1), the Secretary
shall--
(A) comply with all existing laws (including
regulations); and
(B) to the maximum extent practicable, use the
minimum tool or administrative practice necessary to
accomplish the reconstruction, realignment, or
rerouting with the least amount of adverse impact on
wilderness character and resources.
(3) Motorized vehicles and machinery.--In accordance with
paragraph (2), the Secretary may use motorized vehicles and
machinery to carry out the trail reconstruction, realignment,
or rerouting authorized by this section.
(4) Motorized and mechanized vehicles.--The Secretary may
permit the use of motorized and mechanized vehicles on the
existing Pine Mountain Trail in accordance with existing law
(including regulations) and this section until such date as the
potential wilderness area is designated wilderness in
accordance with subsection (h).
(e) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land
in the potential wilderness area is withdrawn from all forms of--
(1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land
laws;
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and
geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
(f) Cooperative Agreements.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with State, tribal, and
local governmental entities and private entities to complete the trail
reconstruction, realignment, or rerouting authorized by subsection (d).
(g) Boundaries.--The Secretary shall modify the boundary of the
potential wilderness area to exclude any area within 150 feet of the
centerline of the new location of any trail that has been
reconstructed, realigned, or rerouted under subsection (d).
(h) Wilderness Designation.--
(1) In general.--The potential wilderness area, as modified
under subsection (g), shall be designated as wilderness and as
a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System on
the date on which the Secretary publishes in the Federal
Register notice that the trail reconstruction, realignment, or
rerouting authorized by subsection (d) has been completed or 20
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, whichever
comes sooner.
(2) Administration of wilderness.--Upon designation as
wilderness under this section, the potential wilderness area
shall be--
(A) incorporated into the Machesna Mountain
Wilderness Area, as designated by the California
Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-425; 16 U.S.C.
1132 note) and expanded by section 3; and
(B) administered in accordance with section 5 and
the Wilderness Act.
SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION OF WILDERNESS.
(a) In General.--Subject to valid existing rights, the wilderness
areas and wilderness additions designated by section 3 shall be
administered by the Secretary in accordance with this Act and the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that--
(1) any reference in the Wilderness Act to the effective
date of that Act shall be considered to be a reference to the
date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) any reference in the Wilderness Act to the Secretary of
Agriculture shall be considered a reference to the Secretary
that has jurisdiction over the land.
(b) Fire Management and Related Activities.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may take such measures in a
wilderness area or wilderness addition designated by section 3
as are necessary for the control of fire, insects, and diseases
in accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16
U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)) and House Report 98-40 of the 98th Congress.
(2) Funding priorities.--Nothing in this Act limits funding
for fire and fuels management in the wilderness areas or
wilderness additions designated by this Act.
(3) Revision and development of local fire management
plans.--As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall amend the local fire
management plans that apply to the land designated as a
wilderness area or wilderness addition by section 3.
(4) Administration.--Consistent with paragraph (1) and
other applicable Federal law, to ensure a timely and efficient
response to fire emergencies in the wilderness areas or
wilderness additions designated by section 3, the Secretary
shall--
(A) not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, establish agency approval
procedures (including appropriate delegations of
authority to the Forest Supervisor, District Manager,
or other agency officials) for responding to fire
emergencies; and
(B) enter into agreements with appropriate State or
local firefighting agencies.
(c) Grazing.--The grazing of livestock in the wilderness areas and
wilderness additions designated by section 3, if established before the
date of the enactment of this Act, shall be permitted to continue,
subject to such reasonable regulations as the Secretary considers
necessary in accordance with--
(1) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1133(d)(4));
(2) the guidelines set forth in Appendix A of House Report
101-405, accompanying H.R. 2570 of the 101st Congress for lands
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior;
(3) the guidelines set forth in House Report 96-617,
accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress for lands under the
jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture; and
(4) all other laws governing livestock grazing on Federal
public lands.
(d) Fish and Wildlife.--
(1) In general.--In accordance with section 4(d)(7) of the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(7)), nothing in this Act
affects the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State with
respect to fish and wildlife on public land in the State.
(2) Management activities.--In furtherance of the purposes
and principles of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.),
the Secretary may conduct any management activities that are
necessary to maintain or restore fish and wildlife populations
and habitats in the wilderness areas and wilderness additions
designated by section 3, if the management activities are--
(A) consistent with relevant wilderness management
plans; and
(B) conducted in accordance with appropriate
policies, such as the policies established in Appendix
B of House Report 101-405.
(3) Wildlife water development projects.--Management
activities to maintain water sources for wildlife may be
carried out within wilderness areas designated by this Act and
may include the use of motorized vehicles by the appropriate
agencies and their designees if--
(A) the water sources will, as determined by the
Secretary, enhance wilderness values by promoting
healthy and viable wildlife populations; and
(B) the visual impacts of the water sources on the
wilderness areas can reasonably be minimized.
(e) Buffer Zones.--
(1) In general.--Congress does not intend for designation
of wilderness by this Act to lead to the creation of protective
perimeters or buffer zones around each wilderness area or
wilderness addition.
(2) Activities or uses up to boundaries.--The fact that
nonwilderness activities or uses can be seen or heard from
within a wilderness area shall not, of itself, preclude the
activities or uses up to the boundary of the wilderness area.
(f) Military Activities.--Nothing in this Act precludes--
(1) low-level overflights of military aircraft over the
wilderness areas or wilderness additions designated by section
3;
(2) the designation of new units of special airspace over
the wilderness areas or wilderness additions designated by
section 3; or
(3) the use or establishment of military flight training
routes over wilderness areas or wilderness additions designated
by section 3.
(g) Horses.--Nothing in this Act precludes horseback riding in, or
the entry of recreational or commercial saddle or pack stock into, a
wilderness area or wilderness addition designated by section 3--
(1) in accordance with section 4(d)(5) of the Wilderness
Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(5)); and
(2) subject to any terms and conditions determined to be
necessary by the Secretary.
(h) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the wilderness
areas and wilderness additions designated by section 3 are withdrawn
from--
(1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under
the public land laws;
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and
geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
(i) Incorporation of Acquired Land and Interests.--Any land within
the boundary of a wilderness area or wilderness addition designated by
section 3 that is acquired by the United States shall--
(1) become part of the wilderness area in which the land is
located; and
(2) be managed in accordance with this section, the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), and any other
applicable law.
(j) Climatological Data Collection.--In accordance with the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and subject to such terms and
conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may authorize
the installation and maintenance of hydrologic, meteorologic, or
climatological collection devices in the wilderness areas and
wilderness additions designated by section 3 if the Secretary
determines that the facilities and access to the facilities are
essential to flood warning, flood control, or water reservoir operation
activities.
SEC. 6. DESIGNATION OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS.
(a) Indian Creek, Mono Creek, and Matilija Creek, California.--
Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(__) Indian creek, california.--The following segments of
Indian Creek in the State of California, to be administered by
the Secretary of Agriculture:
``(A) The 9.5-mile segment of Indian Creek from its
source in section 19, T7N, R26W to the Dick Smith
Wilderness boundary, as a wild river.
``(B) The 1-mile segment of Indian Creek from the
Dick Smith Wilderness boundary to 0.25 miles downstream
of Road 6N24, as a scenic river.
``(C) The 3.9-mile segment of Indian Creek from
0.25 miles downstream of Road 6N24 to the southern
boundary of section 32, T6N, R26W, as a wild river.
``(__) Mono creek, california.--The following segments of
Mono Creek in the State of California, to be administered by
the Secretary of Agriculture:
``(A) The 4.2-mile segment of Mono Creek from its
source in section 1, T7N, R26W, to 0.25 miles upstream
of Don Victor Fire Road in section 28, T7N, R25W, as a
wild river.
``(B) The 2.1-mile segment of Mono Creek from 0.25
miles upstream of the Don Victor Fire Road in section
28, T7N, R25W to 0.25 miles downstream of Don Victor
Fire Road in section 34, T7N, R25W, as a recreational
river.
``(C) The 14.7-mile segment of Mono Creek from 0.25
miles downstream of Don Victor Fire Road in section 34,
T7N, R25W to the Ogilvy Ranch private property boundary
in section 22, R26W, T6N, as a wild river.
``(D) The 3.5-mile segment of Mono Creek from the
Ogilvy Ranch private property boundary to the southern
boundary of section 33, T6N, R26N, as a recreational
river.
``(__) Matilija creek, california.--The following segments
of Matilija Creek in the State of California, to be
administered by the Secretary of Agriculture:
``(A) The 7.2-mile segment of the Matilija Creek
from its source in section 25, T6N, R25W to the private
property boundary in section 9, T5N, R24W, as a wild
river.
``(B) The 7.25-mile segment of the Upper North Fork
Matilija Creek from its source in section 36, T6N, R24W
to the Matilija Wilderness boundary, as a wild
river.''.
(b) Sespe Creek, California.--Section 3(a)(142) of the Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)(142) is amended to read as
follows:
``(142) Sespe creek, california.--The following segments of
Sespe Creek in the State of California, to be administered by
the Secretary of Agriculture:
``(A) The 2.7-mile segment of Sespe Creek from the
private property boundary in section 10, T6N, R24W, to
the Hartman Ranch private property boundary in section
14, T6N, R24W, as a wild river.
``(B) The 15-mile segment of Sespe Creek from the
Hartman Ranch private property boundary in section 14,
T6N, R24W, to the western boundary of section 6, T5N,
R22W, as a recreational river.
``(C) The 6.1-miles segment of Sespe Creek from the
western boundary of section 6, T5N, R22W, to the
confluence with Trout Creek, as a scenic river.
``(D) The 28.6-mile segment of Sespe Creek from the
confluence with Trout Creek to the southern boundary of
section 35, T5N, R20W, as a wild river.''.
(c) Sisquoc River, California.--Section 3(a)(143) of the Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)(143) is amended to read as
follows:
``(143) Sisquoc river, california.--The following segments
of the Sisquoc River and its tributaries in the State of
California, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture:
``(A) The 33-mile segment of the main stem of the
Sisquoc River extending from its origin downstream to
the Los Padres Forest boundary, as a wild river.
``(B) The 4.2-mile segment of the South Fork
Sisquoc River from its source northeast of San Rafael
Mountain in section 2, T7N, R28W to its confluence with
the Sisquoc River, as a wild river.
``(C) The 10.4-mile segment of Manzana Creek from
its source west of San Rafael Peak in section 4, T&N,
R28W to the San Rafael Wilderness boundary upstream of
Nira Campground, as a wild river.
``(D) The 0.6-mile segment of Manzana Creek from
the San Rafael Wilderness boundary upstream of the Nira
Campground to the San Rafael Wilderness boundary
downstream of the confluence of Davy Brown Creek, as a
recreational river.
``(E) The 5.8-mile segment of Manzana Creek from
the San Rafael Wilderness boundary downstream of the
confluence of Davy Brown Creek to the private property
boundary in section 1, T8N, R30W, as a wild river.
``(F) The 3.8-mile segment of Manzana Creek from
the private property boundary in section 1, T8N, R30W,
to the confluence of the Sisquoc River, as a
recreational river.
``(G) The 3.4-mile segment of Davy Brown Creek from
its source west of Ranger Peak in section 32, T8N, R29W
to 300 feet upstream of its confluence with Munch
Canyon, as a wild river.
``(H) The 1.4-mile segment of Davy Brown Creek from
300 feet upstream of its confluence with Munch Canyon
to its confluence with Manzana Creek, as a recreational
river.
``(I) The 2-mile segment of Munch Canyon from its
source north of Ranger Peak in section 33, T8N, R29W to
300 feet upstream of its confluence with Sunset Valley
Creek, as a wild river.
``(J) The 0.5-mile segment of Munch Canyon from 300
feet upstream of its confluence with Sunset Valley
Creek to its confluence with Davy Brown Creek, as a
recreational river.
``(K) The 2.6-mile segment of Fish Creek from 500
feet downstream of Sunset Valley Road to its confluence
with Manzana Creek, as a wild river.
``(L) The 1.5-mile segment of East Fork Fish Creek
from its source in section 26, T8N, R29W to its
confluence with Fish Creek, as a wild river.''.
(d) Piru Creek, California.--Section 3(a)(199) of the Wild and
Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)(199)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(199) Piru creek, california.--The following segments of
Piru Creek in the State of California, to be administered by
the Secretary of Agriculture:
``(A) The 9.1-mile segment of Piru Creek from its
source in section 3, T6N, R22W, to the private property
boundary in section 4, T6N, R21W, as a wild river.
``(B) The 17.2-mile segment of Piru Creek from the
private property boundary in section 4, T6N, R21W, to
0.25 miles downstream of the Gold Hill Road, as a
scenic river.
``(C) The 4.1-mile segment of Piru Creek from 0.25
miles downstream of Gold Hill Road to the confluence
with Trail Canyon, as a wild river.
``(D) The 7.25-mile segment of Piru Creek from the
confluence with Trail Canyon to the confluence with
Buck Creek, as a scenic river.
``(E) The 3-mile segment of Piru Creek from 0.5
miles downstream of Pyramid Dam at the first bridge
crossing to the boundary of the Sespe Wilderness, as a
recreational river.
``(F) The 13-mile segment of Piru Creek from the
boundary of the Sespe Wilderness to the boundary of the
Sespe Wilderness, as a wild river.
``(G) The 2.2-mile segment of Piru Creek from the
boundary of the Sespe Wilderness to the upper limit of
Piru Reservoir, as a recreational river.''.
(e) Effect.--The designation of Piru Creek under subsection (a)
shall not affect valid rights in existence on the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(f) Motorized Use of Trails.--Nothing in this section shall affect
the motorized use of trails designated by the Forest Service for
motorized use that are located adjacent to and crossing upper Piru
Creek.
SEC. 7. DESIGNATION OF THE FOX MOUNTAIN POTENTIAL WILDERNESS.
(a) Designation.--In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness
Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), certain land in the Los Padres National
Forest comprising approximately 41,617 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``Fox Mountain Potential Wilderness Area'' and dated
__, is designated as the Fox Mountain Potential Wilderness Area.
(b) Map and Legal Description.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall
file a map and a legal description of the Fox Mountain
Potential Wilderness Area (referred to in this section as the
``potential wilderness area'') 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.--The 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 of Agriculture
may correct any clerical and typographical errors in the map
and legal description.
(3) Public availability.--The map and legal description
filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for
public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest
Service.
(c) Management.--Except as provided in subsection (d) and subject
to valid existing rights, the Secretary shall manage the potential
wilderness area in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131
et seq.).
(d) Trail Use Construction, Reconstruction, and Realignment.--
(1) In general.--In accordance with paragraph (2), the
Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to--
(A) construct a new trail for use by hikers,
equestrians, and mechanized vehicles that connects the
Aliso Park Campground to the Bull Ridge Trail; and
(B) reconstruct or realign the--
(i) Bull Ridge Trail; and
(ii) Rocky Ridge Trail.
(2) Requirement.--In carrying out the construction,
reconstruction, or alignment under paragraph (1), the Secretary
shall--
(A) comply with all existing laws (including
regulations); and
(B) to the maximum extent practicable, use the
minimum tool or administrative practice necessary to
accomplish the construction, reconstruction, or
alignment with the least amount of adverse impact on
wilderness character and resources.
(3) Motorized vehicles and machinery.--In accordance with
paragraph (2), the Secretary may use motorized vehicles and
machinery to carry out the trail construction, reconstruction,
or realignment authorized by this section.
(4) Mechanized vehicles.--The Secretary may permit the use
of mechanized vehicles on the existing Bull Ridge Trail and
Rocky Ridge Trail in accordance with existing law (including
regulations) and this section until such date as the potential
wilderness area is designated wilderness in accordance with
subsection (h).
(e) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land
in the potential wilderness area is withdrawn from all forms of--
(1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land
laws;
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and
geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
(f) Cooperative Agreements.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with State, tribal, and
local governmental entities and private entities to complete the trail
construction, reconstruction, and realignment authorized by subsection
(d).
(g) Boundaries.--The Secretary shall modify the boundary of the
potential wilderness area to exclude any area within 50 feet of the
centerline of the new location of any trail that has been constructed,
reconstructed, or realigned under subsection (d).
(h) Wilderness Designation.--
(1) In general.--The potential wilderness area, as modified
under subsection (g), shall be designated as wilderness and as
a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System on
the date on which the Secretary publishes in the Federal
Register notice that the trail construction, reconstruction, or
alignment authorized by subsection (d) has been completed or 20
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, whichever
comes sooner.
(2) Administration of wilderness.--Upon designation as
wilderness under this section, the potential wilderness area
shall be--
(A) incorporated into the San Rafael Wilderness, as
designated by Public Law 90-271 (82 Stat. 51), the
California Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-425;
16 U.S.C. 1132 note), and the Los Padres Condor Range
and River Protection Act (Public Law 102-301; 106 Stat.
242), and section 3; and
(B) administered in accordance with section 5 and
the Wilderness Act.
SEC. 8. DESIGNATION OF SCENIC AREAS.
(a) In General.--Subject to valid existing rights, there are
established the following scenic areas:
(1) Condor ridge scenic area.--Certain land in the Los
Padres National Forest comprising approximately 18,666 acres,
as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Condor Ridge Scenic
Area--Proposed'' and dated ___, which shall be managed as the
Condor Ridge Scenic Area.
(2) Black mountain scenic area.--Certain land in the Los
Padres National Forest and the Bakersfield Field Office of the
Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 15,846
acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Black
Mountain Scenic Area--Proposed'' and dated ___, which shall be
managed as the Black Mountain Scenic Area.
(b) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall
file a map and a legal description of the Condor Ridge Scenic
Area and Black Mountain Scenic Area 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.--The maps and legal descriptions filed
under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if
included in this Act, except that the Secretary of Agriculture
may correct any clerical and typographical errors in the map
and legal description.
(3) Public availability.--The maps and legal descriptions
filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for
public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest
Service and Bureau of Land Management.
(c) Purpose.--The purpose of the scenic areas is to conserve,
protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and
future generations the ecological, scenic, wildlife, recreational,
cultural, historical, natural, educational, and scientific resources of
the scenic areas.
(d) Management.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall administer the scenic
areas--
(A) in a manner that conserves, protects, and
enhances the resources of the scenic areas; and
(B) in accordance with--
(i) this section;
(ii) the Federal Land Policy and Management
Act (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) for lands under
the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the
Interior;
(iii) any laws (including regulations)
relating to the National Forest System, for
lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary
of Agriculture; and
(iv) any other applicable law (including
regulations).
(2) Uses.--The Secretary shall only allow such uses of the
scenic areas that the Secretary determines would further the
purposes described in subsection (c).
(e) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land
in the scenic areas is withdrawn from all forms of--
(1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land
laws;
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and
geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
(f) Prohibited Uses.--The following shall be prohibited on the
Federal land within the scenic areas:
(1) Permanent roads.
(2) Permanent structures.
(3) Timber harvesting.
(4) Transmission lines.
(5) Except as necessary to meet the minimum requirements
for the administration of the scenic areas and to protect
public health and safety--
(A) the use of motorized vehicles; or
(B) the establishment of temporary roads.
(6) Commercial enterprises, except as necessary for
realizing the purposes of the scenic areas.
(g) Wildfire, Insect, and Disease Management.--Consistent with this
section, the Secretary may take any measures in the scenic areas that
the Secretary determines to be necessary to control fire, insects, and
diseases, including, as the Secretary determines appropriate, the
coordination of those activities with the State or a local agency.
SEC. 9. CONDOR NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of the Condor National Recreation Trail
is to provide a continual hiking trail corridor spanning the entire
length of the Los Padres National Forest along the coastal mountains of
Central California. The trail is named after the California Condor, a
critically endangered bird species which lives along the extent of the
Condor Trail within the National Forest. The trail will traverse a
diversity of geography and communities through the southern and
northern sections of the Los Padres National Forest.
(b) Amendment.--Section 5(a) the National Trails System Act (16
U.S.C. 1244(a)) is amended by adding the following:
``(31) Condor national recreation trail.--
``(A) In general.--The Condor National Recreation
Trail, extending approximately ___ miles from Lake Piru
to the Botchers Gap Campground in Monterey County
corridor, as generally depicted on the map entitled
`Condor National Recreation Trail--Proposed' and dated
____.
``(B) Administration.--The Condor National
Recreation Trail (referred to in this section as the
`trail') shall be administered by the Secretary of
Agriculture, in consultation with--
``(i) other Federal, State, tribal,
regional, and local agencies;
``(ii) private landowners; and
``(iii) other interested organizations.
``(C) Continual route.--In building new connectors,
and realigning the existing trail, the Secretary shall
provide for a continual route through the southern and
northern Los Padres National Forest, promote
recreational, wilderness and cultural values, enhance
connectivity with the overall National Forest trail
system, emphasize safe and continuous public access,
dispersal from high-use areas, and suitable water
sources, and, to the extent practicable, provide all-
year use.
``(D) Private property rights.--
``(i) In general.--No portions of the trail
may be located on non-Federal land without the
written consent of the landowner.
``(ii) Prohibition.--The Secretary shall
not acquire for the trail any land or interest
in land outside the exterior boundary of any
federally managed area without the consent of
the owner of land or interest in land.
``(iii) Effect.--Nothing in this section--
``(I) requires any private property
owner to allow public access (including
Federal, State, or local government
access) to private property; or
``(II) modifies any provision of
Federal, State, or local law with
respect to public access to or use of
private land.
``(E) Map.--The map referred to in subparagraph (A)
shall be on file and available for public inspection in
the appropriate offices of the Forest Service.
``(F) Study.--
``(i) Study required.--Not later than 3
years after the date of the enactment of this
paragraph, the Secretary of Agriculture shall
submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of
the House of Representatives and Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a
study that describes the feasibility of, and
alternatives for, connecting the northern and
southern portions of the Los Padres National
Forest using a trail corridor across the
applicable portions of the Northern and
Southern Santa Lucia Mountains of the Southern
California Coastal Range.
``(ii) Additional requirement.--In
completing the study required by clause (i),
the Secretary of Agriculture shall consult
with--
``(I) appropriate Federal, State,
tribal, regional, and local agencies;
``(II) private landowners;
``(III) nongovernmental
organizations; and
``(IV) members of the public.''.
(c) Cooperative Agreements.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with State, tribal, and
local government entitles and private entities to complete needed trail
construction, reconstruction, and realignment projects authorized by
this section.
SEC. 10. FOREST SERVICE STUDY.
Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Forest Service shall study the feasibility of opening a new trail,
for vehicles measuring 50 inches or less, connecting Forest Service
Highway 95 to the existing off-highway vehicle trail system in the
Ballinger Canyon off-highway vehicle area.
SEC. 11. NONMOTORIZED RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES.
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with interested parties,
shall conduct a study to improve nonmotorized recreation trail
opportunities (including mountain bicycling) on land not designated as
wilderness within the Santa Barbara, Ojai, and Mt. Pinos ranger
districts.
SEC. 12. USE BY MEMBERS OF NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES.
(a) Access.--The Secretary shall ensure that Indian tribes have
access, in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.),
to the wilderness areas, scenic areas, and potential wilderness areas
designated by this Act for traditional cultural and religious
purposes.''.
(b) Temporary Closures.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out this subsection, the
Secretary, on request of an Indian tribe, may temporarily close
to the general public 1 or more specific portions of a
wilderness area, scenic area, and potential wilderness area
designated by this Act to protect the privacy of the members of
the Indian tribe in the conduct of traditional cultural and
religious activities.
(2) Requirement.--Any closure under paragraph (1) shall
be--
(A) made in such a manner as to affect the smallest
practicable area for the minimum period of time
necessary for the activity to be carried out; and
(B) be consistent with the purpose and intent of
Public Law 95-341 (42 U.S.C. 1996), commonly referred
to as the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, and
the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation.
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