Wilderness Bills in the 113th Congress
The Pew Campaign for America's Wilderness is working on the following bills pending in the 113th Congress.
Jump to a state:
Arizona | California | Colorado | Idaho | Maine | Michigan | Montana | Nevada | New Mexico
Oregon | Tennessee | Utah | Washington
Arizona
Arizona Sonoran Desert Heritage Act of 2013 (H.R. 1799) |
The bill will establish the 276,000-acre Belmont-Harquahala National Conservation Area (NCA) and the 406,000 acre Gila Bend NCA. It will also designate 291,000 acres of wilderness, including additions to two existing areas and the designation of four new ones. In addition, the bill will designate two special management areas. The area is critical habitat for bighorn sheep, bobcat, mountain lions, desert tortoise, and more than 300 species of native birds. Rep. Ed Pastor (D, AZ) is a co-sponsor. |
California
Central Coast Heritage Protection Act (H.R. 4685) |
The proposed areas provide habitat for more than 450 species of wildlife and 1,200 plant species. More than 90 of these species are at risk of extinction, including the San Joaquin kit fox, steelhead trout, arroyo toad, and the California jewelflower. The region is also home to the endangered California condor, the largest and most endangered North American bird species. Visitors from around the world come to these coastal mountains and grasslands to hike, backpack, camp, bird-watch, ride horses, hunt, fish, kayak, and mountain bike. Reps. Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Sam Farr (D-CA) are co-sponsors.
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Colorado
Browns Canyon National Monument and Wilderness Act of 2013 (S. 1794) |
The legislation will protect land along the iconic Arkansas River as a national monument, including 10,500 acres of wilderness. Browns Canyon is a mid-elevation range of public land with pinon juniper, Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine and aspen trees. It provides wildlife habitat for black bear, bighorn sheep, elk, mountain lions, mule deer, eagles, falcons, and more. The area is a recreation haven known for its whitewater rafting, kayaking, fishing, hunting, and mountain biking.
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Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act (H.R. 1839/S. 841) |
The bill will designate nearly 38,000 acres of wilderness within the watershed. The area is prized for its stunning vistas, pristine water quality, and diverse plant and animal species. Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) is a co-sponsor. On March 6, 2014, the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held a hearing.
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San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act of 2013 (S. 341) |
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 cutthroat trout, whose status is under review. The wilderness legislation is supported by local communities, elected officials, ranchers and recreation groups. |
Idaho
Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (H.R. 145) |
The bill will create three wilderness areas in the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests and the Challis District of the Bureau of Land Management within the Boulder-White Clouds Mountain range. 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. |
Maine
Maine Coastal Islands Wilderness Act (H.R. 1808) |
The bill will designate 3, 125 acres of wilderness, protecting pristine habitat for mi- gratory seabirds and waterfowl and elevating the profile of the area to boost tour- ism for the area's economy. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) is a co-sponsor. On July 23, 2013, the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held a hearing.
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Michigan
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Conservation and Recreation Act (H.R. 163/ S. 23) |
Reps. Kerry Bentivolio (R-MI), Dave Camp (R-MI), John Dingell (D-MI), Bill Huizenga (RMI), Dan Kildee (D-MI), Sander Levin (D-MI), Candice Miller (R-MI), Gary Peters (D-MI), Mike Rogers (R-MI), Fred Upton (R-MI) and Tim Walberg (R-MI) are co-sponsors. On March 14, 2013, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved this legislation. The Senate passed S. 23 by unanimous consent on June 19, 2013. On July 23, 2013, the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held a hearing. On January 28, 2014, the House Natural Resources Committee approved the legislation. On March 4, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the legislation. On March 13, 2014, the president signed the legislation into law. |
Montana
Forest Jobs and Recreation Act of 2013 (S. 37) |
Sen. Max Baucus (D, MT) is a co-sponsor. On July 30, 2013, the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining held a hearing. On December 19, 2013, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved this legislation.
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Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act (S. 364) |
The legislation will also designate 208,000 acres as conservation management areas and prioritizes noxious- weed eradication and prevention on the protected lands. Sen. John Walsh (D-MT) is a co-sponsor. On July 30, 2013, the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining held a hearing. |
Nevada
Douglas County Conservation Act of 2013 (S. 1263) |
The legislation will designate the Burbank Canyons Wilderness, currently managed as a wilderness study area by the Bureau of Land
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Lyon County Economic Development and Conservation Act of 2013 (H.R. 696/S. 159) |
On January 28, 2013, Sens. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced legislation to designate 48,000 acres of wilderness in Lyon County, protecting historic, cultural, and natural resources. It will also convey 12,500 acres of land to the city of Yerington for economic development surrounding the Nevada Copper mine. The Wovoka Wilderness will be named in honor of the Native American spiritual leader and father of the Ghostdance, who lived near the area. Reps. Steven Horsford (D-NV), Mark Amodei (R-NV) and Joseph Heck (R-NV) introduced companion legislation on February 14, 2013. Rep. Dina Titus (D, NV) is a co-sponsor. |
Pine Forest Range Recreation Enhancement Act of 2013 (H.R. 433/S. 342) |
The Pine Forest Range is a popular destination for sportsmen and recreationists and is prime habitat for mule deer, sage grouse, and mountain lion. Sens. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Dean Heller (R-NV) introduced companion legislation on February 14, 2013. Reps. Joseph Heck (R, NV), Dina Titus (D, NV), and Steven Horsford (D, NV) are co-sponsors. The House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held a hearing on July 23, 2013. On January 28, 2014, the House Natural Resources Committee approved this legislation. However, the bill contains language affecting wilderness areas that conservationists oppose. Additionally, it was combined with the text of H.R. |
Virgin Valley Tourism and Lake Mead Preservation Act (H.R. 2276) / Gold Butte National Conservation Area Act (S. 1054) |
The bill will designate a nearly 350,000-acre national conservation area (NCA), containing 129,500 acres of wilderness. An additional 92,000 acres of wilderness will also be designated within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. These protections will preserve ancient petroglyphs, cultural resources and wildlife habitat, while also keeping over 500 miles of roads open for ORV use. They will also raise the profile of the area, driving tourism and helping to support the local economy. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) is a co-sponsor. |
New Mexico
Cerros del Norte Conservation Act (H.R. 560/S. 241) |
The original bill was amended after President Barack Obama protected the land that had been the basis for the legislation as a national monument. The two proposed wilderness areas will comprise 21,420 acres of the 242,500-acre national monument northwest of Taos, New Mexico. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) sponsored the original Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act (H.R. 560) in the House, which he introduced February 6. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D, NM) is a co-sponsor. On April 25, the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining held a hearing. On May 16, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved this legislation. |
Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Act (H.R. 1683/S. 776) |
The area encompasses the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, including Gold Hill, its highest peak and is home to elk, mountain lion, black bear, pine marten, and Rio Grande cutthroat trout. It also contains the headwaters for two rivers that supply water to the Acequias used by the local community. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D, NM) is a co-sponsor. |
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act (S. 1805) The bill would protect the Organ and Sierra de Las Uvas Mountains, the Potrillo volcanic field, and Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands. It would also preserve key American, Native American and Hispanic heritage sites, such as landmarks along the Camino Real, 22 miles of the Butterfield Stagecoach Trail, Billy the Kid's Outlaw Rock, and thousands of Native American archeological sites.
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Oregon
Devil's Staircase Wilderness Act (S. 352 / H.R. 2491) |
Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Devil's Staircase Wilderness Act on February 14, 2013, a measure that will 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 will also designate more than 14 miles of Wassen and Franklin Creeks as wild and scenic. On March 14, 2013, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved this legislation. The Senate passed S. 352 by unanimous consent on June 19, 2013.
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Oregon and California Land Grant Act of 2013 (S. 1784) |
Oregon and California Land Grant Act of 2013 (S. 1784) On December 9, 2013, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced legislation to deal with the decades- On February 6, 2014, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing. |
The Oregon Treasures Act (S. 353) |
The Oregon Treasures Act will designate 60,000 acres of wilderness on the Rogue River in southwest Oregon and over 17,000 acres of wilderness in the Cathedral Rock and Horse |
Rogue Wilderness Expansion Act (H.R. 2488) |
The bill will also designate 93 miles of the Rogue River and its tributaries as wild and scenic.
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Tennessee
The Tennessee Wilderness Act of 2013 (S. 1294) |
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.
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Utah
Wasatch Wilderness and Watershed Protection Act (H.R. 2808) |
The bill will protect the watershed that provides water for over 500,000 residents in the Salt Lake City region, designating 13,406 acres of wilderness and 11,013 acres of special management areas.
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Washington
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Pratt and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Rivers Protection Act (H.R. 361/S. 112) |
This area is the closest and most accessible to residents of the greater Seattle metropolitan area. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Adam Smith (D, WA,) and Jim McDermott (D, WA) are co-sponsors. On March 14, 2013, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved this legislation. The Senate passed S. 112 by unanimous consent on June 19, 2013. The House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held a hearing on July 23, 2013. |
The Wild Olympics Wilderness & Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 2014 (S. 1949/H.R. 3917) |
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