[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1348 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 422
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 1348
[Report No. 118-185]
To redesignate land within certain wilderness study areas in the State
of Wyoming, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 27, 2023
Mr. Barrasso (for himself and Ms. Lummis) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
June 18, 2024
Reported by Mr. Manchin, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To redesignate land within certain wilderness study areas in the State
of Wyoming, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Wyoming Public Lands
Initiative Act of 2023''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Bureau.--The term ``Bureau'' means the Bureau
of Land Management.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of the Interior.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the
Director of the Bureau of Land Management.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Emergency.--The term ``emergency'' means a
situation that requires immediate action because of an imminent
danger--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) to the health or safety of people;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) of harm to property.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Range improvement.--The term ``range
improvement'' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of
the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 (43 U.S.C.
1902).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of
Wyoming.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF LAND IN CARBON COUNTY,
WYOMING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Designation of Wilderness Areas.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Encampment river canyon wilderness.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Designation.--In accordance with the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except as
provided in subparagraph (B), the land within the
boundaries of the Encampment River Canyon Wilderness
Study Area is designated as wilderness and as a
component of the National Wilderness Preservation
System, to be known as the ``Encampment River Canyon
Wilderness'' (referred to in this paragraph as the
``Wilderness'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Excluded land.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Definition of water valley
road.--In this subparagraph, the term ``Water
Valley Road'' means the road in Carbon County,
Wyoming, that is 50 feet wide and 17,340 feet
long, consisting of approximately 19.904 acres
of land in T. 14 N., R. 84 W., including--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) in sec. 22, land in--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (aa) the NE\1/
4\SW\1/4\; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (bb) the S\1/
2\SW\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) in sec. 27, land in
lots 4, 6, and 7 of the NW\1/4\SW\1/
4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) in sec. 28, land in
lot 1 of the NE\1/4\SE\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) in sec. 34, land in--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (aa) the S\1/
2\NE\1/4\; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (bb) the E\1/
2\NW\1/4\; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (V) in sec. 35, land in--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (aa) the N\1/
2\SW\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (bb) the NW\1/
4\SE\1/4\; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (cc) the S\1/
2\SE\1/4\.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Land excluded from the
wilderness.--The following land is not included
in the Wilderness:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) Any land in the NW\1/
4\NW\1/4\NW\1/4\ sec. 24, T. 14 N., R.
84 W.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) Any land within 50
feet of the centerline of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (aa) County Road
353; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (bb) Water Valley
Road.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Maintenance of roads.--Necessary
maintenance or repairs to County Road 353 or Water
Valley Road (as defined in subparagraph (B)) shall be
permitted after the date of enactment of this Act,
consistent with the requirements of this
subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Wildfire suppression.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--Not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Director shall establish a fire
suppression plan for the protection of--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) any individual or
structure adjacent to the Wilderness;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the population
centers of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (aa) Encampment,
Wyoming; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (bb) Riverside,
Wyoming.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Coordination.--In carrying
out clause (i), the Director shall coordinate
with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the Wyoming State
Forestry Division; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) Carbon County,
Wyoming.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Prospect mountain wilderness.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Designation.--In accordance with the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except as
provided in subparagraph (B), the land within the
boundaries of the Prospect Mountain Wilderness Study
Area is designated as wilderness and as a component of
the National Wilderness Preservation System, to be
known as the ``Prospect Mountain Wilderness'' (referred
to in this paragraph as the ``Wilderness'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Excluded land.--Any land within 100
feet of the centerline of Prospect Road is not included
in the Wilderness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Maintenance of prospect road.--
Necessary maintenance or repairs to Prospect Road shall
be permitted after the date of enactment of this Act,
consistent with the requirements of this
subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Management of wilderness areas.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Administration.--Subject to valid
existing rights, the wilderness areas designated in
paragraphs (1) and (2) (referred to in this paragraph
as the ``Wilderness Areas'') shall be administered by
the Director in accordance with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) this paragraph; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.), except that any reference in
that Act to the effective date of that Act
shall be considered to be a reference to the
date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the
Wilderness Areas, where established before the date of
enactment of this Act, shall be allowed to continue in
accordance with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) section 4(d)(4) of the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1133(d)(4));</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the guidelines set forth in
the report of the Committee on Interior and
Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives
accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress (H.
Rept. 96-617); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) the guidelines set forth in
appendix A of the Report of the Committee on
Interior and Insular Affairs to accompany H.R.
2570 of the 101st Congress (H. Rept. 101-
405).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Review of policies, practices, and
regulations.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--To ensure that
the policies, practices, and regulations of the
Department conform to and implement the intent
of Congress regarding forest fires and the
outbreak of disease or insects, not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall review
all policies, practices, and regulations of the
Department applicable to the Wilderness Areas
that pertain to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) wildland fires,
including the use of modern methods of
fire suppression (including mechanical
activity, as necessary); or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the outbreak of
disease or insect
populations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Revisions.--On completion of
the review under clause (i), the Secretary of
the Interior shall revise or develop policies,
practices, and regulations for the Wilderness
Areas--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) to ensure the timely
and efficient control of fires,
diseases, and insects in the Wilderness
Areas, in accordance with section
4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16
U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) to provide, to the
maximum extent practicable, adequate
protection from forest fires, disease
outbreaks, and insect infestations to
any Federal, State, or private land
adjacent to the Wilderness
Areas.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Designation of Bennett Mountains Special Management
Area.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Designation.--The land within the Bennett
Mountains Wilderness Study Area is designated as the ``Bennett
Mountains Special Management Area'' (referred to in this
subsection as the ``Special Management Area'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Administration.--The Special Management Area
shall be administered by the Director.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Roads; motorized vehicles.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Roads.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Prohibition on new permanent
roads.--The construction of new permanent roads
in the Special Management Area shall not be
allowed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Temporary roads.--The
Director may authorize the construction of new
temporary roads to respond to an
emergency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Motorized vehicles.--Except as needed
for administrative purposes, to respond to an
emergency, or to develop range improvements, the use of
motorized and mechanized vehicles in the Special
Management Area shall be allowed only on existing roads
and trails designated for the use of motorized or
mechanized vehicles by the travel management plan
established under subparagraph (C).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Travel management plan.--Not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Director shall establish a travel management plan
for the Special Management Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the Special
Management Area shall be administered--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) as a nondiscretionary use;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in accordance with the laws generally
applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the
Bureau, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the Act of June 28, 1934
(commonly known as the ``Taylor Grazing Act'')
(48 Stat. 1269, chapter 865; 43 U.S.C. 315 et
seq.);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et
seq.); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) the Public Rangelands
Improvement Act of 1978 (43 U.S.C. 1901 et
seq.).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Fire management and suppression.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Director shall carry
out fire management and suppression activities in the
Special Management Area in accordance with the laws
generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of
the Bureau.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Review of policies, practices, and
regulations.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--To ensure that
the policies, practices, and regulations of the
Bureau conform to and implement the intent of
Congress regarding forest fires, not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Director shall review all policies,
practices, and regulations of the Bureau
applicable to the Special Management Area that
pertain to wildland fires, including the use of
modern methods of fire suppression.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Revision.--On completion of
the review under clause (i), the Director shall
revise or develop policies, practices, and
regulations for the Special Management Area--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) to ensure the timely
and efficient control of fires in the
Special Management Area; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) to provide, to the
maximum extent practicable, adequate
protection from forest fires to any
Federal, State, or private land
adjacent to the Special Management
Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Timber harvesting.--Commercial timber
harvesting shall not be allowed in the Special Management
Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Withdrawal.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), subject to valid rights in existence
on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within
the boundaries of the Special Management Area is
withdrawn from--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) location, entry, and patent
under the mining laws; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) disposition under all laws
relating to mineral and geothermal
leasing.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Exception.--The Secretary of the
Interior may lease oil and gas resources within the
boundaries of the Special Management Area if--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the lease may only be accessed
by directional drilling from a lease that is
outside of the Special Management Area;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the lease prohibits, without
exception or waiver, surface occupancy and
surface disturbance within the Special
Management Area for any activities, including
activities related to exploration, development,
or production.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Designation of Black Cat Special Management Area.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Designation.--The land described in paragraph
(2) is designated as the ``Black Cat Special Management Area''
(referred to in this subsection as the ``Special Management
Area'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Included land.--The Special Management Area
shall consist of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the Federal land in T. 14 N., R. 81
W., sec. 35, that is managed by the Forest Service;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the portions of T. 14 N., R. 81 W.,
secs. 26, 35, and 36, that are south and west of the
North Platte River.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Administration.--The Special Management Area
shall be administered by the Secretary of
Agriculture.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Roads; motorized vehicles.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Roads.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Prohibition on new permanent
roads.--The construction of new permanent roads
in the Special Management Area shall not be
allowed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Temporary roads.--The
Secretary of Agriculture may authorize the
construction of new temporary roads to respond
to an emergency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Motorized vehicles.--Except as needed
for administrative purposes, to respond to an
emergency, or to develop or maintain range
improvements, the Secretary of Agriculture shall
prohibit the use of motorized and mechanized vehicles
in the Special Management Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the Special
Management Areas shall be administered--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) as a nondiscretionary use;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in accordance with the laws generally
applicable to the National Forest System, including--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the Multiple-Use Sustained-
Yield Act of 1960 (16 U.S.C. 528 et
seq.);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the Act of June 28, 1934
(commonly known as the ``Taylor Grazing Act'')
(48 Stat. 1269, chapter 865; 43 U.S.C. 315 et
seq.); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) the Public Rangelands
Improvement Act of 1978 (43 U.S.C. 1901 et
seq.).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Fire management and suppression.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Secretary of
Agriculture shall carry out fire management and
suppression activities in the Special Management Area--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in accordance with the laws
generally applicable to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the National Forest
System; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the land within the
boundaries of the Special Management
Area; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii)(I) if a land management plan
has been established for the Special Management
Area, in accordance with that land management
plan; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) if a land management plan has
not been established for the Special Management
Area, in a manner consistent with land that is
similarly situated to the land within the
boundaries of the Special Management Area, as
determined by the Secretary of
Agriculture.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Review of policies, practices, and
regulations.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--To ensure that
the policies, practices, and regulations of the
Department of Agriculture conform to and
implement the intent of Congress regarding
forest fires, not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Agriculture shall review all policies,
practices, and regulations of the Department of
Agriculture applicable to the Special
Management Area that pertain to forest fires,
including the use of modern methods of fire
suppression.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Revision.--On completion of
the review under clause (i), the Secretary of
Agriculture shall revise or develop policies,
practices, and regulations for the Special
Management Area--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) to ensure the timely
and efficient control of fires in the
Special Management Area; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) to provide, to the
maximum extent practicable, adequate
protection from forest fires to any
Federal, State, or private land
adjacent to the Special Management
Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Timber harvesting.--Commercial timber
harvesting shall not be allowed in the Special Management
Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Withdrawal.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), subject to valid rights in existence
on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within
the boundaries of the Special Management Area is
withdrawn from--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) location, entry, and patent
under the mining laws; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) disposition under all laws
relating to mineral and geothermal
leasing.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Exception.--The Secretary of the
Interior may, with the approval of the Secretary of
Agriculture, lease oil and gas resources within the
boundaries of the Special Management Area if--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the lease may only be accessed
by directional drilling from a lease that is
outside of the Special Management Area;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the lease prohibits, without
exception or waiver, surface occupancy and
surface disturbance within the Special
Management Area for any activities, including
activities related to exploration, development,
or production.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Release of Wilderness Study Areas.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Finding.--Congress finds that, for the
purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), any portion of a
wilderness study area described in paragraph (2) that is not
designated as wilderness by this section has been adequately
studied for wilderness designation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Description of land.--The wilderness study
areas referred to in paragraphs (1) and (3) are--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the Encampment River Canyon Wilderness
Study Area;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the Prospect Mountain Wilderness Study
Area; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) the Bennett Mountains Wilderness Study
Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Release.--Any portion of a wilderness study
area described in paragraph (2) that is not designated as
wilderness by this section is no longer subject to section
603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
(43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Management of released land.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Encampment river canyon wilderness
study area.--The Director shall manage the portion of
the Encampment River Canyon Wilderness Study Area
released under paragraph (3) in a manner consistent
with a resource management plan that is applicable to
any land that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) is adjacent to that released
portion; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) is not included in the
Encampment River Canyon Wilderness designated
under subsection (a)(1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Prospect mountain wilderness study
area.--The portion of the Prospect Mountain Wilderness
Study Area released under paragraph (3) shall be
managed in accordance with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et
seq.); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) any other applicable
law.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Bennett mountains wilderness study
area.--The Director shall manage the portion of the
Bennett Mountains Wilderness Study Area released under
paragraph (3) in accordance with subsection
(b).</DELETED>
SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF LAND IN FREMONT AND NATRONA COUNTIES, WYOMING.
<DELETED> (a) Designation of Upper Sweetwater Canyon and Lower
Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Areas.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Designation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--In accordance with the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the land
within the boundaries of the Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness Study Area is designated as wilderness and,
as described in subparagraphs (B) and (C), as 2
components of the National Wilderness Preservation
System, to be known as the ``Upper Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness'' (referred to in this subsection as the
``Upper Wilderness'') and the ``Lower Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness'' (referred to in this subsection as the
``Lower Wilderness'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Upper sweetwater canyon wilderness.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Boundary.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) In general.--Except as
provided in subclause (II), the
boundary of the Upper Wilderness shall
conform to the boundary of the
Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study
Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) Eastern boundary.--
The eastern boundary of the Upper
Wilderness shall be 100 feet from the
western edge of the north-south road
bisecting the Upper Wilderness and the
Lower Wilderness, known as ``Strawberry
Creek Road''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Exclusion of existing
roads.--Any established legal route with
authorized motorized use in existence on the
date of enactment of this Act that enters the
Upper Wilderness in T. 28 N., R. 98 W., sec. 4,
or the Lower Wilderness in T. 29 N., R. 97 W.,
sec. 33, is not included in the Upper
Wilderness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Lower sweetwater canyon wilderness.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Boundary.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) In general.--Except as
provided in subclauses (II) and (III),
the boundary of the Lower Wilderness
shall conform to the boundary of the
Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study
Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) Western boundary.--
The western boundary of the Lower
Wilderness shall be 100 feet from the
eastern edge of the north-south road
bisecting the Upper Wilderness and the
Lower Wilderness, known as ``Strawberry
Creek Road''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) Northern boundary.--
The northern boundary of the Lower
Wilderness shall begin where the
bisecting road referred to in subclause
(II) enters the Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness Study Area at the border of
T. 29 N., R. 98 W., sec. 36, and T. 28
N., R. 98 W., sec. 2, and shall run
east along the boundary of T. 29 N., R.
97 W., sec. 31, to the centerline of T.
29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 31, then north
along that centerline to the midpoint
of T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 31, then
east along that centerline to the
boundary of T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec.
32, then following the existing
boundary of the Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness Study Area to the midpoint
of T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 32, then
east along the centerline of T. 29 N.,
R. 97 W., secs. 32 and 33, to the
existing boundary of the Sweetwater
Canyon Wilderness Study Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Exclusion of existing
roads.--Any established legal route with
authorized motorized use in existence on the
date of enactment of this Act that enters the
Upper Wilderness in T. 29 N., R. 98 W., sec. 4,
or the Lower Wilderness in T. 29 N., R. 97 W.,
sec. 33, is not included in the Lower
Wilderness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Management.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Administration.--Subject to valid
existing rights, the Upper Wilderness and the Lower
Wilderness shall be administered by the Director in
accordance with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) this paragraph; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.), except that any reference in
that Act to the effective date of that Act
shall be considered to be a reference to the
date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the
Upper Wilderness and the Lower Wilderness, where
established before the date of enactment of this Act,
shall be allowed to continue in accordance with--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) section 4(d)(4) of the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1133(d)(4));</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the guidelines set forth in
the report of the Committee on Interior and
Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives
accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress (H.
Rept. 96-617); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) the guidelines set forth in
appendix A of the Report of the Committee on
Interior and Insular Affairs to accompany H.R.
2570 of the 101st Congress (H. Rept. 101-
405).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Maintenance of existing roads.--
Necessary maintenance or repairs to any road described
in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1) shall be
permitted after the date of enactment of this Act,
consistent with the requirements of this
subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Range improvements.--The construction,
reconstruction, and maintenance of range improvements
shall be allowed in the Upper Wilderness and the Lower
Wilderness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Buffer zones.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--Nothing in this
paragraph creates a protective perimeter or
buffer zone around the Upper Wilderness or the
Lower Wilderness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Activities outside wilderness
areas.--The fact that an activity or use on
land outside the Upper Wilderness or the Lower
Wilderness can be seen or heard within the
Upper Wilderness or the Lower Wilderness,
respectively, shall not preclude the activity
or use outside the boundary of the Upper
Wilderness or the Lower Wilderness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Release of wilderness study area.--Congress
finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the
land within the Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area not
designated as wilderness by this subsection has been adequately
studied for wilderness designation and is no longer subject to
section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Designation of Sweetwater Rocks Special Management
Area.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Designation.--The land within the Lankin Dome,
Split Rock, Savage Peak, and Miller Springs Wilderness Study
Areas is designated as the ``Sweetwater Rocks Special
Management Area'' (referred to in this subsection as the
``Special Management Area'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Administration.--The Special Management Area
shall be administered by the Director in a manner that
protects--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) valid existing rights;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) agricultural uses;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) primitive recreational opportunities;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) natural, historic, and scenic
resources.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Motorized vehicles.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), the use of motorized vehicles in the
Special Management Area shall be allowed only on
established legal routes with authorized motorized use
existing on the date of enactment of this
Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Exceptions.--Notwithstanding
subparagraph (A), the use of motorized vehicles may be
allowed in the Special Management Area for the
construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of
necessary infrastructure, as determined by the
Director.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the Special
Management Area shall be administered in accordance with the
laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the
Bureau.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Prohibition on certain overhead towers.--No
new overhead transmission or communications tower shall be
constructed in the Special Management Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Underground rights-of-way.--The Director may
expand any underground right-of-way in the Special Management
Area that exists as of the date of enactment of this
Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Buffer zones.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Nothing in this
subsection creates a protective perimeter or buffer
zone around the Special Management Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Activities outside special management
area.--The fact that an activity or use on land outside
the Special Management Area can be seen or heard within
the Special Management Area shall not preclude the
activity or use outside the boundary of the Special
Management Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Land exchanges and easements.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Land exchanges.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--The Director may
propose to, and carry out with, an individual
or entity owning land in the vicinity of the
Special Management Area any land exchange
that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) increases access to
the Special Management Area;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) does not result in a
net loss of Federal land.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Process.--The Director may
carry out clause (i)--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) through the use of
existing processes; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) by establishing a
process for proposing and carrying out
land exchanges under that
clause.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Easements.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the Director may acquire from an
individual or entity owning land in the vicinity of the
Special Management Area an easement for the purpose of
increasing access to the Special Management
Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) Withdrawals.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Mining, mineral, and geothermal
withdrawal.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--Except as
provided in clause (ii), subject to valid
rights in existence on the date of enactment of
this Act, the land within the boundaries of the
Special Management Area is withdrawn from--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) location, entry, and
patent under the mining laws;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) disposition under all
laws relating to mineral and geothermal
leasing.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Exception.--The Secretary of
the Interior may lease oil and gas resources
within the boundaries of the Special Management
Area if--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the lease may only be
accessed by directional drilling from a
lease that is outside of the Special
Management Area; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the lease prohibits,
without exception or waiver, surface
occupancy and surface disturbance
within the Special Management Area for
any activities, including activities
related to exploration, development, or
production.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Wind and solar energy withdrawal.--
Subject to valid rights in existence on the date of
enactment of this Act, the land within the boundaries
of the Special Management Area is withdrawn from right-
of-way leasing and disposition under all laws relating
to wind or solar energy.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) Release of wilderness study areas.--Congress
finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the
land within the Lankin Dome, Split Rock, Savage Peak, and
Miller Springs Wilderness Study Areas has been adequately
studied for wilderness designation and is no longer subject to
section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Release of the Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study
Area.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Division.--The Director shall divide the land
within the Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area by installing
a fence, or repairing or relocating an existing fence, in T. 41
N., R. 106 W., sec. 5, that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) follows existing infrastructure and
natural barriers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) begins at an intersection with North
Mountain View Road in the NE\1/4\NW\1/4\ sec. 5, T. 41
N., R. 106 W.;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) from the point described in
subparagraph (B), proceeds southeast to a point near
the midpoint of the NE\1/4\ sec. 5, T. 41 N., R. 106
W.; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) from the point described in
subparagraph (C), proceeds southwest to a point in the
SW\1/4\NE\1/4\ sec. 5, T. 41 N., R. 106 W., that
intersects with the boundary of the Dubois Badlands
Wilderness Study Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Dubois motorized recreation area.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Establishment.--There is established
the Dubois Motorized Recreation Area (referred to in
this paragraph as the ``Recreation Area'') in the
State, to be managed by the Director.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Area included.--The Recreation Area
shall consist of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) any land within the boundaries
of the Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area
that is west of the fence described in
paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) any Federal land in T. 41 N.,
R. 106 W., secs. 5 and 6 that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) is managed by the
Bureau; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) is west of North
Mountain View Road.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Management.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Boundary fence.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) In general.--The
Director shall construct a fence along
the western boundary of the Recreation
Area on any land that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (aa) is managed by
the Bureau; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (bb) is west of
North Mountain View
Road.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) Coordination.--In
designing, locating, and constructing
the fence described in subclause (I),
the Director shall coordinate with the
owners of any land adjacent to the land
described in that subclause.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Travel management plan.--As
soon as practicable after the date of
completion of the fence described in clause
(i), the Director shall establish a travel
management plan for the Recreation Area to
maximize the use of motorized off-road vehicles
in the Recreation Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Dubois badlands national conservation area.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Establishment.--There is established
the Dubois Badlands National Conservation Area
(referred to in this paragraph as the ``Conservation
Area'') in the State, to be managed by the
Director.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Area included.--The Conservation Area
shall consist of any land within the boundaries of the
Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area that is east of
the fence described in paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Management.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--The Director
shall manage the Conservation Area in a manner
that protects--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) valid existing
rights;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) agricultural
uses;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) primitive
recreational opportunities;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) natural, historic,
and scenic resources.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Motorized vehicles.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--Except as
provided in clause (ii), the use of motorized
vehicles in the Conservation Area shall not be
allowed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Exceptions.--The Director may
allow the use of motorized vehicles in the
Conservation Area for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) habitat
improvement;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the construction,
reconstruction, or maintenance of range
improvements; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) to respond to an
emergency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the
Conservation Area shall be administered in accordance
with the laws generally applicable to land under the
jurisdiction of the Bureau.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) Rights-of-way.--No major right-of-way
shall be allowed within the boundaries of the
Conservation Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) Withdrawal.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--Subject to valid
rights in existence on the date of enactment of
this Act, the land within the boundaries of the
Conservation Area is withdrawn from--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) location, entry, and
patent under the mining laws;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) disposition under all
laws relating to mineral and geothermal
leasing.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Release.--Congress finds that, for the
purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the land within the
Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area has been adequately
studied for wilderness designation and is no longer subject to
section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Release of Certain Wilderness Study Areas.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Copper mountain wilderness study area.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Release.--Congress finds that, for the
purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the
land within the Copper Mountain Wilderness Study Area--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) has been adequately studied
for wilderness designation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) is no longer subject to
section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c));
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) shall be managed in
accordance with this paragraph.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Management of released land.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--The land
described in subparagraph (A) shall be
administered by the Director in accordance with
the laws generally applicable to land under the
jurisdiction of the Bureau.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Mineral leasing.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) In general.--Subject
to surface occupancy requirements and
any other provision of law, the
Director may enter mineral leases for
any land described in subparagraph (A)
that has a slope of less than 25
percent.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) Underground rights-
of-way.--The Director may grant
underground rights-of-way for any
mineral lease entered into under
subclause (I).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) Prohibition of certain
leases.--Subject to valid rights in existence
on the date of enactment of this Act, the
Director shall not issue a new lease for a wind
or solar project, an overhead transmission
line, or a communication tower on the land
described in subparagraph (A).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Authority to exchange land.--In
carrying out any land exchange involving any of the
land described in subparagraph (A), the Director shall
ensure that the exchange does not result in a net loss
of Federal land.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Whiskey mountain wilderness study area.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Release.--Congress finds that, for the
purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the
land within the Whiskey Mountain Wilderness Study
Area--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) has been adequately studied
for wilderness designation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) is no longer subject to
section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c));
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) shall be managed in
accordance with this paragraph.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Management of released land.--The land
described in subparagraph (A) shall be administered by
the Director in accordance with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) a resource management plan
that is applicable to any land adjacent to the
land described in subparagraph (A);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the Whiskey Mountain
Cooperative Agreement between the Wyoming Game
and Fish Commission, the Forest Service, and
the Bureau, including any amendment to that
agreement relating to the management of bighorn
sheep.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Management of Land in Fremont County, Wyoming.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Definition of county.--In this subsection, the
term ``County'' means Fremont County, Wyoming.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Lander slope and red canyon areas of
environmental concern.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Transfers.--The Director shall pursue
transfers in which land managed by the Bureau in the
County is exchanged for land owned by the State that is
within the boundaries of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the Lander Slope Area of
Critical Environmental Concern; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the Red Canyon Area of
Critical Environmental Concern.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Requirements.--A transfer under
subparagraph (A) shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) comply with all requirements
of law, including any required analysis;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) be subject to
appropriation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Study.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Director shall carry
out a study to evaluate the potential for the
development of special motorized recreation areas in
the County.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Requirements.--The study under
subparagraph (A) shall evaluate--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the potential for the
development of special motorized recreation
areas on all land managed by the Bureau in the
County except--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) T. 40 N., R. 94 W.,
secs. 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27,
28, 29, and the N\1/2\ sec. 34;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) any land that is
subject to a restriction on the use of
off-road vehicles under any Federal
law, including this Act;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the suitability of the land
for off-road vehicles, including rock crawlers;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) the parking, staging, and
camping necessary to accommodate special
motorized recreation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Report.--Not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall
submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of
the House of Representatives a report describing the
findings of the study under subparagraph (A).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Fremont county implementation team.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of the Interior shall establish a team, to be known as
the ``Fremont County Implementation Team'' (referred to
in this paragraph as the ``Team'') to advise and assist
the Director with respect to the implementation of the
management requirements described in this section that
are applicable to land in the County.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Membership.--The team shall consist
of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the Secretary of the Interior
(or a designee of the Secretary of the
Interior); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) 1 or more individuals
appointed by the Board of County Commissioners
of the County.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Nonapplicability of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act.--The team shall not be subject
to the requirements of chapter 10 of title 5, United
States Code (commonly referred to as the ``Federal
Advisory Committee Act'').</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. DESIGNATION OF LAND IN JOHNSON AND CAMPBELL COUNTIES,
WYOMING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Designations.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Fortification creek management area.--The land
within the Fortification Creek Wilderness Study Area is
designated as the ``Fortification Creek Management
Area''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Fraker mountain management area.--The land
within the Gardner Mountain Wilderness Study Area is designated
as the ``Fraker Mountain Management Area''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) North fork management area.--The land within
the North Fork Wilderness Study Area is designated as the
``North Fork Management Area''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Management.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Administration.--The management areas
designated by subsection (a) (referred to in this subsection as
the ``Management Areas'') shall be administered by the Director
in a manner that--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) promotes nonmotorized backcountry
recreation, including hunting; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) supports ongoing projects to maintain
and improve--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) wildlife habitat;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) forest health;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) watershed protection;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) ecological and cultural
values.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Roads.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Prohibition on new permanent roads.--
The construction of new permanent roads in the
Management Areas shall not be allowed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Temporary roads.--The Secretary of the
Interior may authorize the construction of new
temporary roads in the Management Areas--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) fire
suppression;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) forest health and
restoration;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) weed and pest
control;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) habitat
management;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (V) livestock management;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (VI) the construction,
reconstruction, or maintenance of a
range improvement; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) to respond to an
emergency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Motorized vehicles.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), the use of motorized or mechanized
vehicles in the Management Areas shall not be
allowed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Exceptions.--The Director may allow
the use of motorized or mechanized vehicles in the
Management Areas--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) fire
suppression;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) forest health and
restoration;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) weed and pest
control;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) habitat
management;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (V) livestock management;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (VI) the construction,
reconstruction, or maintenance of a
range improvement; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) to respond to an
emergency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the
Management Areas shall be administered in accordance with the
laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the
Bureau.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Prohibition on certain infrastructure.--The
development, construction, or installation of infrastructure
for recreational use shall not be allowed in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the Fraker Mountain Management Area;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the North Fork Management
Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Withdrawal.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), subject to valid rights in existence
on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within
the boundaries of the Management Areas is withdrawn
from--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) location, entry, and patent
under the mining laws; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) disposition under all laws
relating to mineral and geothermal
leasing.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Exception.--The Secretary of the
Interior may lease oil and gas resources within the
boundaries of a management area designated by paragraph
(1) if--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the lease may only be accessed
by directional drilling from a lease that is
outside of the management area; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the lease prohibits, without
exception or waiver, surface occupancy and
surface disturbance within the management area
for any activities, including activities
related to exploration, development, or
production.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Release of wilderness study areas.--Congress
finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the
land within the Fortification Creek Wilderness Study Area, the
Gardner Mountain Wilderness Study Area, and the North Fork
Wilderness Study Area has been adequately studied for
wilderness designation and is no longer subject to section
603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
(43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 6. DESIGNATION OF LAND IN WASHAKIE AND HOT SPRINGS
COUNTIES, WYOMING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Designation of Bobcat Draw Wilderness.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Designation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--In accordance with the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the
approximately 6,200 acres of land within the Bobcat
Draw Wilderness Study Area described in subparagraph
(B) is designated as wilderness and as a component of
the National Wilderness Preservation System, to be
known as the ``Bobcat Draw Wilderness'' (referred to in
this subsection as the ``Wilderness'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Included land.--The Wilderness shall
consist of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) in T. 48 N., R. 97 W., secs.
2, 3, 10, 11, 15, 22, 23, 26, and 27, any land
in the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area that
is in Washakie County, Wyoming;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) in T. 48 N., R. 97 W., sec.
4, the land in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the E\1/2\SE\1/
4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) lots 5, 6, 11, 12, 13
and 14 of the NE\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) the east \1/2\ of
lot 10 of the NW\1/4\; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) the northeast \1/4\
of lot 15 of the NW\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) in T. 48 N., R. 97 W., sec.
9, the land in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the E\1/2\NE\1/
4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the SW\1/4\NE\1/
4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) the E\1/2\NW\1/
4\NE\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) the SE\1/4\SE\1/
4\NW\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (V) the SE\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (VI) the E\1/2\NE\1/
4\SW\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (VII) the SW\1/4\NE\1/
4\SW\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (VIII) the SE\1/4\SW\1/4\;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IX) the E\1/2\SW\1/
4\SW\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) in T. 48 N., R. 97 W., sec.
14, the land in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the W\1/2\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the W\1/2\NE\1/
4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) the W\1/2\SE\1/4\;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) the SE\1/4\SE\1/
4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (v) in T. 48 N., R. 97 W., sec.
21, the land in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the NE\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the E\1/2\NE\1/
4\NW\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) the E\1/2\SE\1/
4\NW\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) the E\1/2\NE\1/
4\SW\1/4\;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (V) that part of the E\1/
2\SE\1/4\SW\1/4\ within the boundary of
the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (VI) that part of the
SE\1/4\ within the boundary of the
Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (vi) in T. 48 N., R. 97 W., sec.
24, the land in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the W\1/2\NW\1/4\;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) that part of the
NW\1/4\SW\1/4\ within the boundary of
the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study
Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Management.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Administration.--Subject to valid
existing rights, the Wilderness shall be administered
by the Director in accordance with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) this paragraph; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.), except that any reference in
that Act to the effective date of that Act
shall be considered to be a reference to the
date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the
Wilderness, where established before the date of
enactment of this Act, shall be allowed to continue in
accordance with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) section 4(d)(4) of the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1133(d)(4));</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the guidelines set forth in
the report of the Committee on Interior and
Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives
accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress (H.
Rept. 96-617); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) the guidelines set forth in
appendix A of the Report of the Committee on
Interior and Insular Affairs to accompany H.R.
2570 of the 101st Congress (H. Rept. 101-
405).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Review of policies, practices, and
regulations.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--To ensure that
the policies, practices, and regulations of the
Department conform to and implement the intent
of Congress regarding forest fires and the
outbreak of disease or insects, not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall review
all policies, practices, and regulations of the
Department applicable to the Wilderness that
pertain to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) forest fires,
including the use of modern methods of
fire suppression (including mechanical
activity, as necessary); or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the outbreak of
disease or insect
populations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Revisions.--On completion of
the review under clause (i), the Secretary of
the Interior shall revise or develop policies,
practices, and regulations for the Wilderness--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) to ensure the timely
and efficient control of fires,
diseases, and insects in the
Wilderness; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) to provide, to the
maximum extent practicable, adequate
protection from forest fires, disease
outbreaks, and insect infestations to
any Federal, State, or private land
adjacent to the Wilderness.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Release of wilderness study area.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Release.--Congress finds that, for the
purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the
land within the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area not
designated as wilderness by this subsection has been
adequately studied for wilderness designation and is no
longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C.
1782(c)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Classification and management of
released land.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Classification.--The Director
shall designate the land described in
subparagraph (A) as visual resource management
class II.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Grazing.--Grazing of
livestock on the land described in subparagraph
(A) shall be administered--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) as a nondiscretionary
use; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) in accordance with
the laws generally applicable to land
under the jurisdiction of the
Bureau.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Travel management plan.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--Not later than 2
years after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Director shall develop a travel management
plan for the land described in subparagraph
(A).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Requirements.--The travel
management plan under clause (i) shall--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) identify all existing
roads and trails on the land described
in subparagraph (A);</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) designate each road
or trail available for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (aa) motorized or
mechanized recreation;
or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (bb) agriculture
practices;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) prohibit the
construction of any new road or trail
for motorized or mechanized recreation
use; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) permit the continued
use of nonmotorized trails.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) Withdrawal.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--Except as
provided in clause (ii), subject to valid
rights in existence on the date of enactment of
this Act, the land described in subparagraph
(A) is withdrawn from--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) location, entry, and
patent under the mining laws;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) disposition under all
laws relating to mineral and geothermal
leasing.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Exception.--The Secretary of
the Interior may lease oil and gas resources
within the land described in subparagraph (A)
if--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the lease may only be
accessed by directional drilling from a
lease that is outside of the land
described in subparagraph (A);
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the lease prohibits,
without exception or waiver, surface
occupancy and surface disturbance on
the land described in subparagraph (A)
for any activities, including
activities related to exploration,
development, or production.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Designation of Cedar Mountain Special Management
Area.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Designation.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), the land within the Cedar Mountain
Wilderness Study Area is designated as the ``Cedar
Mountain Special Management Area'' (referred to in this
subsection as the ``Special Management
Area'').</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Excluded land.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) In general.--The land
described in clause (ii) is not included in the
Special Management Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Land described.--The land
referred to in clause (i) is the land
designated by the Bureau as not suitable for
wilderness in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) the NE\1/4\NW\1/4\
sec. 5, T. 44 N., R. 94 W;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) the NE\1/4\SE\1/4\
sec. 5, T. 44 N., R. 94 W;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (III) the SW\1/4\NE\1/4\
sec. 5, T. 44 N., R. 94 W;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (IV) the SW\1/4\SW\1/4\
sec. 32, T. 45 N., R. 94 W.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Administration.--The Special Management Area
shall be administered by the Director in a manner that--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) maintains the recreational, scenic,
cultural, ecological, wildlife, and livestock
production values of the Special Management Area;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) promotes continued use of the Special
Management Area for recreational activities, including
hunting and wildlife viewing.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Travel management plan.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director
shall develop a travel management plan for the Special
Management Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Requirements.--The travel management
plan under subparagraph (A) shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) identify all existing roads
and trails in the Special Management
Area;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) designate each road or trail
available for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) motorized or
mechanized recreation; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) agriculture
practices;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) prohibit the construction of
any new road or trail for motorized or
mechanized recreation use; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iv) permit the continued use of
nonmotorized trails.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Motorized vehicles.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Use of motorized vehicles for
livestock.--The use of motorized vehicles shall be
allowed on any road in the Special Management Area
for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the construction,
reconstruction, or maintenance of range
improvements; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) other livestock-management
purposes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Use of motorized vehicles for
emergencies.--The use of motorized vehicles shall be
allowed in the Special Management Area--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) for fire
suppression;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) for weed and pest management;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (iii) to respond to an
emergency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the Special
Management Area shall be administered--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) as a nondiscretionary use;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) in accordance with the laws generally
applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the
Bureau.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Withdrawal.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), subject to valid rights in existence
on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within
the boundaries of the Special Management Area is
withdrawn from--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) location, entry, and patent
under the mining laws; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) disposition under all laws
relating to mineral and geothermal
leasing.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Exception.--The Secretary of the
Interior may lease oil and gas resources within the
boundaries of the Special Management Area if--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) the lease may only be accessed
by directional drilling from a lease that is
outside of the Special Management Area;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the lease prohibits, without
exception or waiver, surface occupancy and
surface disturbance within the Special
Management Area for any activities, including
activities related to exploration, development,
or production.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Release of wilderness study area.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Release.--Congress finds that, for the
purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the
land within the Cedar Mountain Wilderness Study Area
has been adequately studied for wilderness designation
and is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
U.S.C. 1782(c)).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Management of certain released land.--
The Director shall manage any land described in
subparagraph (A) that is not included in the Special
Management Area in a manner consistent with a resource
management plan that is applicable to any land that--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) is managed by the Bureau;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) is similarly situated to the
land described in subparagraph (A) that is not
included in the Special Management
Area.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Release of Honeycombs Wilderness Study Area.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Release.--Congress finds that, for the
purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the land within the
Honeycombs Wilderness Study Area--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) has been adequately studied for
wilderness designation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) is no longer subject to section 603(c)
of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
(43 U.S.C. 1782(c)); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) shall be managed in accordance with
this subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Management of released land.--The land
described in paragraph (1) shall be administered by the
Director in accordance with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the Federal Land Policy and Management
Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) a resource management plan that is
applicable to any land adjacent to the land described
in paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Study of Land in Hot Springs and Washakie Counties.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Definition of counties.--In this subsection,
the term ``Counties'' means each of the following counties in
the State:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Hot Springs County.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Washakie County.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Study.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Director shall carry
out a study to evaluate the potential for the
development of new special motorized recreation areas
in the Counties.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Requirements.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (i) Land included.--The study
under subparagraph (A) shall evaluate the
potential for the development of new special
motorized recreation areas on all land managed
by the Bureau in the Counties except any land
that is subject to a restriction on the use of
motorized or mechanized vehicles under any
Federal law, including this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) Public input;
collaboration.--In carrying out the study under
subparagraph (A), the Director shall--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (I) offer opportunities
for public input; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (II) collaborate with--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (aa) Wyoming
Parks, Historic Sites, and
Trails; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (bb) the
Counties.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Report.--Not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall
submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of
the House of Representatives a report describing the
findings of the study under subparagraph (A).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 7. APPLICATION OF BLM RULE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The proposed rule of the Bureau entitled ``Conservation
and Landscape Health'' (88 Fed. Reg. 19583 (April 3, 2023)) or any
substantially similar rule shall not apply to the land covered by this
Act.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Act
of 2023''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Bureau.--The term ``Bureau'' means the Bureau of Land
Management.
(2) Range improvement.--The term ``range improvement'' has
the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Public
Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 (43 U.S.C. 1902).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Wyoming.
(5) Wilderness area.--The term ``wilderness area'' means a
wilderness area designated by section 3.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS.
In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the
following areas in the State are designated as wilderness and as
components of the National Wilderness Preservation System:
(1) Encampment river canyon wilderness.--
(A) In general.--Certain Federal land administered
by the Bureau in the State, comprising approximately
4,523.84 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled ``Proposed Encampment River Wilderness'' and
dated December 5, 2023, which shall be known as the
``Encampment River Canyon Wilderness''.
(B) Excluded land.--The following land is not
included in the Encampment River Canyon Wilderness:
(i) Any land in the NW\1/4\NW\1/4\NW\1/4\
sec. 24, T. 14 N., R. 84 W.
(ii) Any land within 100 feet of the
centerline of--
(I) County Road 353; or
(II) Water Valley Road.
(2) Prospect mountain wilderness.--
(A) In general.--Certain Federal land administered
by the Bureau in the State, comprising approximately
1,099.76 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled ``Proposed Prospect Mountain Wilderness'' and
dated December 8, 2023, which shall be known as the
``Prospect Mountain Wilderness''.
(B) Excluded land.--Any land within 100 feet of the
centerline of Prospect Road is not included in the
Prospect Mountain Wilderness.
(3) Upper sweetwater canyon wilderness.--
(A) In general.--Certain Federal land administered
by the Bureau in the State, comprising approximately
2,877.35 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled ``Proposed Upper Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness'' and dated December 6, 2023, which shall be
known as the ``Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness''.
(B) Boundary.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), the boundary of the Upper
Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness shall conform to
the boundary of the Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness Study Area.
(ii) Eastern boundary.--The eastern
boundary of the Upper Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness shall be 100 feet from the western
edge of the north-south road bisecting the
Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness and the
Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness, known as
``Strawberry Creek Road''.
(iii) Exclusion of existing roads.--Any
established legal route with authorized
motorized use in existence on the date of
enactment of this Act that enters the Upper
Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness in T. 28 N., R. 98
W., sec. 4, or the Lower Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness in T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 33, is
not included in the Upper Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness.
(4) Lower sweetwater canyon wilderness.--
(A) In general.--Certain Federal land administered
by the Bureau in the State, comprising approximately
5,665.19 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled ``Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness'' and
dated December 5, 2023, which shall be known as the
``Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness''.
(B) Boundary.--
(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), the boundary of the Lower
Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness shall conform to
the boundary of the Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness Study Area.
(ii) Western boundary.--The western
boundary of the Lower Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness shall be 100 feet from the eastern
edge of the north-south road bisecting the
Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness and the
Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness, known as
``Strawberry Creek Road''.
(iii) Exclusion of existing roads.--Any
established legal route with authorized
motorized use in existence on the date of
enactment of this Act that enters the Upper
Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness in T. 29 N., R. 98
W., sec. 4, or the Lower Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness in T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 33, is
not included in the Lower Sweetwater Canyon
Wilderness.
(5) Bobcat draw wilderness.--Certain Federal land
administered by the Bureau in the State, comprising
approximately 6,246.84 acres, as generally depicted on the map
entitled ``Proposed Bobcat Draw Wilderness'' and dated December
8, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Bobcat Draw
Wilderness''.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS.
(a) In General.--Subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary
shall administer the wilderness areas in accordance with this section
and the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that--
(1) any reference in that Act to the effective date of that
Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of
enactment of this Act; and
(2) any reference in that Act to the Secretary of
Agriculture shall be considered to be a reference to the
Secretary.
(b) Fire Management and Related Activities.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may carry out any activities
in a wilderness area as are necessary for the control of fire,
insects, or disease in accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)).
(2) Coordination.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall coordinate with--
(A) the Wyoming Forestry Division; and
(B) the applicable county in the State in which the
wilderness area is located.
(3) Fire management plan.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
establish a fire management plan for the wilderness areas--
(A) to ensure the timely and efficient control of
fires, diseases, and insects in the wilderness areas,
in accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness
Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)); and
(B) to provide, to the maximum extent practicable,
adequate protection from forest fires, disease
outbreaks, and insect infestations to any Federal,
State, or private land adjacent to the wilderness
areas.
(c) Grazing.--The grazing of livestock in a wilderness area, if
established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be
administered in accordance with--
(1) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1133(d)(4)); and
(2) the guidelines set forth in Appendix A of House Report
101-405, accompanying H.R. 2570 of the 101st Congress, for land
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior.
(d) Buffer Zones.--
(1) In general.--Nothing in this section establishes a
protective perimeter or buffer zone around a wilderness area.
(2) Outside activities or uses.--The fact that a
nonwilderness activity or use can be seen or heard from within
a wilderness area shall not preclude the activity or use
outside the boundary of the wilderness area.
SEC. 5. RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS.
(a) Finding.--Congress finds that, for purposes of section 603(c)
of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C.
1782(c)), any portion of a wilderness study area described in
subsection (b) that is not designated as a wilderness area by section 3
has been adequately studied for wilderness designation.
(b) Description of Land.--The wilderness study areas referred to in
subsections (a) and (c) are the following:
(1) The Encampment River Canyon Wilderness Study Area.
(2) The Prospect Mountain Wilderness Study Area.
(3) The Bennett Mountains Wilderness Study Area.
(4) The Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area.
(5) The Lankin Dome Wilderness Study Area.
(6) The Split Rock Wilderness Study Area.
(7) The Savage Peak Wilderness Study Area.
(8) The Miller Springs Wilderness Study Area.
(9) The Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area.
(10) The Copper Mountain Wilderness Study Area.
(11) The Whiskey Mountain Wilderness Study Area.
(12) The Fortification Creek Wilderness Study Area.
(13) The Gardner Mountain Wilderness Study Area.
(14) The North Fork Wilderness Study Area.
(15) The portion of the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area
located in Washakie County, Wyoming.
(16) The Cedar Mountain Wilderness Study Area.
(17) The Honeycombs Wilderness Study Area.
(c) Release.--Any portion of a wilderness study area described in
subsection (b) that is not designated as a wilderness area by section 3
is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).
(d) Management of Released Land.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the portions of
the wilderness study areas released under subsection (c) in
accordance with--
(A) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);
(B) applicable land management plans;
(C) applicable management provisions under
paragraph (2); and
(D) any other applicable law.
(2) Specific management provisions.--
(A) Bennett mountains wilderness study area.--The
Secretary shall manage the portion of the Bennett
Mountains Wilderness Study Area released under
subsection (c) in accordance with section 8(a).
(B) Dubois badlands wilderness study area.--
(i) Division.--The Secretary shall divide
the land within the Dubois Badlands Wilderness
Study Area by authorizing the installation of a
fence or the repair or relocation of an
existing fence in T. 41 N., R. 106 W., sec. 5,
that--
(I) follows existing infrastructure
and natural barriers;
(II) begins at an intersection with
North Mountain View Road in the NE\1/
4\NW\1/4\ sec. 5, T. 41 N., R. 106 W.;
(III) from the point described in
subclause (II), proceeds southeast to a
point near the midpoint of the NE\1/4\
sec. 5, T. 41 N., R. 106 W.; and
(IV) from the point described in
subclause (III), proceeds southwest to
a point in the SW\1/4\NE\1/4\ sec. 5,
T. 41 N., R. 106 W., that intersects
with the boundary of the Dubois
Badlands Wilderness Study Area.
(ii) Management.--The Secretary shall
manage the portion of the Dubois Badlands
Wilderness Study Area released under subsection
(c) in accordance with--
(I) paragraph (1); and
(II) sections 6 and 7.
(C) Copper mountain wilderness study area.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary shall manage
the portion of the Copper Mountain Wilderness
Study Area released under subsection (c) in
accordance with paragraph (1).
(ii) Mineral leasing.--
(I) In general.--The Secretary may
lease oil and gas resources within the
land released from the Copper Mountain
Wilderness Study Area under subsection
(c) if--
(aa) the lease may only be
accessed by directional
drilling from a lease that is
outside of the land released
from the Copper Mountain
Wilderness Study Area; and
(bb) the lease prohibits,
without exception or waiver,
surface occupancy and surface
disturbance on the land
released from the Copper
Mountain Wilderness Study Area
for any activities, including
activities relating to
exploration, development, or
production.
(II) Underground rights-of-way.--
The Secretary may grant underground
rights-of-way for any mineral lease
entered into under subclause (I).
(III) Prohibition of certain
leases.--Subject to valid rights in
existence on the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall not issue
a new lease for a wind or solar
project, an overhead transmission line,
or a communication tower on the land
released from the Copper Mountain
Wilderness Study Area under subsection
(c).
(IV) Authority to exchange land.--
In carrying out any land exchange
involving any of the land released from
the Copper Mountain Wilderness Study
Area under subsection (c), the
Secretary shall ensure that the
exchange does not result in a net loss
of Federal land.
(D) Whiskey mountain wilderness study area.--The
Secretary shall manage the portion of the Whiskey
Mountain Wilderness Study Area released under
subsection (c) in accordance with--
(i) paragraph (1); and
(ii) the Whiskey Mountain Cooperative
Agreement between the Wyoming Game and Fish
Commission, the Forest Service, and the Bureau,
including any amendment to that agreement
relating to the management of bighorn sheep.
(E) Bobcat draw wilderness study area.--
(i) Travel management plan.--
(I) In general.--Not later than 2
years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall develop a
travel management plan for the land
released from the Bobcat Draw
Wilderness Study Area under subsection
(c).
(II) Requirements.--The travel
management plan under subclause (I)
shall--
(aa) identify all existing
roads and trails on the land
released from the Bobcat Draw
Wilderness Study Area under
subsection (c);
(bb) designate each road or
trail available for--
(AA) motorized or
mechanized recreation;
or
(BB) agriculture
practices;
(cc) prohibit the
construction of any new road or
trail for motorized or
mechanized recreation use; and
(dd) permit the continued
use of nonmotorized trails.
(ii) Withdrawal.--
(I) In general.--Except as provided
in subclause (II), subject to valid
rights in existence on the date of
enactment of this Act, the land
released from the Bobcat Draw
Wilderness Study Area under subsection
(c) is withdrawn from--
(aa) all forms of
appropriation or disposal under
the public land laws;
(bb) location, entry, and
patent under the mining laws;
and
(cc) disposition under laws
relating to mineral and
geothermal leasing.
(II) Exception.--The Secretary may
lease oil and gas resources within the
land released from the Bobcat Draw
Wilderness Study Area under subsection
(c) if--
(aa) the lease may only be
accessed by directional
drilling from a lease that is
outside of the land released
from the Bobcat Draw Wilderness
Study Area; and
(bb) the lease prohibits,
without exception or waiver,
surface occupancy and surface
disturbance on the land
released from the Bobcat Draw
Wilderness Study Area for any
activities, including
activities related to
exploration, development, or
production.
SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF DUBOIS BADLANDS NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA.
(a) Establishment.--Subject to valid existing rights, there is
established the Dubois Badlands National Conservation Area (referred to
in this section as the ``Conservation Area''), comprising approximately
4,446.46 acres of Federal land administered by the Bureau in the State,
as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Badlands National
Conservation Area'' and dated November 15, 2023.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Conservation Area is to conserve,
protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and
future generations the ecological, wildlife, recreational, scenic,
cultural, historical, and natural resources of the Area.
(c) Management.--Subject to valid rights in existence on the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall manage the Conservation
Area--
(1) in a manner that only allows uses of the Conservation
Area that the Secretary determines would further the purpose of
the Conservation Area described in subsection (b); and
(2) in accordance with--
(A) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);
(B) this section; and
(C) any other applicable law.
(d) Motorized Vehicles.--
(1) In general.--The use of motorized vehicles in the
Conservation Area shall be permitted only on existing roads,
trails, and areas designated by the Secretary for use by such
vehicles as of the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Exceptions.--The Secretary may allow the use of
motorized vehicles in the Conservation Area as needed for
administrative purposes and emergency response.
(e) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the Conservation Area shall
be administered in accordance with the laws generally applicable to
land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau.
(f) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid rights in existence on the date
of enactment of this Act, the land within the boundaries of the
Conservation Area is withdrawn from--
(1) all forms of appropriation or disposal under the public
land laws;
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3) disposition under laws relating to mineral and
geothermal leasing.
SEC. 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF DUBOIS MOTORIZED RECREATION AREA.
(a) Establishment.--Subject to valid existing rights, there is
established the Dubois Motorized Recreation Area (referred to in this
section as the ``Recreation Area''), comprising approximately 367.72
acres of Federal land administered by the Bureau in the State, as
generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Dubois Motorized
Recreation Area'' and dated November 15, 2023.
(b) Management.--
(1) Boundary fence.--The Secretary shall authorize the
construction of a fence along the western boundary of the
Recreation Area on any Federal land that--
(A) is managed by the Bureau; and
(B) is west of North Mountain View Road.
(2) Travel management plan.--As soon as practicable after
the date of completion of the fence described in paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall establish a travel management plan for the
Recreation Area that efficiently coordinates the use of
motorized off-road vehicles in the Recreation Area.
SEC. 8. ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS.
(a) Bennet Mountains Special Management Area.--
(1) Establishment.--Subject to valid existing rights, there
is established the Bennett Mountains Special Management Area
(referred to in this subsection as the ``Special Management
Area''), comprising approximately 6,165.05 acres of Federal
land in the State administered by the Bureau, as generally
depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Bennet Mountains
Special Management Area'' and dated November 15, 2023.
(2) Administration.--The Special Management Area shall be
administered by the Secretary.
(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the Special Management Area is
to enhance the natural, historic, scenic, and recreational,
values of the area.
(4) Management.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the
Special Management Area--
(i) in furtherance of the purpose described
in paragraph (3); and
(ii) in accordance with--
(I) the laws (including
regulations) generally applicable to
the Bureau;
(II) this subsection; and
(III) any other applicable law
(including regulations).
(B) Roads; motorized vehicles.--
(i) Roads.--The construction of new
permanent roads in the Special Management Area
shall not be allowed.
(ii) Motorized vehicles.--Except as needed
for administrative purposes, emergency
response, fire management, forest health and
restoration, weed and pest control, habitat
management, livestock management, and range
improvement, the use of motorized and
mechanized vehicles in the Special Management
Area shall be allowed only on existing roads
and trails designated for the use of motorized
or mechanized vehicles.
(iii) Travel management plan.--Not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall establish a
travel management plan for the Special
Management Area.
(C) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the Special
Management Area shall be administered in accordance
with the laws generally applicable to land under the
jurisdiction of the Bureau.
(D) Timber harvesting.--Commercial timber
harvesting shall not be allowed in the Special
Management Area.
(5) Withdrawal.--
(A) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights
and subparagraph (B), the Special Management Area is
withdrawn from--
(i) all forms of appropriation or disposal
under the public land laws;
(ii) location, entry, and patent under the
mining laws; and
(iii) disposition under laws relating to
mineral and geothermal leasing.
(B) Exception.--The Secretary may lease oil and gas
resources within the boundaries of the Special
Management Area if--
(i) the lease may only be accessed by
directional drilling from a lease that is
outside of the Special Management Area; and
(ii) the lease prohibits, without exception
or waiver, surface occupancy and surface
disturbance within the Special Management Area
for any activities, including activities
related to exploration, development, or
production.
(b) Black Cat Special Management Area.--
(1) Establishment.--Subject to valid existing rights, there
is established the Black Cat Special Management Area (referred
to in this subsection as the ``Special Management Area''),
comprising approximately 1,178 acres of Federal land in Carbon
County, Wyoming, as generally depicted on the map entitled
``Black Cat Special Management Area'' and dated November 13,
2023.
(2) Administration.--The Special Management Area shall be
administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the Special Management Area is
to enhance the natural, historic, scenic, and recreational
values of the area.
(4) Management.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
manage the Special Management Area--
(i) in furtherance of the purpose described
in paragraph (3); and
(ii) in accordance with--
(I) the laws (including
regulations) generally applicable to
National Forest System land;
(II) this subsection; and
(III) any other applicable law
(including regulations).
(B) Roads; motorized vehicles.--
(i) Roads.--The construction of new
permanent roads in the Special Management Area
shall not be allowed.
(ii) Motorized vehicles.--Except as needed
for administrative purposes, emergency
response, fire management, forest health and
restoration, weed and pest control, habitat
management, livestock management, and range
improvement, the use of motorized and
mechanized vehicles in the Special Management
Area shall be allowed only on existing roads
and trails designated for the use of motorized
or mechanized vehicles.
(iii) Travel management plan.--Not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall
establish a travel management plan for the
Special Management Area.
(C) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the Special
Management Area shall be administered in accordance
with the laws generally applicable to grazing on
National Forest System land.
(D) Timber harvesting.--Commercial timber
harvesting shall not be allowed in the Special
Management Area.
(5) Withdrawal.--
(A) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights
and subparagraph (B), the Special Management Area is
withdrawn from--
(i) all forms of appropriation or disposal
under the public land laws;
(ii) location, entry, and patent under the
mining laws; and
(iii) disposition under laws relating to
mineral and geothermal leasing.
(B) Exception.--The Secretary may, with the
approval of the Secretary of Agriculture, lease oil and
gas resources within the boundaries of the Special
Management Area if--
(i) the lease may only be accessed by
directional drilling from a lease that is
outside of the Special Management Area; and
(ii) the lease prohibits, without exception
or waiver, surface occupancy and surface
disturbance within the Special Management Area
for any activities, including activities
related to exploration, development, or
production.
(c) Sweetwater Rocks Special Management Area.--
(1) Establishment.--Subject to valid existing rights, there
is established the Sweetwater Rocks Special Management Area
(referred to in this subsection as the ``Special Management
Area''), comprising approximately 34,347.79 acres of Federal
land in Fremont and Natrona Counties, Wyoming, as generally
depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Sweetwater Rocks
Special Management Area'' and dated November 15, 2023.
(2) Administration.--The Special Management Area shall be
administered by the Secretary.
(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the Special Management Area is
to enhance the natural, historic, scenic, and recreational,
values of the area.
(4) Management.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the
Special Management Area--
(i) in furtherance of the purpose described
in paragraph (3); and
(ii) in accordance with--
(I) the laws (including
regulations) generally applicable to
the Bureau;
(II) this subsection; and
(III) any other applicable law
(including regulations).
(B) Roads; motorized vehicles.--
(i) Roads.--The construction of new
permanent roads in the Special Management Area
shall not be allowed.
(ii) Motorized vehicles.--Except as needed
for administrative purposes, emergency
response, fire management, forest health and
restoration, weed and pest control, habitat
management, livestock management, and range
improvement, the use of motorized and
mechanized vehicles in the Special Management
Area shall be allowed only on existing roads
and trails designated for the use of motorized
or mechanized vehicles.
(iii) Travel management plan.--Not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall establish a
travel management plan for the Special
Management Area.
(C) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the Special
Management Area shall be administered in accordance
with the laws generally applicable to the Bureau.
(D) Prohibition of certain overhead towers.--No new
overhead transmission or communications tower shall be
constructed in the Special Management Area.
(E) Land exchanges.--The Secretary may propose to,
and carry out with, an individual or entity owning land
in the vicinity of the Special Management Area any land
exchange that--
(i) increases access to the Special
Management Area; and
(ii) does not result in a net loss of
Federal land.
(F) Underground rights-of-way.--Notwithstanding
paragraph (5), the Secretary may expand any underground
right-of-way in the Special Management Area that exists
as of the date of enactment of this Act.
(5) Withdrawal.--
(A) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights
and subparagraph (B), the Special Management Area is
withdrawn from--
(i) all forms of appropriation or disposal
under the public land laws;
(ii) location, entry, and patent under the
mining laws; and
(iii) disposition under laws relating to
mineral and geothermal leasing.
(B) Exception.--The Secretary may lease oil and gas
resources within the boundaries of the Special
Management Area if--
(i) the lease may only be accessed by
directional drilling from a lease that is
outside of the Special Management Area; and
(ii) the lease prohibits, without exception
or waiver, surface occupancy and surface
disturbance within the Special Management Area
for any activities, including activities
related to exploration, development, or
production.
(C) Wind and solar energy withdrawal.--Subject to
valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of
this Act, the land within the boundaries of the Special
Management Area is withdrawn from right-of-way leasing
and disposition under laws relating to wind or solar
energy.
(d) Fortification Creek Special Management Area; Fraker Mountain
Special Management Area; North Fork Special Management Area.--
(1) Definition of special management area.--In this
subsection, the term ``Special Management Area'' means a
special management area established by paragraph (2).
(2) Establishment of special management areas.--Subject to
valid existing rights there are established the following:
(A) The Fortification Creek Special Management
Area, comprising approximately 12,520.69 acres of
Federal land administered in the State by the Bureau,
as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed
Fortification Creek Management Area'' and dated
November 15, 2023.
(B) The Fraker Mountain Special Management Area,
comprising approximately 6,248.28 acres of Federal land
administered in the State by the Bureau, as generally
depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Fraker Mountain
Management Area'' and dated November 15, 2023.
(C) The North Fork Special Management Area,
comprising approximately 10,026.15 acres of Federal
land administered in the State by the Bureau, as
generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed North
Fork Management Area'' and dated November 15, 2023.
(3) Administration.--The Special Management Areas shall be
administered by the Secretary.
(4) Purpose.--The purpose of a Special Management Area is
to enhance the natural, historic, scenic, recreational,
wildlife habitat, forest health, watershed protection, and
ecological and cultural values of the area.
(5) Management.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall manage each
Special Management Area--
(i) in furtherance of the purpose described
in paragraph (4); and
(ii) in accordance with--
(I) the laws (including
regulations) generally applicable to
the Bureau;
(II) this subsection; and
(III) any other applicable law
(including regulations).
(B) Roads; motorized vehicles.--
(i) Roads.--The construction of new
permanent roads in a Special Management Area
shall not be allowed.
(ii) Motorized vehicles.--Except as needed
for administrative purposes, emergency
response, fire management, forest health and
restoration, weed and pest control, habitat
management, livestock management, and range
improvement, the use of motorized and
mechanized vehicles in a Special Management
Area shall be allowed only on existing roads
and trails designated for the use of motorized
or mechanized vehicles.
(iii) Travel management plan.--Not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall establish a
travel management plan for each Special
Management Area.
(C) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in a Special
Management Area shall be administered in accordance
with the laws generally applicable to land under the
jurisdiction of the Bureau.
(D) Prohibition of certain infrastructure.--The
development, construction, or installation of
infrastructure for recreational use shall not be
allowed in--
(i) the Fraker Mountain Special Management
Area; or
(ii) the North Fork Special Management
Area.
(6) Withdrawal.--
(A) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights
and subparagraph (B), the Special Management Areas are
withdrawn from--
(i) all forms of appropriation or disposal
under the public land laws;
(ii) location, entry, and patent under the
mining laws; and
(iii) disposition under laws relating to
mineral and geothermal leasing.
(B) Exception.--The Secretary may lease oil and gas
resources within the boundaries of a Special Management
Area if--
(i) the lease may only be accessed by
directional drilling from a lease that is
outside of the Special Management Area; and
(ii) the lease prohibits, without exception
or waiver, surface occupancy and surface
disturbance within the Special Management Area
for any activities, including activities
related to exploration, development, or
production.
(e) Cedar Mountain Special Management Area.--
(1) Establishment.--Subject to valid existing rights, there
is established the Cedar Mountain Special Management Area
(referred to in this subsection as the ``Special Management
Area''), comprising approximately 20,745.73 acres of Federal
land in the State administered by the Bureau, as generally
depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Cedar Mountain Special
Management Area'' and dated November 15, 2023.
(2) Administration.--The Special Management Area shall be
administered by the Secretary.
(3) Purpose.--The purpose of the Special Management Area is
to enhance the natural, historic, scenic, recreational,
ecological, wildlife, and livestock production values of the
area.
(4) Management.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the
Special Management Area--
(i) in furtherance of the purpose described
in paragraph (3); and
(ii) in accordance with--
(I) the laws (including
regulations) generally applicable to
the Bureau;
(II) this subsection; and
(III) any other applicable law
(including regulations).
(B) Roads; motorized vehicles.--
(i) Roads.--The construction of new
permanent roads in the Special Management Area
shall not be allowed.
(ii) Motorized vehicles.--Except as needed
for administrative purposes, emergency
response, fire management, forest health and
restoration, weed and pest control, habitat
management, livestock management, and range
improvement, the use of motorized and
mechanized vehicles in the Special Management
Area shall be allowed only on existing roads
and trails designated for the use of motorized
or mechanized vehicles.
(iii) Travel management plan.--Not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall establish a
travel management plan for the Special
Management Area.
(C) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the Special
Management Area shall be administered in accordance
with the laws generally applicable to land under the
jurisdiction of the Bureau.
(5) Withdrawal.--
(A) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights,
the Special Management Area is withdrawn from--
(i) all forms of appropriation or disposal
under the public land laws;
(ii) location, entry, and patent under the
mining laws; and
(iii) disposition under laws relating to
mineral and geothermal leasing.
(B) Exception.--The Secretary may lease oil and gas
resources within the boundaries of the Special
Management Area if--
(i) the lease may only be accessed by
directional drilling from a lease that is
outside of the Special Management Area; and
(ii) the lease prohibits, without exception
or waiver, surface occupancy and surface
disturbance within the Special Management Area
for any activities, including activities
related to exploration, development, or
production.
SEC. 9. LANDER SLOPE AREA OF CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN AND RED
CANYON AREA OF CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN.
(a) Definition of County.--In this section, the term ``County''
means Fremont County, Wyoming.
(b) Lander Slope Area of Critical Environmental Concern and Red
Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern.--
(1) Transfers.--The Secretary shall pursue transfers in
which land managed by the Bureau in the County is exchanged for
land owned by the State that is within the boundaries of--
(A) the Lander Slope Area of Critical Environmental
Concern; or
(B) the Red Canyon Area of Critical Environmental
Concern.
(2) Requirements.--A transfer under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) comply with all requirements of law, including
any required analysis; and
(B) be subject to appropriation.
(c) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a study to
evaluate the potential for the development of special motorized
recreation areas in the County.
(2) Requirements.--The study under paragraph (1) shall
evaluate--
(A) the potential for the development of special
motorized recreation areas on all land managed by the
Bureau in the County except--
(i) any land in T. 40 N., R. 94 W., secs.
15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, and the
N\1/2\ sec. 34; and
(ii) any land that is subject to a
restriction on the use of off-road vehicles
under any Federal law, including this Act;
(B) the suitability of the land evaluated under
subparagraph (A) for off-road vehicles, including rock
crawlers; and
(C) the parking, staging, and camping necessary to
accommodate special motorized recreation.
(3) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives
a report describing the findings of the study under paragraph
(1).
(d) Fremont County Implementation Team.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a team,
to be known as the ``Fremont County Implementation Team''
(referred to in this subsection as the ``Team'') to advise and
assist the Secretary with respect to the implementation of the
management requirements described in this section that are
applicable to land in the County.
(2) Membership.--The Team shall consist of--
(A) the Secretary (or a designee of the Secretary);
and
(B) 1 or more individuals appointed by the Board of
County Commissioners of the County.
(3) Nonapplicability of the federal advisory committee
act.--The Team shall not be subject to the requirements of
chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to
as the ``Federal Advisory Committee Act'').
SEC. 10. STUDY OF LAND IN HOT SPRINGS AND WASHAKIE COUNTIES.
(a) Definition of Counties.--In this section, the term ``Counties''
means each of the following counties in the State:
(1) Hot Springs County.
(2) Washakie County.
(b) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a study to
evaluate the potential for the development of new special
motorized recreation areas in the Counties.
(2) Requirements.--
(A) Land included.--The study under paragraph (1)
shall evaluate the potential for the development of new
special motorized recreation areas on Federal land
managed by the Bureau in the Counties except any land
that is subject to a restriction on the use of
motorized or mechanized vehicles under any Federal law,
including this Act.
(B) Public input; collaboration.--In carrying out
the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
(i) offer opportunities for public input;
and
(ii) collaborate with--
(I) State parks, historic sites,
and trails; and
(II) the Counties.
(3) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives
a report describing the findings of the study under paragraph
(1).
Calendar No. 422
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 1348
[Report No. 118-185]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To redesignate land within certain wilderness study areas in the State
of Wyoming, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
June 18, 2024
Reported with an amendment