[Pages S7288-S7297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              WYOMING PUBLIC LANDS INITIATIVE ACT OF 2023

                                 ______
                                 

            MALHEUR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT FOR THE OWYHEE ACT

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I ask 
unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration 
of the following bills: Calendar No. 422, which is S. 1348, and 
Calendar No. 501, which is S. 1890.
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bills 
en bloc, which had been reported from the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources, with amendments to strike all after the enacting 
clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:

                                S. 1348

     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.

[[Page S7289]]

  


     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.

[[Page S7290]]

       (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.

[[Page S7291]]

       (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--

[[Page S7292]]

       (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).

                                S. 1890

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Malheur Community 
     Empowerment for the Owyhee Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Bureau.--The term ``Bureau'' means the Bureau of Land 
     Management.
       (2) County.--The term ``County'' means Malheur County, 
     Oregon.
       (3) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means land in 
     the County managed by the Bureau.
       (4) Long-term ecological health.--The term ``long-term 
     ecological health'', with respect to an ecosystem, means the 
     ability of the ecological processes of the ecosystem to 
     function in a manner that maintains the composition, 
     structure, activity, and resilience of the ecosystem over 
     time, including an ecologically appropriate diversity of 
     plant and animal communities, habitats, connectivity, and 
     conditions that are sustainable through successional 
     processes.
       (5) Malheur c.e.o. group.--The term ``Malheur C.E.O. 
     Group'' means the group established by section 4(b).
       (6) Operational flexibility.--The term ``operational 
     flexibility'', with respect to grazing on the Federal land, 
     means--
       (A) a seasonal adjustment of livestock positioning for the 
     purposes of that grazing pursuant to a flexible grazing use 
     authorized under the program with respect to which written 
     notice is provided; or
       (B) an adjustment of water source placement with respect to 
     which written notice is provided.
       (7) Program.--The term ``program'' means the Malheur County 
     Grazing Management Program authorized under section 3(a).
       (8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (9) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Oregon.

     SEC. 3. MALHEUR COUNTY GRAZING MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary may carry out a grazing 
     management program on the Federal land, to be known as the 
     ``Malheur County Grazing Management Program'', in accordance 
     with applicable law (including regulations) and the 
     memorandum entitled ``Bureau of Land Management Instruction 
     Memorandum 2018-109'' (as in effect on September 30, 2021), 
     to provide to authorized grazing permittees and lessees 
     increased operational flexibility to improve the long-term 
     ecological health of the Federal land.
       (b) Permit Operational Flexibility.--
       (1) Flexible grazing use alternative for a grazing permit 
     or lease.--At the request of an authorized grazing permittee 
     or lessee, for purposes of renewing a grazing permit or lease 
     under the program, pursuant to the National Environmental 
     Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Secretary 
     shall develop and analyze at least 1 alternative to provide 
     operational flexibility in livestock grazing use to account 
     for changing conditions.
       (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall develop alternatives 
     under paragraph (1) in consultation with--
       (A) the applicable grazing permittee or lessee;
       (B) affected Federal and State agencies;
       (C) the Malheur C.E.O. Group;
       (D) the Burns Paiute Tribe or the Fort McDermitt Paiute and 
     Shoshone Tribes, as applicable;
       (E) other landowners in the affected allotment; and
       (F) interested members of the public.
       (3) Implementation of interim operational flexibilities.--
     If an applicable monitoring plan has been adopted under 
     paragraph (4), in order to improve long-term ecological 
     health, on the request of an authorized grazing permittee or 
     lessee, the Secretary shall, using new and existing data, 
     allow a variance to the terms and conditions of the existing 
     applicable grazing permit or lease for the applicable year 
     due to significant changes in weather, forage production, 
     effects of fire or drought, or other temporary conditions--
       (A) to adjust the season of use, the beginning date of the 
     period of use, the ending date of the period of use, or both 
     the beginning date and ending date, as applicable, under the 
     grazing permit or lease, subject to the requirements that--
       (i) unless otherwise specified in the appropriate allotment 
     management plan or any other activity plan that is the 
     functional equivalent to the appropriate allotment management 
     plan under section 4120.2(a)(3) of title 43, Code of Federal 
     Regulations (or a successor regulation), the applicable 
     adjusted date of the season of use occurs--

       (I) not earlier than 14 days before the beginning date 
     specified in the applicable permit or lease; and
       (II) not later than 14 days after the ending date specified 
     in the applicable permit or lease; and

[[Page S7293]]

       (ii) the authorized grazing permittee or lessee provides 
     written notice of the adjustment to the Bureau not later than 
     2 business days before the date of adjustment;
       (B) to adjust the dates for pasture rotation based on 
     average vegetation stage and soil condition by not more than 
     14 days, subject to the requirement that the authorized 
     grazing permittee or lessee shall provide to the Bureau 
     written notice of the adjustment not later than 2 business 
     days before the date of adjustment;
       (C) to adjust the placement of water structures for 
     livestock or wildlife by not more than 100 yards from an 
     associated existing road, pipeline, or structure, subject to 
     applicable laws and the requirement that the authorized 
     grazing permittee or lessee shall provide to the Bureau 
     written notice of the adjustment not later than 2 business 
     days before the date of adjustment; and
       (D) in a case in which the monitoring plan adopted under 
     paragraph (4) indicates alterations in the operational 
     flexibilities are necessary to achieve ecological health or 
     avoid immediate ecological degradation of the allotment or 
     allotment area, to adjust the operational flexibilities 
     immediately, subject to the requirement that the authorized 
     grazing permittee or lessee shall provide written notice of 
     the adjustment to the Bureau and the individuals and entities 
     described in subparagraphs (B) through (F) of paragraph (2).
       (4) Monitoring plans.--
       (A) Monitoring plans for permit flexibility.--
       (i) In general.--The Secretary shall adopt cooperative 
     rangeland monitoring plans and rangeland health objectives to 
     apply to actions taken under paragraph (1) and to monitor and 
     evaluate the improvements or degradations to the long-term 
     ecological health of the Federal land under the program, in 
     consultation with grazing permittees or lessees and other 
     individuals and entities described in paragraph (2), using 
     existing or new scientifically supportable data.
       (ii) Requirements.--A monitoring plan adopted under clause 
     (i) shall--

       (I) identify situations in which providing operational 
     flexibility in grazing permit or lease uses under the program 
     is appropriate to improve long-term ecological health of the 
     Federal land;
       (II) identify ways in which progress under the program 
     would be measured toward long-term ecological health of the 
     Federal land;
       (III) include for projects monitored under the program--

       (aa) a description of the condition standards for which the 
     monitoring is tracking, including baseline conditions and 
     desired outcome conditions;
       (bb) a description of monitoring methods and protocols;
       (cc) a schedule for collecting data;
       (dd) an identification of the responsible party for data 
     collection and storage;
       (ee) an evaluation schedule;
       (ff) a description of the anticipated use of the data;
       (gg) provisions for adjusting any components of the 
     monitoring plan; and
       (hh) a description of the method to communicate the 
     criteria for adjusting livestock grazing use; and

       (IV) provide for annual reports on the effects of 
     flexibility in grazing permit or lease uses under the program 
     to allow the Secretary to make management adjustments to 
     account for the information provided in the annual report.

       (B) Monitoring plans for interim operational flexibility.--
       (i) In general.--The Secretary shall adopt cooperative 
     rangeland utilization monitoring plans and rangeland health 
     objectives to apply to actions taken under paragraph (3) and 
     to monitor and evaluate the improvements or degradations to 
     the long-term ecological health of the Federal land 
     identified for flexible use under the program.
       (ii) Requirements.--A monitoring plan developed under 
     clause (i) shall--

       (I) evaluate the percent utilization of available forage;
       (II) identify the appropriate percentage of utilization for 
     the feed type, ecosystem, time of year, and type of animal 
     using the allotment;
       (III) include--

       (aa) a description of the utilization standards for which 
     the monitoring is tracking, including baseline conditions and 
     desired outcome conditions;
       (bb) a description of utilization evaluation protocol;
       (cc) an evaluation schedule identifying periods during 
     which utilization data will be collected;
       (dd) provisions for adjusting any components of the 
     monitoring plan, including acceptance of data from identified 
     third parties; and
       (ee) a description of the method to communicate the 
     criteria for adjusting livestock grazing use based on the on-
     the-ground conditions after the period of use; and

       (IV) provide for annual reports on the effects of 
     flexibility in grazing permit or lease uses under the program 
     to allow the Secretary to make management adjustments to 
     account for the information provided in the annual report.

       (5) Terms and conditions.--
       (A) Preferred alternative.--If the Secretary determines 
     that an alternative considered under the program that 
     provides operational flexibility is the preferred 
     alternative, the Secretary shall--
       (i) incorporate the alternative, including applicable 
     monitoring plans adopted under paragraph (4), into the terms 
     and conditions of the applicable grazing permit or lease; and
       (ii) specify how the monitoring information with respect to 
     the preferred alternative should be used to inform management 
     adjustments under the program.
       (B) Adjustments.--Before implementing any measure for 
     purposes of operational flexibility with respect to a grazing 
     use authorized under the terms and conditions of a permit or 
     lease with respect to which an alternative has been 
     incorporated under subparagraph (A), the grazing permittee or 
     lessee shall notify the Secretary in writing of the proposed 
     adjustment.
       (C) Additional requirements.--The Secretary may include any 
     other requirements in a permit or lease with respect to which 
     an alternative has been incorporated under subparagraph (A) 
     that the Secretary determines to be necessary.
       (c) Review; Termination.--
       (1) Review.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not earlier 
     than the date that is 8 years after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a review of the program 
     to determine whether the objectives of the program are being 
     met.
       (B) No effect on program permits and leases.--The review of 
     the program under subparagraph (A) shall not affect the 
     existence, renewal, or termination of a grazing permit or 
     lease entered into under the program.
       (2) Termination.--If, based on the review conducted under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary determines that the objectives 
     of the program are not being met, the Secretary shall, on the 
     date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this 
     Act--
       (A) modify the program in a manner to ensure that the 
     objectives of the program would be met; or
       (B) terminate the program.
       (d) No Effect on Grazing Privileges.--Nothing in this Act--
       (1) affects grazing privileges provided under the Act of 
     June 28, 1934 (commonly known as the ``Taylor Grazing Act''; 
     43 U.S.C. 315 et seq.);
       (2) requires the Secretary to consider modifying or 
     terminating the classification of any existing grazing 
     district on the Federal land in any subsequent plan or 
     decision of the Secretary; or
       (3) precludes the Secretary from modifying or terminating 
     an existing permit or lease in accordance with applicable law 
     (including regulations).

     SEC. 4. MALHEUR C.E.O. GROUP.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Consensus.--The term ``consensus'' means a unanimous 
     agreement by the voting members of the Malheur C.E.O. Group 
     present and constituting a quorum at a regularly scheduled 
     business meeting of the Malheur C.E.O. Group.
       (2) Federal agency.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``Federal agency'' means an 
     agency or department of the Government of the United States.
       (B) Inclusions.--The term ``Federal agency'' includes--
       (i) the Bureau of Reclamation;
       (ii) the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
       (iii) the Bureau;
       (iv) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and
       (v) the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
       (3) Quorum.--The term ``quorum'' means 1 more than \1/2\ of 
     the voting members of the Malheur C.E.O. Group.
       (b) Establishment.--There is established the Malheur C.E.O. 
     Group to assist in carrying out this section.
       (c) Membership.--
       (1) In general.--The Malheur C.E.O. Group shall consist of 
     18 members, to be appointed in accordance with paragraph (2), 
     including--
       (A) 5 voting members who represent private interests, of 
     whom--
       (i) 3 members represent livestock grazing interests, of 
     whom--

       (I) 1 member resides in the northern \1/3\ of the County;
       (II) 1 member resides in the center \1/3\ of the County; 
     and
       (III) 1 member resides in the southern \1/3\ of the County;

       (ii) 1 member is in the recreation or tourism industry; and
       (iii) 1 member is from an applicable irrigation district;
       (B) 2 voting members who represent the environmental 
     community, 1 of whom is based in the County;
       (C) 1 voting member who represents the hunting or fishing 
     community;
       (D) 2 voting members who are representatives of Indian 
     Tribes, of whom--
       (i) 1 member shall be a representative of the Burns Paiute 
     Tribe; and
       (ii) 1 member shall be a representative of the Fort 
     McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribes;
       (E) 2 nonvoting members who are representatives of Federal 
     agencies with authority and responsibility in the County and 
     who shall provide technical assistance, 1 of whom shall 
     represent the Bureau;
       (F) 2 nonvoting members who are representatives of State 
     agencies with authority and responsibility in the County and 
     who shall provide technical assistance, of whom--
       (i) 1 member shall be from the State Department of Fish and 
     Wildlife; and
       (ii) 1 member shall be from the State Parks Department; and
       (G) 4 nonvoting members who are representatives of units of 
     local government within the County and who shall provide 
     technical assistance, 1 of whom shall be from the County 
     weeds eradication department.
       (2) Appointment; term; vacancy.--
       (A) Appointment.--
       (i) Governmental agencies.--A member of the Malheur C.E.O. 
     Group representing a Federal agency or State or local agency 
     shall be appointed by the head of the applicable agency.
       (ii) Private interests.--A member of the Malheur C.E.O. 
     Group representing private interests shall be appointed by 
     the applicable represented groups.

[[Page S7294]]

       (B) Term.--A member of the Malheur C.E.O. Group shall serve 
     for a term of 3 years.
       (C) Vacancy.--A vacancy on the Malheur C.E.O. Group shall 
     be filled in the manner described in subparagraph (A).
       (d) Projects.--
       (1) In general.--The Malheur C.E.O. Group shall propose 
     eligible projects described in paragraph (2) on Federal land 
     and water and non-Federal land and water in the County to be 
     carried out by the Malheur C.E.O. Group or a third party, 
     using funds provided by the Malheur C.E.O. Group, if a 
     consensus of the Malheur C.E.O. Group approves the proposed 
     eligible project.
       (2) Description of eligible projects.--An eligible project 
     referred to in paragraph (1) is a project--
       (A) that complies with existing law (including 
     regulations); and
       (B) relating to--
       (i) ecological restoration, including development, 
     planning, and implementation;
       (ii) range improvements for the purpose of providing more 
     efficient and effective ecologically beneficial management of 
     domestic livestock, fish, wildlife, or habitat;
       (iii) invasive species management or eradication, including 
     invasive weeds, vegetation, fish, or wildlife;
       (iv) restoration of springs and related water 
     infrastructure to enhance the availability of sustainable 
     flows of freshwater for livestock, fish, or wildlife;
       (v) conservation of cultural sites;
       (vi) economic development or recreation management; or
       (vii) research, monitoring, or analysis.
       (3) Requirement.--
       (A) In general.--In the case of an eligible project 
     proposed under paragraph (1) that is to be carried out on 
     Federal land or requires the use of Federal funds, the 
     project may not be carried out without the approval of the 
     head of the applicable Federal agency.
       (B) Failure to approve.--If an eligible project described 
     in subparagraph (A) is not approved by the head of the 
     applicable Federal agency, not later than 14 business after 
     the date on which the proposal is submitted to the head of 
     the applicable Federal agency, the head of the Federal agency 
     shall provide to the Malheur C.E.O. Group in writing a 
     description of the reasons for not approving the proposed 
     eligible project.
       (4) Failure to approve by consensus.--If an eligible 
     project proposed under paragraph (1) is not agreed to by 
     consensus after 3 votes are conducted by the Malheur C.E.O. 
     Group, the proposed eligible project may be agreed to by a 
     quorum of the members of the Malheur C.E.O. Group, subject to 
     the limitations that--
       (A) the eligible project may not be carried out on Federal 
     land; and
       (B) no Federal funds may be used for an eligible project 
     that is agreed to in accordance with this paragraph.
       (5) Acceptance of donations.--The Malheur C.E.O. Group 
     may--
       (A) accept and place into a trust fund any donations, 
     grants, or other funds received by the Malheur C.E.O. Group; 
     and
       (B) use amounts placed into a trust fund under paragraph 
     (1) to carry out eligible projects approved in accordance 
     with this section, including eligible projects carried out on 
     Federal land or water or using Federal funds, if the project 
     is approved by the head of the applicable Federal agency.
       (6) Cost-sharing requirement.--
       (A) In general.--The Federal share of the total cost of an 
     eligible project carried out using amounts made available 
     under subsection (i) shall be not more than 75 percent.
       (B) Form of non-federal contribution.--The non-Federal 
     contribution required under subparagraph (A) may be provided 
     in the form of in-kind contributions.
       (7) Funding recommendations.--All funding recommendations 
     developed by the Malheur C.E.O. Group shall be based on a 
     consensus of the Malheur C.E.O. Group members.
       (e) Technical Assistance.--Any Federal agency with 
     authority and responsibility in the County shall, to the 
     extent practicable, provide technical assistance to the 
     Malheur C.E.O. Group on request of the Malheur C.E.O. Group.
       (f) Public Notice and Participation.--The Malheur C.E.O. 
     Group shall conduct all meetings subject to applicable open 
     meeting and public participation laws.
       (g) Priorities.--For purposes of approving eligible 
     projects proposed under subsection (d)(1), the Malheur C.E.O. 
     Group shall give priority to voluntary habitat, range, and 
     ecosystem restoration projects focused on improving the long-
     term ecological health of the Federal land and natural bodies 
     of water.
       (h) Additional Projects.--To the extent permitted by 
     applicable law and subject to the availability of 
     appropriations, Federal agencies may contribute to the 
     implementation of projects recommended by the Malheur C.E.O. 
     Group and approved by the Secretary.
       (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each 
     of fiscal years 2024 through 2034.
       (2) Maintenance and distribution.--Amounts made available 
     under paragraph (1) shall be maintained and distributed by 
     the Secretary.
       (3) Administrative expenses.--Not more than more than 5 
     percent of amounts made available under paragraph (1) for a 
     fiscal year may be used for the administration of this Act.
       (4) Grants.--Of the amounts made available under paragraph 
     (1), not more than 10 percent may be made available for a 
     fiscal year to provide grants to the Malheur C.E.O. Group.
       (j) Effect.--
       (1) Existing activities.--The activities of the Malheur 
     C.E.O. Group shall supplement, and not replace, existing 
     activities to manage the natural resources of the County.
       (2) Legal rights, duties, or authorities.--Nothing in this 
     section affects any legal right, duty, or authority of any 
     person or Federal agency, including any member of the Malheur 
     C.E.O. Group.

     SEC. 5. LAND DESIGNATIONS.

       (a) Definition of Wilderness Area.--In this section, the 
     term ``wilderness area'' means a wilderness area designated 
     by subsection (b)(1).
       (b) Designation of Wilderness Areas.--
       (1) In general.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 
     U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following Federal land in the 
     County comprising approximately 1,102,393 acres, as generally 
     depicted on the referenced maps, is designated as wilderness 
     and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation 
     System:
       (A) Fifteenmile creek wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 61,647 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Trout Creek-Oregon 
     Canyon Group'' and dated December 12, 2023, which shall be 
     known as the ``Fifteenmile Creek Wilderness''.
       (B) Oregon canyon mountains wilderness.--Certain Federal 
     land, comprising approximately 53,559 acres, as generally 
     depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Trout 
     Creek-Oregon Canyon Group'' and dated December 12, 2023, 
     which shall be known as the ``Oregon Canyon Mountains 
     Wilderness''.
       (C) Twelvemile creek wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 38,099 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Trout Creek-Oregon 
     Canyon Group'' and dated December 12, 2023, which shall be 
     known as the ``Twelvemile Creek Wilderness''.
       (D) Upper west little owyhee wilderness.--Certain Federal 
     land, comprising approximately 93,199 acres, as generally 
     depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Upper 
     Owyhee'' and dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as 
     the ``Upper West Little Owyhee Wilderness''.
       (E) Lookout butte wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 66,242 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Upper Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the 
     ``Lookout Butte Wilderness''.
       (F) Mary gautreaux owyhee river canyon wilderness.--Certain 
     Federal land, comprising approximately 211,679 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness 
     Upper Owyhee'' and dated December 12, 2023, which shall be 
     known as the ``Mary Gautreaux Owyhee River Canyon 
     Wilderness''.
       (G) Black butte wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 12,058 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Upper Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Black 
     Butte Wilderness''.
       (H) Twin butte wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 18,150 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Upper Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Twin 
     Butte Wilderness''.
       (I) Oregon butte wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 31,934 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Upper Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Oregon 
     Butte Wilderness''.
       (J) Mahogany butte wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 8,953 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Upper Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the 
     ``Mahogany Butte Wilderness''.
       (K) Deer flat wilderness.--Certain Federal land, comprising 
     approximately 12,250 acres, as generally depicted on the map 
     entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Upper Owyhee'' and dated 
     December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Deer Flat 
     Wilderness''.
       (L) Sacramento hill wilderness.--Certain Federal, 
     comprising approximately 9,574 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Upper Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the 
     ``Sacramento Hill Wilderness''.
       (M) Deadman butte wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 7,152 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Upper Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the 
     ``Deadman Butte Wilderness''.
       (N) Big grassey wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 44,238 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Upper Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Big 
     Grassey Wilderness''.
       (O) North fork owyhee wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 5,276 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Upper Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``North 
     Fork Owyhee Wilderness''.
       (P) Mary gautreaux lower owyhee canyon wilderness.--Certain 
     Federal land, comprising approximately 77,121 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness 
     Lower Owyhee'' and dated December 12, 2023, which shall be 
     known as the ``Mary Gautreaux Lower Owyhee Canyon 
     Wilderness''.
       (Q) Jordan craters wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 29,255 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Lower Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Jordan 
     Craters Wilderness''.
       (R) Owyhee breaks wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 31,637

[[Page S7295]]

     acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed 
     Wilderness Lower Owyhee'' and dated December 12, 2023, which 
     shall be known as the ``Owyhee Breaks Wilderness''.
       (S) Dry creek wilderness.--Certain Federal land, comprising 
     approximately 33,209 acres, as generally depicted on the map 
     entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Lower Owyhee'' and dated 
     December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Dry Creek 
     Wilderness''.
       (T) Dry creek buttes wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 88,289 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Lower Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Dry 
     Creek Buttes Wilderness''.
       (U) Upper leslie gulch wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 2,997 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Lower Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Upper 
     Leslie Gulch Wilderness''.
       (V) Slocum creek wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 7,534 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Lower Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Slocum 
     Creek Wilderness''.
       (W) Honeycombs wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 41,122 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Lower Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the 
     ``Honeycombs Wilderness''.
       (X) Wild horse basin wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 18,402 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Lower Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Wild 
     Horse Basin Wilderness''.
       (Y) Quartz mountain wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 32,943 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Lower Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Quartz 
     Mountain Wilderness''.
       (Z) The tongue wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 5,909 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Lower Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as ``The Tongue 
     Wilderness''.
       (AA) Three fingers rock north wilderness.--Certain Federal 
     land, comprising approximately 12,462 acres, as generally 
     depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Lower 
     Owyhee'' and dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as 
     the ``Three Fingers Rock North Wilderness''.
       (BB) Burnt mountain wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 8,115 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Lower Owyhee'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Burnt 
     Mountain Wilderness''.
       (CC) Camp creek wilderness.--Certain Federal land, 
     comprising approximately 72,597 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Camp Creek Group'' 
     and dated December 12, 2023, which shall be known as the 
     ``Camp Creek Wilderness''.
       (2) Maps and legal descriptions.--
       (A) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare a map and 
     legal description of each wilderness area.
       (B) Effect.--Each map and legal description prepared under 
     subparagraph (A) shall have the same force and effect as if 
     included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct 
     clerical and typographical errors in the map or legal 
     description.
       (C) Public availability.--The maps and legal descriptions 
     prepared under subparagraph (A) shall be on file and 
     available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of 
     the Bureau.
       (3) Management.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights, the 
     wilderness areas shall be administered by the Secretary in 
     accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), 
     except that--
       (i) 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
       (ii) any reference in that Act to the Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall be considered to be a reference to the 
     Secretary.
       (B) Grazing.--The Secretary shall allow the continuation of 
     the grazing of livestock, in the wilderness areas, if 
     established before the date of enactment of this Act, in 
     accordance with--
       (i) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1133(d)(4)); and
       (ii) the guidelines set forth in Appendix A of the report 
     of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House 
     of Representatives accompanying H.R. 2570 of the 101st 
     Congress (H. Rept. 101-405).
       (C) Roads adjacent to wilderness areas.--Nothing in this 
     Act requires the closure of any adjacent road outside the 
     boundary of a wilderness area.
       (D) Fish and wildlife management activities.--
       (i) In general.--In furtherance of the purposes and 
     principles of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), 
     the Secretary may conduct any management activities that are 
     necessary to maintain or restore fish and wildlife 
     populations and habitats in the wilderness areas, if the 
     management activities are--

       (I) consistent with applicable wilderness management plans; 
     and
       (II) conducted in accordance with appropriate policies, 
     such as the policies established in Appendix B of the report 
     of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House 
     of Representatives accompanying H.R. 2570 of the 101st 
     Congress (House Report 101-405).

       (ii) Inclusions.--Management activities under clause (i) 
     may include the occasional and temporary use of motorized 
     vehicles, if the use, as determined by the Secretary, would 
     promote healthy, viable, and more naturally distributed 
     wildlife populations that would enhance wilderness values 
     while causing the minimum impact necessary to accomplish 
     those tasks.
       (E) Existing activities.--Consistent with section 4(d)(1) 
     of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)) and in 
     accordance with appropriate policies, such as the policies 
     established in Appendix B of the report of the Committee on 
     Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives 
     accompanying H.R. 2570 of the 101st Congress (House Report 
     101-405), the State may use aircraft (including helicopters) 
     in the wilderness areas to survey capture, transplant, 
     monitor, and provide water for wildlife populations, 
     including bighorn sheep and feral stock, feral horses, and 
     feral burros.
       (c) Management of Land Not Designated as Wilderness.--
       (1) 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)), the Clarks Butte Wilderness Study Area, 
     Saddle Butte Wilderness Study Area, and Bowden Hills 
     Wilderness Study Area have been adequately studied for 
     wilderness designation.
       (B) Release.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the land 
     described in subparagraph (A)--
       (i) 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
       (ii) shall be managed in accordance with the Federal Land 
     Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), 
     including any applicable land use plan adopted under section 
     202 of that Act (43 U.S.C. 1712).
       (2) Management of certain land with wilderness 
     characteristics.--Any portion of the Federal land that was 
     previously determined by the Secretary to be land with 
     wilderness characteristics that is not designated as 
     wilderness by subsection (b)(1) and is not designated on the 
     Map as ``land with wilderness characteristics'' shall be 
     managed by the Secretary in accordance with the applicable 
     land use plans adopted under section 202 of the Federal Land 
     Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712).

     SEC. 6. LAND CONVEYANCES TO BURNS PAIUTE TRIBE AND CASTLE 
                   ROCK CO-STEWARDSHIP AREA.

       (a) Jonesboro Ranch, Road Gulch, and Black Canyon Land 
     Conveyances.--
       (1) Conveyance and taking into trust.--
       (A) Title.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall accept title to 
     the land described in paragraph (2), if conveyed or otherwise 
     transferred to the United States by, or on behalf of, the 
     Burns Paiute Tribe.
       (B) Trust.--Land to which title is accepted by the 
     Secretary under subparagraph (A) shall--
       (i) be held in trust by the United States for the benefit 
     of the Burns Paiute Tribe; and
       (ii) be part of the reservation of the Burns Paiute Tribe.
       (2) Description of land.--The land referred to in paragraph 
     (1)(A) is the following:
       (A) Jonesboro ranch.--The parcel commonly known as 
     ``Jonesboro Ranch'', located approximately 6 miles east of 
     Juntura, Oregon, consisting of 21,548 acres of Federal land, 
     6,686 acres of certain private land owned by the Burns Paiute 
     Tribe and associated with the Jonesboro Ranch containing the 
     pastures referred to as ``Saddle Horse'' and ``Trail Horse'', 
     ``Indian Creek'', ``Sperry Creek'', ``Antelope Swales'', 
     ``Horse Camp'', ``Dinner Creek'', ``Upper Hunter Creek'', and 
     ``Tim's Peak'', generally depicted as ``Jonesboro Parcels 
     (Transfer)'' on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness Camp 
     Creek Group'' and dated December 12, 2023, and more 
     particularly described as follows:
       (i) T. 20 S., R. 38 E., secs. 25 and 36, Willamette 
     Meridian.
       (ii) T. 20 S., R. 39 E., secs. 25-36, Willamette Meridian.
       (iii) T. 20 S., R. 40 E., secs. 30, 31, and 32, Willamette 
     Meridian.
       (iv) T. 21 S., R. 39 E., secs. 1-18, 20-29, and 32-36, 
     Willamette Meridian.
       (v) T. 21 S., R. 40 E., secs. 5-8, 17-19, 30, and 31, 
     Willamette Meridian.
       (vi) T. 22 S., R. 39 E., secs. 1-5, 8, and 9, Willamette 
     Meridian.
       (B) Road gulch; black canyon.--The approximately 4,137 
     acres of State land containing the pastures referred to as 
     ``Road Gulch'' and ``Black Canyon'' and more particularly 
     described as follows:
       (i) T. 20 S., R. 39 E., secs. 10, 11, 15, 14, 13, 21-28, 
     and 36, Willamette Meridian.
       (ii) T 20 S., R. 40 E., secs. 19, 30, 31, and 32, 
     Willamette Meridian.
       (3) Applicable law.--Land taken into trust under paragraph 
     (1)(B) shall be administered in accordance with the laws 
     (including regulations) generally applicable to property held 
     in trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian 
     Tribe.
       (4) Map of trust land.--As soon as practicable after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare a 
     map depicting the land taken into trust under paragraph 
     (1)(B).
       (5) Land exchange.--Not later than 3 years after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter 
     into an agreement with the State under which the Secretary 
     would exchange Federal land for the portions of the area 
     described in paragraph (2)(B) that are owned by the State.
       (b) Castle Rock Land To Be Held in Trust and Co-stewardship 
     Area.--
       (1) Land to be held in trust.--All right, title, and 
     interest of the United States in and to the approximately 
     2,500 acres of land in the Castle Rock Wilderness Study Area, 
     as depicted

[[Page S7296]]

     as ``Lands to be Taken into Trust'' on the map entitled 
     ``Land into Trust and Co-Stewardship Castle Rock Group'' and 
     dated December 12, 2023, shall--
       (A) be held in trust by the United States for the benefit 
     of the Burns Paiute Tribe; and
       (B) be part of the reservation of the Burns Paiute Tribe.
       (2) Castle rock co-stewardship area.--
       (A) Memorandum of understanding.--
       (i) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter into 
     a memorandum of understanding with the Burns Paiute Tribe to 
     provide for the co-stewardship of the area depicted as 
     ``Tribal Co-Stewardship Area'' on the map entitled ``Land 
     into Trust and Co-Stewardship Castle Rock Group'' and dated 
     December 12, 2023, to be known as the ``Castle Rock Co-
     Stewardship Area''.
       (ii) Requirement.--The memorandum of understanding entered 
     into under clause (i) shall ensure that the Castle Rock Co-
     Stewardship Area is managed in a manner that--

       (I) ensures that Tribal interests are adequately 
     considered;
       (II) provides for maximum protection of cultural and 
     archaeological resources; and
       (III) provides for the protection of natural resources with 
     cultural significance.

       (B) Management agreements.--In accordance with applicable 
     law (including regulations), the Secretary may enter into 1 
     or more management agreements with the Burns Paiute Tribe to 
     authorize the Burns Paiute Tribe to carry out management 
     activities in the Castle Rock Co-Stewardship Area in 
     accordance with the memorandum of understanding entered into 
     under subparagraph (A)(i).
       (C) Grazing.--The grazing of livestock in the Castle Rock 
     Co-Stewardship Area, if established before the date of 
     enactment of this Act, shall be permitted to continue in 
     accordance with applicable law (including regulations).
       (D) Water rights.--Nothing in this paragraph--
       (i) affects any valid and existing water rights; or
       (ii) provides the Burns Paiute Tribe with any new water 
     right or claim.
       (3) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the land 
     taken into trust under paragraph (1) and the land comprising 
     the Castle Rock Co-Stewardship Area are withdrawn from--
       (A) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under 
     the public land laws;
       (B) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
       (C) operation of the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing 
     laws and mineral materials laws.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section 
     $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
       (d) Effect on Tribal Rights and Certain Existing Uses.--
     Nothing in this section, including any designation or 
     nondesignation of land transferred into trust to be held by 
     the United States for the benefit of the Burns Paiute Tribe 
     under this section--
       (1) alters, modifies, enlarges, diminishes, or abrogates 
     rights secured by a treaty, statute, Executive order, or 
     other Federal law of any Indian Tribe, including off-
     reservation reserved rights; or
       (2) affects--
       (A) existing rights-of-way; or
       (B) preexisting grazing uses and existing water rights or 
     mining claims, except as specifically negotiated between any 
     applicable Indian Tribe and the Secretary.

  Mr. BARRASSO. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported 
substitute amendments be considered and agreed to and that the bills, 
as amended, be considered read a third time en bloc.
  The committee-reported amendments in the nature of a substitute were 
agreed to en bloc.
  The bills were ordered to be engrossed for a third reading and were 
read the third time.
  Mr. BARRASSO. I know of no further debate on the bills, en bloc.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate on the bills, 
the bills having been read the third time, the question is, Shall the 
bills pass?
  The bills (S. 1348 and S. 1890), as amended, were passed en bloc.
  Mr. BARRASSO. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported 
title amendment to S. 1890 be considered and agreed to; that the title 
of S. 1890, as amended, be agreed to; and that the motions to 
reconsider with respect to S. 1348 and S. 1890 be considered made and 
laid upon the table, all en bloc.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The committee-reported title amendment to S. 1890 was agreed to as 
follows:
1Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to provide for the 
    establishment of a land health management program on Federal land 
    in Malheur County, Oregon, and for other purposes.''.

  The title of S. 1890, as amended, was agreed to.
  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I want to rise just to spend a couple of 
moments discussing a bill that we just passed. It is the Wyoming Public 
Lands Initiative. The Senate passed this by unanimous consent.
  This legislation is very important to my home State of Wyoming--
something we have been working on for years. The bill would resolve the 
management status for thousands of acres of Federal public lands across 
7 counties of the 23 counties in my home State of Wyoming.
  These acres involve what are known as wilderness study areas. These 
are lands managed solely for preservation, even though they are not 
included in the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Bureau of 
Land Management studies these areas. They study them to determine 
whether they should be designated as wilderness lands or if these lands 
should be returned to multiple-use status.
  Until Congress acts, the Bureau treats all of the land as if it is 
wilderness. In other words, these lands currently under study are 
closed off to almost every use. For the people of Wyoming who rely on 
access to the land to make a living and for recreation, this just 
doesn't work.
  In 1991--now, here we are in 2024, but in 1991, the Bureau of Land 
Management released a report recommending a balanced approach for these 
Wyoming wilderness study areas. Specifically, the Bureau of Land 
Management recommended that Congress designate some of the lands as 
wilderness and release the majority of the lands back to multiple use.
  Well, here we are over three decades later, and the lands still 
remain in limbo. That is why some of our counties began to work with me 
on the Wyoming Public Lands Initiative. I want to thank these Wyoming 
county commissioners for their collaboration going back 9 years, back 
to 2015.
  The bill, which I am proud to sponsor on their behalf, generally 
follows the recommendations of the 1991 report. It strikes a balance 
between protecting these special places the people in Wyoming love 
while expanding the multiple-use areas that our State and local 
economies rely upon.
  The bill was developed by the people who live near the land and who 
will be accessing the land when this bill is enacted. It has been 
developed really from the ground up by the people who know the land the 
best.
  This legislation resolves a decades-old stalemate. The bill is going 
to increase conservation. It is going to ensure that other lands can be 
unlocked and for uses that are important to the people of Wyoming and 
to our economy. I firmly believe the people of Wyoming, not Washington, 
should decide how to manage these lands.
  So I want to thank my friend and colleague Senator Wyden from the 
State of Oregon. We worked closely together. We serve on several 
committees together. We live near each other where we stay when we are 
in Washington instead of when he is home in Oregon and I am home in 
Wyoming. I look forward to continuing to work with him to get these 
bills passed into law and through the House in the near future.
  As I see my friend and colleague from Oregon on the floor tonight, I 
just want to thank him for his years of cooperation and working 
together as we have on the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
and thank him for all of his consideration in allowing us to get this 
bill passed tonight.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oregon.
  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, this is a truly historic moment for my home 
State of Oregon because the Owyhees, which are really Oregon's version 
of the Grand Canyon, really should have had secured protection years 
ago. But, finally, as a result of the bipartisan support that my friend 
from Wyoming and I have--working with the incoming chair of the 
committee Mike Lee, and the current leadership, we have been able to 
pass these important pieces of legislation.
  The timing for my home State is really just extraordinary because 
just yesterday, the Congressman from rural Oregon, Congressman Bentz 
from the Second District, and I put out a joint statement about how 
next year we intend to work together and with our constituents to come 
up with legislation that our whole State--urban and

[[Page S7297]]

rural--could come together on to protect the ranching way of life in 
Malheur County and also our incredible treasures.
  Congressman Bentz and I said we would work with our representative 
Chambers' leadership to pass the bill into law. Then, overnight, and to 
the great excitement of people in our State, due to the ending hours of 
Congress, when Members are trying to find some common ground, we have 
been able to work with our leadership in the U.S. Senate today, in this 
Chamber, to get started on what Congressman Bentz and I told our 
constituents yesterday would happen next year.
  This did not happen by osmosis. The incoming ranking Senator, Martin 
Heinrich, and the incoming chair, Mike Lee, said that my bill, which 
cleared the Energy and Natural Resources Committee--S. 1890, the 
Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act--that they would allow 
it to pass the U.S. Senate tonight as an indication of the goodwill 
that all parties have pledged for next year.
  As the chairman of the committee has noted--in fact, all the chairs, 
past and present since I was the chairman of the Energy and Natural 
Resources Committee at one point, understand that that is the key to 
really making some history in this extraordinarily important committee.
  In our conversations with the incoming chairman, Mike Lee, he was 
particularly interested in the fact that Congressman Bentz and I are 
going to be working together to get this bill in shape so that people 
across Oregon will support it.
  When he indicated that that was a priority for him, I basically said 
that is exactly what we have in mind as Oregonians, what I have in mind 
as Oregon's senior Senator.
  I am very happy to state tonight publicly to the incoming chair of 
the committee, the Senator from Utah, that I intend to work very 
closely with Congressman Bentz to make this become law.
  So, everybody in Oregon understands, this bill does not become law 
tonight, but what its passage does is send a message from the U.S. 
Senate that when you get people of goodwill and a willingness to find 
common ground, you can make real action happen. The Owyhee legislation 
that I have worked on for years with ranchers and hunters and fishers 
and environmental folks has now passed the U.S. Senate. That is 
something that, after decades of debate about the future of the Owyhee, 
nobody thought was going to happen anytime soon. In fact, yesterday 
people said: Well, we will have to wait to see what happens. Now the 
U.S. Senate has acted and acted, as I say, to protect the ranching way 
of life in rural Oregon and also our natural treasures.
  I hope that tonight's action will give all parties interested in the 
protection of the treasures of the Owyhee and interest in preserving 
the ranching way of life, that it should give folks at home the chance 
to know that we are going to be in a position in 2025, with the 
leadership of the Senate and the House behind this effort, to be in a 
position to make this important legislation the law of the land, and 
the protection for the Owyhees will be permanent and will be in the 
text of black-letter law for all to see.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Virginia.

                          ____________________