[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2548 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 217
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2548
To designate the Camp Hutchins Wilderness and establish Special
Management Areas in the Shawnee National Forest in the State of
Illinois, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 30, 2025
Mr. Durbin (for himself and Ms. Duckworth) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
October 27, 2025
Reported by Mr. Boozman, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To designate the Camp Hutchins Wilderness and establish Special
Management Areas in the Shawnee National Forest in the State of
Illinois, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Shawnee National Forest
Conservation Act of 2025''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Designated natural area.--The term
``designated natural area'' means an area determined to be of
exceptional ecological, botanical, geologic, scenic, or
archeological value by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the Secretary; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B)(i) the State of Illinois; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> (ii) the Secretary of the Interior, acting
through the Director of the National Park
Service.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Designated research natural area.--The term
``designated research natural area'' means an area that has
been selected by the Secretary, and is managed by the Forest
Service, for scientific research value.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map prepared
by the Environmental Law and Policy Center entitled ``Camp
Hutchins Wilderness Area and Special Management Area'' and
dated November 23, 2023.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the
Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the
Forest Service.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Special management area.--The term ``Special
Management Area'' means a Special Management Area established
by section 4(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. CAMP HUTCHINS WILDERNESS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Addition to the National Wilderness Preservation
System.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et
seq.), certain land in the Shawnee National Forest in the State of
Illinois managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 750
acres and generally depicted on the Map as ``Camp Hutchins Wilderness
Area--Proposed'', is designated as wilderness and as a component of the
National Wilderness Preservation System, and shall be known as the
``Camp Hutchins Wilderness''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Management.--Subject to valid existing rights, the
Camp Hutchins Wilderness shall be administered by the Secretary in
accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except
that any reference in that Act to the effective date shall be
considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this
Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Hiking Trail.--Forest Road 211 shall be closed to
public vehicular traffic and shall be maintained as a hiking trail,
including the eastern extension of Forest Road 211 formerly known as
the ``Hutchins Creek Spur'' up to the area known as ``Hutchins Creek
Corridor'', as generally depicted on the Map.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, all
Federal land within the Camp Hutchins Wilderness, including any land or
interest in land that is acquired by the United States within the Camp
Hutchins Wilderness after the date of enactment of this Act, is
withdrawn from--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the
public land laws;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining
laws; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral
materials, and geothermal leasing laws.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Map and Legal Description.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map
and legal description of the Camp Hutchins Wilderness with--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Effect.--The map and legal description filed
under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if
included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct
clerical and typographical errors in the map and legal
description.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Availability.--The map and legal description
filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for
public inspection in the appropriate office of the Secretary
and on the Forest Service website.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Establishment.--Subject to valid existing rights, the
following Special Management Areas within the Shawnee National Forest
in the State of Illinois are established:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Camp hutchins special management area.--
Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising
approximately 2,953 acres and generally depicted on the Map as
``Camp Hutchins Special Management Area--Proposed'', which
shall be known as the ``Camp Hutchins Special Management
Area''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Ripple hollow special management area.--
Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising
approximately 3,445 acres and generally depicted as ``Ripple
Hollow Special Management Area--Proposed'' on the map prepared
by the Environmental Law and Policy Center entitled ``Ripple
Hollow Special Management Area'' and dated November 23, 2023,
which shall be known as the ``Ripple Hollow Special Management
Area''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Burke branch special management area.--Certain
Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising
approximately 6,310 acres and generally depicted as ``Burke
Branch Special Management Area--Proposed'', on the map prepared
by the Environmental Law and Policy Center entitled ``Burke
Branch Special Management Area'' and dated November 23, 2023,
which shall be known as the ``Burke Branch Special Management
Area''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Special Management
Areas are--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) to conserve, protect, and enhance the
ecological, scenic, wildlife, recreational, cultural, historic,
educational, and scientific resources of the Special Management
Areas for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future
generations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) to promote biodiversity and control invasive
species; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) to allow for the continuation of restoration
efforts and scientific study of the designated natural areas
and designated research natural areas within the Special
Management Areas.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION OF SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer the
Special Management Areas--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in a manner that conserves, protects, and
enhances the purposes for which the Special Management Areas
are established; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) in accordance with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) this section; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) other applicable laws.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Management Plan.--Not later than 3 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a
comprehensive management plan for the long-term protection and
management of the Special Management Areas.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Uses.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Secretary shall allow only
uses of the Special Management Areas that are consistent with
the purposes for which the Special Management Areas are
established.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Prescribed fire.--The Secretary may use
prescribed fire to sustain the ecological structure and
composition of the Special Management Areas to sustain the
biodiversity of the Special Management Areas.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Management tools.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--The Secretary may use
herbicides, insecticides, and mechanized equipment in
the control of fire, insects, disease, and invasive
species, including the use of chainsaws, drones,
aircraft, pickup trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and
rubber and tracked vehicles to carry out management of
the Special Management Areas approved by the
Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Requirement.--In carrying out
management of the Special Management Areas, the
Secretary shall use the best available technology and
science.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Motorized vehicles.--Except in cases in which
motorized vehicles are needed for administrative purposes,
emergency response, or access on established roads accessing
trailheads, or are essential to provide off-road access for
ecosystem management of habitat, the use of motor vehicles in
the Special Management Areas shall be prohibited.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (5) Roads.--The Secretary shall decommission and
remove roads within the Special Management Areas, except roads
needed for management or access to trailheads, as soon as
practicable.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (6) Timber.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Commercial timber
harvesting, except as needed for fire, insect, and
disease control, and for visitor and administrative
safety, in the Special Management Areas shall be
prohibited.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Activities permitted.--Thinning of
trees and other vegetation in the Special Management
Areas shall be permitted for restoration of the
designated natural areas and designated research
natural areas and to further the management objectives
described in this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (7) Inholdings.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) In general.--Access to private
inholdings in the Special Management Areas shall be
preserved.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Acquisitions.--The Secretary shall
acquire any private inholdings in the Special
Management Areas by purchase or exchange as soon as
feasible.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (8) Hunting and trapping.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Hunting.--Hunting shall be permitted
in the Special Management Areas as permitted by the
State of Illinois and in accordance with regulations of
the State of Illinois and regulations of the Forest
Service.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Trapping.--Trapping shall not be
permitted in the Special Management Areas.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) Access by motorized vehicles.--Access
within the Special Management Areas by hunters in
motorized vehicles shall be prohibited.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (9) Volunteer restoration and research.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) Volunteers.--The Secretary shall allow
organized groups of volunteers to participate in
ecological restoration activities under the guidance of
Forest Service ecologists and botanists within the
Special Management Areas through cooperative
agreements.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) Access for research purposes.--The
Secretary shall allow access to the Special Management
Areas for scientific research by qualified individuals
and organizations, as determined by the
Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (10) Ongoing management decisions.--The Supervisor
of the Shawnee National Forest shall have the authority,
without requiring the permission of the Secretary, to make
management decisions concerning any designated natural area or
designated research natural area within the Special Management
Areas pursuant to the land and resource management plan for the
Shawnee National Forest.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, all
Federal land within the Special Management Areas, including any land or
interest in land that is acquired by the United States within the
Special Management Areas after the date of enactment of this Act, is
withdrawn from--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the
public land laws;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining
laws; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral
materials, and geothermal leasing laws.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map
and legal description of each Special Management Area with--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) the Committee on Natural Resources of
the House of Representatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Effect.--The maps and legal descriptions filed
under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if
included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct
clerical and typographical errors in the maps and legal
descriptions.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Availability.--The maps and legal descriptions
filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for
public inspection in the appropriate office of the Secretary
and on the Forest Service website.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Public Information.--Annually, the Secretary shall
make publicly available on the website of the Shawnee National Forest
information describing the progress in achieving the management
objectives described in this section.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Shawnee National Forest Conservation
Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Designated natural area.--The term ``designated natural
area'' means an area determined to be of exceptional
ecological, botanical, geologic, scenic, or archeological value
by the Secretary.
(2) Designated research natural area.--The term
``designated research natural area'' means an area that has
been selected by the Secretary, and is managed by the Forest
Service, for scientific research value.
(3) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map prepared and
submitted by the Secretary under section 3(e)(1).
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
(5) Special management area.--The term ``Special Management
Area'' means a Special Management Area established by section
4(a).
SEC. 3. CAMP HUTCHINS WILDERNESS.
(a) Addition to the National Wilderness Preservation System.--In
accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), certain
land in the Shawnee National Forest in the State of Illinois managed by
the Forest Service, comprising approximately 750 acres and generally
depicted as ``Camp Hutchins Wilderness Area--Proposed'' on the map
prepared by the Environmental Law and Policy Center entitled ``Camp
Hutchins Wilderness Area and Special Management Area'' and dated
November 23, 2023, is designated as wilderness and as a component of
the National Wilderness Preservation System, and shall be known as the
``Camp Hutchins Wilderness''.
(b) Management.--Subject to valid existing rights, the Camp
Hutchins Wilderness shall be administered by the Secretary in
accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except
that any reference in that Act to the effective date shall be
considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Hiking Trail.--National Forest System Road 211 shall be closed
to public vehicular traffic and may be maintained as a hiking trail,
including the eastern extension of Forest Road 211 formerly known as
the ``Hutchins Creek Spur'' up to the area known as ``Hutchins Creek
Corridor'', as generally depicted on the Map.
(d) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land
within the Camp Hutchins Wilderness, including any land or interest in
land that is acquired by the United States within the Camp Hutchins
Wilderness after the date of enactment of this Act, is withdrawn from--
(1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under public land
law;
(2) location, entry, and patent under mining law; and
(3) operation of mineral leasing, mineral materials, and
geothermal leasing law.
(e) Map and Legal Description.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and legal
description of the Camp Hutchins Wilderness with--
(A) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Effect.--The Map and legal description filed under
paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if
included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct
clerical and typographical errors on the Map and in the legal
description.
(3) Availability.--The Map and legal description filed
under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public
inspection in the appropriate office of the Secretary and on
the website of the Forest Service.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS.
(a) Establishment.--Subject to valid existing rights, the following
Special Management Areas within the Shawnee National Forest in the
State of Illinois are established:
(1) Camp hutchins special management area.--Certain Federal
land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately
2,953 acres and generally depicted as ``Camp Hutchins Special
Management Area--Proposed'' on the map prepared by the
Environmental Law and Policy Center entitled ``Camp Hutchins
Wilderness Area and Special Management Area'' and dated
November 23, 2023, which shall be known as the ``Camp Hutchins
Special Management Area''.
(2) Ripple hollow special management area.--Certain Federal
land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately
3,445 acres and generally depicted as ``Ripple Hollow Special
Management Area--Proposed'' on the map prepared by the
Environmental Law and Policy Center entitled ``Ripple Hollow
Special Management Area'' and dated November 23, 2023, which
shall be known as the ``Ripple Hollow Special Management
Area''.
(3) Burke branch special management area.--Certain Federal
land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately
6,310 acres and generally depicted as ``Burke Branch Special
Management Area--Proposed'', on the map prepared by the
Environmental Law and Policy Center entitled ``Burke Branch
Special Management Area'' and dated November 23, 2023, which
shall be known as the ``Burke Branch Special Management Area''.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Special Management Areas are--
(1) to conserve, protect, and enhance the ecological,
scenic, wildlife, recreational, cultural, historic,
educational, and scientific resources of the Special Management
Areas for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future
generations;
(2) to promote biodiversity and control invasive species;
(3) to allow for the continuation of restoration efforts
and scientific study of the designated natural areas and
designated research natural areas within the Special Management
Areas; and
(4) to allow for public use and enjoyment of the Special
Management Areas.
SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION OF SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer the Special
Management Areas--
(1) in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the
purposes for which the Special Management Areas are
established; and
(2) in accordance with--
(A) this section; and
(B) other applicable law.
(b) Management Plan.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a management plan
for the long-term protection and management of the Special Management
Areas.
(c) Uses.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall allow only uses of the
Special Management Areas that are consistent with the purposes
for which the Special Management Areas are established.
(2) Prescribed fire.--The Secretary may use prescribed fire
to sustain the ecological structure and composition of the
Special Management Areas, to sustain the biodiversity of the
Special Management Areas, and to mitigate the risk of wildfire
in the Special Management Areas or nearby areas.
(3) Management tools.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary may use herbicides,
insecticides, and mechanized equipment, including
chainsaws, drones, unmanned aerial systems, aircraft,
pickup trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and rubber-tired
and tracked vehicles, to control fire, insects,
disease, and invasive species in managing the Special
Management Areas approved by the Secretary.
(B) Requirement.--In managing the Special
Management Areas, the Secretary shall use the best
available technology and science.
(4) Motor vehicles.--Except in cases in which motor
vehicles are needed for administrative purposes, emergency
response, or access on established roads accessing trailheads,
inholdings, cemeteries, or campgrounds, or are essential to
provide off-road access for ecosystem management of habitat,
the use of motor vehicles, including over-snow vehicles, in the
Special Management Areas shall be prohibited.
(5) Roads.--The Secretary shall decommission as soon as
practicable any National Forest System roads within the Special
Management Areas that are not needed for management or access
to trailheads, cemeteries, and inholdings.
(6) Timber.--
(A) In general.--Commercial timber harvesting in
the Special Management Areas, except as needed for
fire, insect, and disease control, and for visitor and
administrative safety, shall be prohibited.
(B) Activities permitted.--Thinning of trees and
other vegetation in the Special Management Areas is
permitted for restoration of the designated natural
areas and designated research natural areas and to
further the management objectives described in this
section.
(7) Inholdings.--
(A) In general.--Access to private inholdings in
the Special Management Areas shall be preserved.
(B) Acquisitions.--The Secretary shall acquire any
private inholdings in the Special Management Areas by
purchase or exchange from willing sellers as soon as
practicable.
(8) Hunting and trapping.--
(A) Hunting.--Hunting shall be permitted in the
Special Management Areas as permitted by the State of
Illinois and in accordance with regulations of the
State of Illinois and regulations and orders issued by
the Forest Service.
(B) Trapping.--Trapping shall not be permitted in
the Special Management Areas.
(C) Access by motor vehicles.--Motor vehicle access
by hunters within the Special Management Areas,
including over-snow vehicles, shall be prohibited.
(9) Volunteer restoration and research.--
(A) Volunteers.--The Secretary shall allow
volunteers of cooperators and individual Forest Service
volunteers to participate in ecological restoration
activities under the guidance of Forest Service
ecologists and botanists within the Special Management
Areas through cooperative agreements.
(B) Access for research purposes.--The Secretary
shall allow access to the Special Management Areas for
scientific research by individuals and organizations
that the Secretary determines to be qualified for that
purpose.
(10) Ongoing management decisions.--The Supervisor of the
Shawnee National Forest shall have the authority, without
requiring the permission of the Secretary, to make management
decisions concerning any designated natural area or designated
research natural area within the Special Management Areas
pursuant to the land management plan for the Shawnee National
Forest.
(d) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land
within the Special Management Areas, including any land or interest in
land that is acquired by the United States within the Special
Management Areas after the date of enactment of this Act, is withdrawn
from--
(1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under public land
law;
(2) location, entry, and patent under mining law; and
(3) operation of mineral leasing, mineral materials, and
geothermal leasing law.
(e) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and legal
descriptions of the Special Management Areas with--
(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House
of Representatives.
(2) Effect.--The map and legal descriptions filed under
paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if
included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct
clerical and typographical errors on the map and in the legal
descriptions.
(3) Availability.--The map and legal descriptions filed
under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public
inspection in the appropriate office of the Secretary and on
the website of the Forest Service.
(f) Public Information.--Annually, the Secretary shall make
publicly available on the website of the Shawnee National Forest a
description of the progress in achieving the management objectives
described in this section.
Calendar No. 217
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2548
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To designate the Camp Hutchins Wilderness and establish Special
Management Areas in the Shawnee National Forest in the State of
Illinois, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
October 27, 2025
Reported with an amendment