Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 109-362.
Official Summary
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.) Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act - Designates specified areas in Mendocino and Six Rivers National Forests and in Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and Napa Counties in the State of California as wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Requires that such lands be administered by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, whoever has current administrative jurisdiction. Withdraws such federal lands designated as wilderness by this Act from all forms of: (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and (3) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials. Releases from further wilderness study those portions of: (1) the King Range Wilderness Study Area, Chemise Mountain Instant Study Area, Red Mountain Wilderness Study Area, and Cedar Roughs Wilderness Study Area not designated as wilderness; and (2) the Rocky Creek/Cache Creek Wilderness Study Area in Lake County, California, not designated as wilderness. Designates certain public land in the State administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) generally known as the South Fork Eel River Wilderness Area and Elkhorn Ridge Potential Wilderness as a potential wilderness area. Requires that the Secretary of the Interior manage such lands as wilderness and carry out ecological restoration activities. Designates specified segments of the Black Butte River in the State as a wild and scenic river. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a fire management plan and a report on the cultural and historic resources of Black Butte River. Includes land identified as the King Range National Conservation Area Additions in the King Range Wilderness Area. Establishes the Cow Mountain Recreation Area in Lake and Mendocino Counties, California. Allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands or interests in lands in the Recreation Area from willing persons only. Requires lands or interests in lands within or adjacent to the boundaries of the Recreation Area that are acquired by BLM, and title or possession of which is vested in the United States, to be managed by such Secretary as part of the Recreation Area. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in order to continue traditional commercial surf fishing, to permit the right of entry for authorized vehicle access onto the wave slope area at that area known as Gold Bluffs Beach, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and that part of the beach north and south Redwood Creek in Redwood National and State Parks.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act designates specific federal lands in Northern California as wilderness areas, adding them to the National Wilderness Preservation System. It also withdraws these lands from certain types of development and mining activities, establishes a recreation area, and designates segments of a river as wild and scenic. The bill requires management by the relevant federal agencies and includes provisions for ecological restoration and traditional commercial surf fishing access.
This bill designates new wilderness and recreation areas in Northern California, affecting land use and conservation management to preserve natural resources and public access.
- Designates areas in Mendocino, Six Rivers National Forests, and several counties in California as wilderness areas under federal protection.
- Withdraws designated lands from public land laws, mining laws, and mineral leasing to protect them from development.
- Establishes the Cow Mountain Recreation Area and designates parts of the Black Butte River as wild and scenic.
Federal land management agencies, conservation groups, outdoor recreation users, and communities near the designated areas may benefit from enhanced land protection and management. Traditional commercial surf fishers are granted continued access rights in specified areas.
Potential concerns include the impact on land use options for local industries such as mining and development, costs related to land management and ecological restoration, and the need for coordination among federal agencies. The full bill text is not provided, limiting detailed assessment of implementation specifics.
The bill was introduced and passed in the House during the 109th Congress, focusing on public lands and natural resources policy. It became law in 2006, indicating successful legislative approval and executive signing.
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The designation of wilderness and recreation areas may influence local economies by limiting certain land uses while potentially increasing tourism and recreation opportunities. It may also affect ecological conservation efforts and federal land management priorities in the region.
The full bill text is not provided, which limits detailed analysis of specific provisions and implementation mechanisms. Citizens may want to review agency management plans and funding allocations related to the designated areas. The bill’s passage as law indicates established legal status for the designated lands.
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