I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1660 
To establish the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in the State of Nevada, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 17, 2023 
Ms. TITUS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To establish the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in the 
State of Nevada, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Avi Kwa Ame National 
Monument Establishment Act of 2023’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds as follows: 
(1) The Federal public lands in southernmost 
Nevada comprise a nationally significant cultural 
and natural landscape. 
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(2) These lands are considered sacred by nu-
merous Indian Tribes, and the lands are tied to the 
Indian Tribes’ creation, cosmology, and well-being, 
containing numerous cultural sites and objects. 
(3) Avi Kwa Ame, or Spirit Mountain, located 
on the eastern edge of the proposed monument, is 
designated a Traditional Cultural Property on the 
National Register of Historic Places in recognition 
of its religious and cultural importance. 
(4) The lands showcase the progression of 
human history in the Eastern Mojave Desert, a lit-
eral crossroads of the American West. There are sig-
nificant elements of Native American, Western- 
American, and Mining History, including the historic 
Mojave Trail/Road, originally used by Mojave and 
other Native Americans to transport goods from the 
southwest to trade with the Chumash and other 
coastal Tribes and later used in Western expansion, 
as well as the historic Walking Box Ranch which fig-
ures prominently in the history of movie making in 
America. 
(5) The lands contain several prominent geo-
logical features, such as the volcanic Highland 
Range within the northern section of the Avi Kwa 
Ame landscape, which is about 10 miles long and re-
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markably rugged and ragged. The multicolored vol-
canic peaks, several thousand feet in elevation, tower 
above the surrounding valley and are remarkably 
scenic and are a designated Crucial Bighorn Sheep 
Habitat area. 
(6) The lands are a rare biological hotspot that 
contain intact ecosystems, Joshua tree forests, out-
standing wildlife habitat, and essential wildlife mi-
gration corridors. 
(7) The remote nature of the area protects the 
ability to enjoy increasingly rare natural quiet and 
dark night sky and solitude. 
(8) The lands provide important recreational 
opportunities. 
(9) Establishing the Federal public lands within 
the Avi Kwa Ame landscape as a national monument 
will permanently protect these natural and cultural 
resources for the benefit and enjoyment of present 
and future generations. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADVISORY COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘Advisory 
Council’’ means the Avi Kwa Ame National Monu-
ment Advisory Council established under section 
5(a). 
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(2) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 
has the meaning given in section 4 of the Indian 
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 5304). 
(3) MANAGEMENT PLAN.—The term ‘‘manage-
ment plan’’ means the management plan prepared 
under section 4(d). 
(4) MAP.—The term ‘‘Map’’ means the map en-
titled ‘‘Avi Kwa Ame National Monument’’ and 
dated February 1, 2022. 
(5) 
MONUMENT.—The 
term 
‘‘Monument’’ 
means the Avi Kwa Ame National Monument estab-
lished by section 4(a). 
(6) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(7) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State 
of Nevada. 
SEC. 4. AVI KWA AME NATIONAL MONUMENT. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Subject to valid existing 
rights, there is established the Avi Kwa Ame National 
Monument in the State, consisting of approximately 
445,000 acres of Federal land administered by the Bureau 
of Land Management, as generally depicted on the Map. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purpose of the Monument is to 
conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoy-
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ment of present and future generations the cultural, eco-
logical, scenic, wildlife, recreational, dark sky, historical, 
natural, educational, and scientific resources of the Monu-
ment. 
(c) MANAGEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall manage 
the Monument— 
(A) in a manner that conserves, protects, 
and enhances the resources of the Monument; 
(B) in accordance with— 
(i) the Federal Land Policy and Man-
agement Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et 
seq.); 
(ii) this section; and 
(iii) any other applicable law (includ-
ing regulations); and 
(C) as a component of the National Land-
scape Conservation System. 
(2) USES.—The Secretary shall only allow uses 
of the Monument that the Secretary determines 
would further the purposes described in subsection 
(b). 
(3) NATIVE AMERICAN ACCESS AND USE.— 
(A) ACCESS.—To the extent practicable, 
the Secretary shall ensure access to the Monu-
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ment by members of an Indian Tribe for tradi-
tional cultural purposes. 
(B) USE.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—In implementing 
this subsection, the Secretary, upon the re-
quest of an Indian Tribe, may temporarily 
close to the general public use of one or 
more specific portions of the Monument in 
order to protect the privacy of traditional 
cultural activities in such areas by mem-
bers of the Indian Tribe. 
(ii) LIMITATION.—Any such closure 
shall be made to affect the smallest area 
practicable for the minimum period nec-
essary for such purposes. 
(C) AMERICAN INDIAN RELIGIOUS FREE-
DOM.—The access and use provided under this 
paragraph shall be consistent with the purpose 
and intent of Public Law 95–341 (42 U.S.C. 
1996), commonly referred to as the American 
Indian Religious Freedom Act, and, as applica-
ble, the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et 
seq.). 
(4) MOTORIZED VEHICLES.— 
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(A) IN
GENERAL.—Except in cases in 
which motorized vehicles are needed for admin-
istrative purposes, or to respond to an emer-
gency, the use of motorized vehicles in the 
Monument shall be permitted only on roads 
designated by the management plan required by 
subsection (d) for the use of motorized vehicles. 
(B) INTERIM
MANAGEMENT.—Until the 
completion of the management plan, the use of 
motorized vehicles in the Monument shall be 
permitted in accordance with the applicable 
land use plan. 
(5) GRAZING.—The grazing of livestock in the 
Monument, where established before the date of the 
enactment of this Act, shall be permitted to con-
tinue— 
(A) subject to— 
(i) such reasonable regulations, poli-
cies, and practices as the Secretary con-
siders necessary; and 
(ii) applicable law (including regula-
tions); and 
(B) in a manner consistent with the pur-
poses described in subsection (b). 
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(6) WILDLIFE
WATER
PROJECTS.—The Sec-
retary, in consultation with the State, may authorize 
wildlife water projects (including guzzlers) within 
the Monument. 
(7) HUNTING, FISHING AND TRAPPING.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall allow 
hunting, fishing, and trapping on land and 
water within the Monument in accordance with 
applicable Federal and State law. 
(B) ADMINISTRATIVE
EXCEPTIONS.—The 
Secretary may designate areas in which, and es-
tablish limited periods during which, no hunt-
ing, fishing, or trapping shall be allowed under 
subparagraph (A) for reasons of public safety, 
administration, or compliance with applicable 
law. 
(C) AGENCY AGREEMENT.—Except in an 
emergency, regulations closing areas within the 
Monument to hunting, fishing, or trapping 
under this paragraph shall be made in consulta-
tion with the appropriate agency of the State 
having responsibility for fish and wildlife ad-
ministration. 
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(D) SAVINGS
CLAUSE.—Nothing in this 
subsection affects any jurisdiction or responsi-
bility of the State with respect to fish and wild-
life in the Monument. 
(d) MANAGEMENT PLAN.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act and in accord-
ance with paragraph (2), the Secretary shall develop 
a comprehensive plan for the long-term management 
of the Monument. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—In developing the man-
agement plan, the Secretary shall consult with— 
(A) other Federal land management agen-
cies in the area, including the National Park 
Service; 
(B) appropriate State, Tribal, and local 
governmental entities; and 
(C) members of the public. 
(3) INCORPORATION OF PLANS.—In developing 
the management plan, to the extent consistent with 
this Act, the Secretary may incorporate any provi-
sion of an applicable land and resource management 
plan. 
(e) INCORPORATION OF ACQUIRED LAND AND INTER-
ESTS.—Any land or interest in land within the boundary 
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of the Monument that is acquired by the United States 
shall— 
(1) become part of the Monument; 
(2) be withdrawn in accordance with subsection 
(f); and 
(3) be managed in accordance with— 
(A) the Federal Land Policy and Manage-
ment Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); 
(B) this Act; and 
(C) any other applicable law (including 
regulations). 
(f) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, 
all Federal land located in the Monument is withdrawn 
from— 
(1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and dis-
posal under the public land laws; 
(2) location, entry, and patenting under the 
mining laws; and 
(3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral 
materials, and geothermal leasing laws. 
(g) EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—No new easements or rights- 
of-way shall be conveyed on Federal lands within the 
Monument after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
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(2) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section precludes 
the Secretary from renewing easements or rights-of- 
way in existence on the date of the enactment of this 
Act within the Monument in accordance with this 
Act and applicable law (including regulations). 
(h) MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND EMER-
GENCY
OVERFLIGHTS.—Nothing in this section pre-
cludes— 
(1) low-level overflights of military, law enforce-
ment, or emergency medical services aircraft over 
the Monument; 
(2) flight testing and evaluation; and 
(3) the use or establishment of military, law en-
forcement, or emergency medical services flight 
training routes over the Monument. 
(i) NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS AND USES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this section al-
ters, modifies, enlarges, diminishes, or abrogates the 
treaty rights of any Indian Tribe, including off-res-
ervation reserved rights. 
(2) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall con-
sult with interested Indian Tribes— 
(A) in developing and carrying out the 
management plan; 
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(B) providing access under subsection 
(c)(3); and 
(C) to determine whether to charter an ad-
visory committee or otherwise formalize govern-
ment-to-government collaboration on the man-
agement of the Monument. 
(j) MAP; LEGAL DESCRIPTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall prepare a map and legal description of the 
Monument. 
(2) CORRECTIONS.—The map and legal descrip-
tion submitted under paragraph (1) shall have the 
same force and effect as if included in this subtitle, 
except that the Secretary may correct any clerical or 
typographical errors in the legal description and the 
map. 
(3) CONFLICT BETWEEN MAP AND LEGAL DE-
SCRIPTION.—In the case of a conflict between the 
map and the legal description, the map shall control. 
(4) AVAILABILITY
OF
MAP
AND
LEGAL
DE-
SCRIPTION.—Copies of the map and legal description 
shall be on file and available for public inspection in 
the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Man-
agement. 
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SEC. 5. AVI KWA AME NATIONAL MONUMENT ADVISORY 
COUNCIL. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
establish an advisory council to be known as the ‘‘Avi Kwa 
Ame National Monument Advisory Council’’. 
(b) DUTIES.—The Advisory Council shall advise the 
Secretary with respect to the preparation and implementa-
tion of the management plan. 
(c) APPLICABLE LAW.—The Advisory Council shall 
be subject to— 
(1) the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.); and 
(2) the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). 
(d) MEMBERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Council shall 
include 11 members to be appointed by the Sec-
retary, of whom, to the extent practicable— 
(A) 1 member shall be appointed after con-
sidering the recommendations of the Boulder 
City, Nevada, City Council; 
(B) 1 member shall be appointed after con-
sidering the recommendations of the Search-
light, Nevada, Town Advisory Board; 
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(C) 1 member shall be appointed after con-
sidering the recommendations of the Laughlin, 
Nevada, Town Advisory Board; 
(D) 6 members shall be appointed to rep-
resent Indian Tribes with a historical connec-
tion to the land within the Monument; and 
(E) 2 at-large members from the County 
shall be appointed after considering the rec-
ommendations of the County Commission. 
(2) 
SPECIAL
APPOINTMENT
CONSIDER-
ATIONS.—The at-large members appointed under 
paragraph (1)(E) shall have backgrounds that re-
flect— 
(A) the purposes for which the Monument 
was established; and 
(B) the interests of persons affected by the 
planning and management of the Monument. 
(3) REPRESENTATION.—The Secretary shall en-
sure that the membership of the Advisory Council is 
fairly balanced in terms of the points of view rep-
resented and the functions to be performed by the 
Advisory Council. 
(4) INITIAL
APPOINTMENT.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall appoint the initial members of 
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the Advisory Council in accordance with paragraph 
(1). 
(e) DUTIES OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.—The Advi-
sory Council shall advise the Secretary with respect to the 
preparation and implementation of the management plan, 
including budgetary matters relating to the Monument. 
(f) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Advisory Coun-
cil shall receive no compensation for serving on the Advi-
sory Council. 
(g) CHAIRPERSON.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Council shall 
elect a Chairperson from among the members of the 
Advisory Council. 
(2) TERM.—The term of the Chairperson shall 
be 3 years. 
(h) TERM OF MEMBERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The term of a member of 
the Advisory Council shall be 3 years. 
(2) SUCCESSORS.—Notwithstanding the expira-
tion of a 3-year term of a member of the Advisory 
Council, a member may continue to serve on the Ad-
visory Council until a successor is appointed. 
(i) VACANCIES.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—A vacancy on the Advisory 
Council shall be filled in the same manner in which 
the original appointment was made. 
(2) 
APPOINTMENT
FOR
REMAINDER
OF 
TERM.—A member appointed to fill a vacancy on the 
Advisory Council shall serve for the remainder of the 
term for which the predecessor was appointed. 
(j) TERMINATION.—The Advisory Council shall ter-
minate not later than 3 years after the date on which the 
final version of the management plan is published. 
SEC. 6. RELATIONSHIP TO CLARK COUNTY MULTI-SPECIES 
HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this Act limits, alters, 
modifies, or amends the Clark County Multi-Species Habi-
tat Conservation Plan with respect to the Monument. 
(b) CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT AREAS.—The Sec-
retary may, in accordance with the Clark County Multi- 
Species Habitat Conservation Plan (including amend-
ments to the plan) and applicable law, credit the acreage 
of Federal land within the Monument as Conservation 
Management Areas under the plan. 
(c) MANAGEMENT PLAN.—In developing the manage-
ment plan, to the extent consistent with this section, the 
Secretary may incorporate any provision of the Clark 
County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan. 
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SEC. 7. TRANSFER OF BUREAU OF RECLAMATION PARCELS. 
(a) TRANSFER OF PARCELS.—The Secretary shall 
transfer administrative jurisdiction of any Bureau of Rec-
lamation land within the Monument to the Bureau of 
Land Management. 
(b) MAP AND LEGAL DESCRIPTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall finalize the legal description of the land being 
transferred to the Bureau of Land Management 
under subsection (a). 
(2) MINOR ERRORS.—The Secretary may cor-
rect any minor error in— 
(A) the Map; or 
(B) the legal description. 
(3) AVAILABILITY.—The Map and legal descrip-
tion shall be on file and available for public inspec-
tion in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of 
Land Management and the Bureau of Reclamation. 
Æ 
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