I 
117TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 973 
To designate certain Federal land in the State of California as wilderness, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 11, 2021 
Mr. CARBAJAL (for himself, Mr. HUFFMAN, Ms. CHU, Mr. PANETTA, and Ms. 
BROWNLEY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Natural Resources 
A BILL 
To designate certain Federal land in the State of California 
as wilderness, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Central Coast Heritage Protection Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
Sec. 3. Designation of wilderness. 
Sec. 4. Designation of the Machesna Mountain Potential Wilderness. 
Sec. 5. Administration of wilderness. 
Sec. 6. Designation of Wild and Scenic Rivers. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6211
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
Sec. 7. Designation of the Fox Mountain Potential Wilderness. 
Sec. 8. Designation of scenic areas. 
Sec. 9. Condor National Scenic Trail. 
Sec. 10. Forest service study. 
Sec. 11. Nonmotorized recreation opportunities. 
Sec. 12. Use by members of Tribes. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) SCENIC AREAS.—The term ‘‘scenic area’’ 
means a scenic area designated by section 8(a). 
(2) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘‘Secretary’’ 
means— 
(A) with respect to land managed by the 
Bureau of Land Management, the Secretary of 
the Interior; and 
(B) with respect to land managed by the 
Forest Service, the Secretary of Agriculture. 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State 
of California. 
(4) WILDERNESS AREA.—The term ‘‘wilderness 
area’’ means a wilderness area or wilderness addi-
tion designated by section 3(a). 
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the Wilderness 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following areas in the 
State are designated as wilderness areas and as compo-
nents of the National Wilderness Preservation System: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(1) Certain land in the Bakersfield Field Office 
of the Bureau of Land Management comprising ap-
proximately 35,116 acres, as generally depicted on 
the map entitled ‘‘Proposed Caliente Mountain Wil-
derness’’ and dated November 13, 2019, which shall 
be known as the ‘‘Caliente Mountain Wilderness’’. 
(2) Certain land in the Bakersfield Field Office 
of the Bureau of Land Management comprising ap-
proximately 13,332 acres, as generally depicted on 
the map entitled ‘‘Proposed Soda Lake Wilderness’’ 
and dated June 25, 2019, which shall be known as 
the ‘‘Soda Lake Wilderness’’. 
(3) Certain land in the Bakersfield Field Office 
of the Bureau of Land Management comprising ap-
proximately 12,585 acres, as generally depicted on 
the map entitled ‘‘Proposed Temblor Range Wilder-
ness’’ and dated June 25, 2019, which shall be 
known as the ‘‘Temblor Range Wilderness’’. 
(4) Certain land in the Los Padres National 
Forest comprising approximately 23,670 acres, as 
generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Chumash 
Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed’’ and dated 
March 29, 2019, which shall be incorporated into 
and managed as part of the Chumash Wilderness as 
designated by the Los Padres Condor Range and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
River Protection Act (Public Law 102–301; 106 
Stat. 242). 
(5) Certain land in the Los Padres National 
Forest comprising approximately 54,036 acres, as 
generally depicted on the maps entitled ‘‘Dick Smith 
Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed Map 1 of 2 
(Bear Canyon and Cuyama Peak Units)’’ and ‘‘Dick 
Smith Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed Map 2 
of 2 (Buckhorn and Mono Units)’’ and dated No-
vember 14, 2019, which shall be incorporated into 
and managed as part of the Dick Smith Wilderness 
as designated by the California Wilderness Act of 
1984 (Public Law 98–425; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note). 
(6) Certain land in the Los Padres National 
Forest and the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bu-
reau of Land Management comprising approximately 
7,289 acres, as generally depicted on the map enti-
tled ‘‘Garcia Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed’’ 
and dated March 29, 2019, which shall be incor-
porated into and managed as part of the Garcia Wil-
derness as designated by the Los Padres Condor 
Range and River Protection Act (Public Law 102– 
301; 106 Stat. 242). 
(7) Certain land in the Los Padres National 
Forest and the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bu-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
reau of Land Management comprising approximately 
8,774 acres, as generally depicted on the map enti-
tled ‘‘Machesna Mountain Wilderness—Proposed 
Additions’’ and dated October 30, 2019, which shall 
be incorporated into and managed as part of the 
Machesna Mountain Wilderness as designated by the 
California Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98– 
425; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note). 
(8) Certain land in the Los Padres National 
Forest comprising approximately 30,184 acres, as 
generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Matilija Wil-
derness Area Additions—Proposed’’ and dated 
March 29, 2019, which shall be incorporated into 
and managed as part of the Matilija Wilderness as 
designated by the Los Padres Condor Range and 
River Protection Act (Public Law 102–301; 106 
Stat. 242). 
(9) Certain land in the Los Padres National 
Forest comprising approximately 23,969 acres, as 
generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘San Rafael 
Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed’’ and dated 
February 2, 2021, which shall be incorporated into 
and managed as part of the San Rafael Wilderness 
as designated by Public Law 90–271 (82 Stat. 51), 
the California Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
98–425; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note), and the Los Padres 
Condor Range and River Protection Act (Public Law 
102–301; 106 Stat. 242). 
(10) Certain land in the Los Padres National 
Forest comprising approximately 2,921 acres, as 
generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Santa Lucia 
Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed’’ and dated 
March 29, 2019, which shall be incorporated into 
and managed as part of the Santa Lucia Wilderness 
as designated by the Endangered American Wilder-
ness Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–237; 16 U.S.C. 
1132 note). 
(11) Certain land in the Los Padres National 
Forest comprising approximately 14,313 acres, as 
generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Sespe Wil-
derness Area Additions—Proposed’’ and dated 
March 29, 2019, which shall be incorporated into 
and managed as part of the Sespe Wilderness as 
designated by the Los Padres Condor Range and 
River Protection Act (Public Law 102–301; 106 
Stat. 242). 
(12) Certain land in the Los Padres National 
Forest comprising approximately 17,870 acres, as 
generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Diablo 
Caliente Wilderness Area—Proposed’’ and dated 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
March 29, 2019, which shall be known as the ‘‘Dia-
blo Caliente Wilderness’’. 
(b) MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall file maps and legal descriptions of the wilder-
ness 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) FORCE OF LAW.—The maps and legal de-
scriptions filed under paragraph (1) shall have the 
same force and effect as if included in this Act, ex-
cept that the Secretary may correct any clerical and 
typographical errors in the maps and legal descrip-
tions. 
(3) PUBLIC
AVAILABILITY.—The maps and 
legal descriptions filed under paragraph (1) shall be 
on file and available for public inspection in the ap-
propriate offices of the Forest Service and Bureau 
of Land Management. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF THE MACHESNA MOUNTAIN PO-
TENTIAL WILDERNESS. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—In furtherance of the purposes of 
the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), certain land 
in the Los Padres National Forest comprising approxi-
mately 2,359 acres, as generally depicted on the map enti-
tled ‘‘Machesna Mountain Potential Wilderness’’ and 
dated March 29, 2019, is designated as the Machesna 
Mountain Potential Wilderness Area. 
(b) 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 
Machesna Mountain Potential Wilderness Area (re-
ferred to in this section as the ‘‘potential wilderness 
area’’) 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) FORCE OF LAW.—The map and legal de-
scription filed under paragraph (1) shall have the 
same force and effect as if included in this Act, ex-
cept that the Secretary may correct any clerical and 
typographical errors in the map and legal descrip-
tion. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(3) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The map and legal 
description filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file 
and available for public inspection in the appropriate 
offices of the Forest Service. 
(c) MANAGEMENT.—Except as provided in subsection 
(d) and subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary shall 
manage the potential wilderness area in accordance with 
the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.). 
(d) TRAIL USE, CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, 
AND REALIGNMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In accordance with para-
graph (2), the Secretary may reconstruct, realign, or 
reroute the Pine Mountain Trail. 
(2) REQUIREMENT.—In carrying out the recon-
struction, realignment, or rerouting under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary shall— 
(A) comply with all existing laws (including 
regulations); and 
(B) to the maximum extent practicable, 
use the minimum tool or administrative practice 
necessary to accomplish the reconstruction, re-
alignment, or rerouting with the least amount 
of adverse impact on wilderness character and 
resources. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(3) MOTORIZED VEHICLES AND MACHINERY.— 
In accordance with paragraph (2), the Secretary 
may use motorized vehicles and machinery to carry 
out the trail reconstruction, realignment, or rerout-
ing authorized by this subsection. 
(4) 
MOTORIZED
AND
MECHANIZED
VEHI-
CLES.—The Secretary may permit the use of motor-
ized and mechanized vehicles on the existing Pine 
Mountain Trail in accordance with existing law (in-
cluding regulations) and this subsection until such 
date as the potential wilderness area is designated 
as wilderness in accordance with subsection (h). 
(e) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, 
the Federal land in the potential wilderness area is with-
drawn 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 min-
eral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials. 
(f) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—In carrying out 
this section, the Secretary may enter into cooperative 
agreements with State, Tribal, and local governmental en-
tities and private entities to complete the trail reconstruc-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
tion, realignment, or rerouting authorized by subsection 
(d). 
(g) BOUNDARIES.—The Secretary shall modify the 
boundary of the potential wilderness area to exclude any 
area within 150 feet of the centerline of the new location 
of any trail that has been reconstructed, realigned, or re-
routed under subsection (d). 
(h) WILDERNESS DESIGNATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The potential wilderness 
area, as modified under subsection (g), shall be des-
ignated as wilderness and as a component of the Na-
tional Wilderness Preservation System on the earlier 
of— 
(A) the date on which the Secretary pub-
lishes in the Federal Register notice that the 
trail reconstruction, realignment, or rerouting 
authorized by subsection (d) has been com-
pleted; or 
(B) the date that is 20 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(2) ADMINISTRATION
OF
WILDERNESS.—On 
designation as wilderness under this section, the po-
tential wilderness area shall be— 
(A) incorporated into the Machesna Moun-
tain Wilderness Area, as designated by the Cali-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
fornia Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98– 
425; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note) and expanded by 
section 3; and 
(B) administered in accordance with sec-
tion 5 and the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 
et seq.). 
SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION OF WILDERNESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, 
the wilderness areas shall be administered by the Sec-
retary in accordance with this Act and the Wilderness Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that— 
(1) any reference in the Wilderness Act (16 
U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) 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 the Wilderness Act (16 
U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) to the Secretary of Agriculture 
shall be considered to be a reference to the Secretary 
that has jurisdiction over the wilderness area. 
(b) FIRE MANAGEMENT
AND RELATED ACTIVI-
TIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may take any 
measures in a wilderness area as are necessary for 
the control of fire, insects, and diseases in accord-
ance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)) and House Report 98–40 of the 
98th Congress. 
(2) FUNDING PRIORITIES.—Nothing in this Act 
limits funding for fire and fuels management in the 
wilderness areas. 
(3) REVISION
AND
DEVELOPMENT
OF
LOCAL 
FIRE MANAGEMENT PLANS.—As soon as practicable 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall amend the local information in the Fire 
Management Reference System or individual oper-
ational plans that apply to the land designated as a 
wilderness area. 
(4) ADMINISTRATION.—Consistent with para-
graph (1) and other applicable Federal law, to en-
sure a timely and efficient response to fire emer-
gencies in the wilderness areas, the Secretary shall 
enter into agreements with appropriate State or 
local firefighting agencies. 
(c) GRAZING.—The grazing of livestock in the wilder-
ness areas, if established before the date of enactment of 
this Act, shall be permitted to continue, subject to any 
reasonable regulations as the Secretary considers nec-
essary in accordance with— 
(1) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 
U.S.C. 1133(d)(4)); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(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; 
(3) the guidelines set forth in House Report 
96–617, accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Con-
gress for land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary 
of Agriculture; and 
(4) all other laws governing livestock grazing on 
Federal public land. 
(d) FISH AND WILDLIFE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with section 
4(d)(7) 
of 
the 
Wilderness 
Act 
(16 
U.S.C. 
1133(d)(7)), nothing in this Act affects the jurisdic-
tion or responsibilities of the State with respect to 
fish and wildlife on public land in the State. 
(2) MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.—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— 
(A) consistent with relevant wilderness 
management plans; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(B) conducted in accordance with appro-
priate policies, such as the policies established 
in Appendix B of House Report 101–405; and 
(C) in accordance with memoranda of un-
derstanding between the Federal agencies and 
the State Department of Fish and Wildlife. 
(e) BUFFER ZONES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Congress does not intend for 
the designation of wilderness areas by this Act to 
lead to the creation of protective perimeters or buff-
er zones around each wilderness area. 
(2) ACTIVITIES OR USES UP TO BOUNDARIES.— 
The fact that nonwilderness activities or uses can be 
seen or heard from within a wilderness area shall 
not, of itself, preclude the activities or uses up to the 
boundary of the wilderness area. 
(f) MILITARY ACTIVITIES.—Nothing in this Act pre-
cludes— 
(1) low-level overflights of military aircraft over 
the wilderness areas; 
(2) the designation of new units of special air-
space over the wilderness areas; or 
(3) the use or establishment of military flight 
training routes over wilderness areas. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(g) HORSES.—Nothing in this Act precludes horse-
back riding in, or the entry of recreational saddle or pack 
stock into, a wilderness area— 
(1) in accordance with section 4(d)(5) of the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(5)); and 
(2) subject to any terms and conditions deter-
mined to be necessary by the Secretary. 
(h) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, 
the wilderness areas are withdrawn from— 
(1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and dis-
posal under the public land laws; 
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining 
laws; and 
(3) disposition under all laws pertaining to min-
eral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials. 
(i) INCORPORATION OF ACQUIRED LAND AND INTER-
ESTS.—Any land within the boundary of a wilderness area 
that is acquired by the United States shall— 
(1) become part of the wilderness area in which 
the land is located; and 
(2) be managed in accordance with— 
(A) this section; 
(B) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et 
seq.); and 
(C) any other applicable law. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(j) TREATMENT OF EXISTING WATER DIVERSIONS IN 
THE SAN RAFAEL WILDERNESS ADDITIONS.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION
FOR
CONTINUED
USE.— 
The Secretary of Agriculture may issue a special use 
authorization to the owners of the 2 existing water 
transport or diversion facilities, including adminis-
trative access roads (in this subsection referred to as 
a ‘‘facility’’), located on National Forest System 
land in the San Rafael Wilderness Additions in the 
Moon Canyon unit (T. 11 N., R. 30 W., secs. 13 
and 14) and the Peak Mountain unit (T. 10 N., R. 
28 W., secs. 23 and 26) for the continued operation, 
maintenance, and reconstruction of the facility if the 
Secretary determines that— 
(A) the facility was in existence on the 
date on which the land on which the facility is 
located was designated as part of the National 
Wilderness Preservation System (in this sub-
section referred to as ‘‘the date of designa-
tion’’); 
(B) the facility has been in substantially 
continuous use to deliver water for the bene-
ficial use on the non-Federal land of the owner 
since the date of designation; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
03:15 Mar 06, 2021
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H973.IH
H973
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS