280
prising approximately 121,497 acres, as generally de-
picted on the map entitled ‘‘Eastern White Pine 
County’’ and dated November 29, 2006, which shall be 
known as the ‘‘High Schells Wilderness’’. 
(12) BECKY PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain Fed-
eral land managed by the Bureau of Land Manage-
ment, comprising approximately 18,119 acres, as gen-
erally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Northern White 
Pine County’’ and dated November 29, 2006, which 
shall be known as the ‘‘Becky Peak Wilderness’’. 
(13) GOSHUTE
CANYON
WILDERNESS.—Certain 
Federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Man-
agement, comprising approximately 42,544 acres, as 
generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Northern 
White Pine County’’ and dated November 29, 2006, 
which shall be known as the ‘‘Goshute Canyon Wilder-
ness’’. 
(14) BRISTLECONE WILDERNESS.—Certain Fed-
eral land managed by the Bureau of Land Manage-
ment, comprising approximately 14,095 acres, as gen-
erally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Eastern White 
Pine County’’ and dated November 29, 2006, which 
shall be known as the ‘‘Bristlecone Wilderness’’. 
(b) BOUNDARY.—The boundary of any portion of a 
wilderness area designated by subsection (a) that is bor-
281
dered by a road shall be at least 100 feet from the edge 
of the road to allow public access. 
(c) 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 each wilderness 
area designated by subsection (a) with the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and 
the Committee on Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
(2) EFFECT.—Each map and legal description 
shall have the same force and effect as if included in 
this section, except that the Secretary may correct 
clerical and typographical errors in the map or legal 
description. 
(3) AVAILABILITY.—Each map and legal descrip-
tion shall be on file and available for public inspec-
tion in the appropriate offices of—
(A) the Bureau of Land Management; 
(B) the Forest Service; and 
(C) the National Park Service. 
(d) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, 
the wilderness areas designated by subsection (a) are with-
drawn from—
282
(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) operation of the mineral leasing and geo-
thermal leasing laws. 
(e) MT. MORIAH WILDERNESS BOUNDARY ADJUST-
MENT.—The boundary of the Mt. Moriah Wilderness estab-
lished under section 2(13) of the Nevada Wilderness Protec-
tion Act of 1989 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 101–
195) is adjusted to include only the land identified as the 
‘‘Mount Moriah Wilderness Area’’ and ‘‘Mount Moriah Ad-
ditions’’ on the map entitled ‘‘Eastern White Pine County’’ 
and dated November 29, 2006. 
SEC. 324. ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) MANAGEMENT.—Subject to valid existing rights, 
each area designated as wilderness by this subtitle shall be 
administered by the Secretary in accordance with the Wil-
derness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that—
(1) any reference in that Act to the effective date 
shall be considered to be a reference to the date of en-
actment of this Act; and 
(2) any reference in that Act to the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall be considered to be a reference to the
283
Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Inte-
rior, as appropriate. 
(b) LIVESTOCK.—Within the wilderness areas des-
ignated under this subtitle that are administered by the Bu-
reau of Land Management and the Forest Service, the graz-
ing of livestock in areas in which grazing is established as 
of the date of enactment of this Act shall be allowed to con-
tinue—
(1) subject to such reasonable regulations, poli-
cies, and practices that the Secretary considers nec-
essary; and 
(2) consistent with section 4(d)(4) of the Wilder-
ness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4)), including the guide-
lines set forth in Appendix A of House Report 101–
405. 
(c) INCORPORATION OF ACQUIRED LAND AND INTER-
ESTS.—Any land or interest in land within the boundaries 
of an area designated as wilderness by this subtitle that 
is acquired by the United States after the date of enactment 
of this Act shall be added to and administered as part of 
the wilderness area within which the acquired land or inter-
est is located. 
(d) WATER RIGHTS.—
(1) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that—
284
(A) the land designated as wilderness by 
this subtitle is located—
(i) in the semiarid region of the Great 
Basin; and 
(ii) at the headwaters of the streams 
and rivers on land with respect to which 
there are few if any—
(I) actual or proposed water re-
source facilities located upstream; and 
(II) opportunities for diversion, 
storage, or other uses of water occur-
ring outside the land that would ad-
versely affect the wilderness values of 
the land; 
(B) the land designated as wilderness by 
this subtitle is generally not suitable for use or 
development of new water resource facilities; and 
(C) because of the unique nature of the land 
designated as wilderness by this subtitle, it is 
possible to provide for proper management and 
protection of the wilderness and other values of 
land in ways different from those used in other 
laws. 
(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to 
protect the wilderness values of the land designated as
285
wilderness by this subtitle by means other than a fed-
erally reserved water right. 
(3) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
subtitle—
(A) shall constitute or be construed to con-
stitute either an express or implied reservation 
by the United States of any water or water 
rights with respect to a wilderness designated by 
this subtitle; 
(B) shall affect any water rights in the 
State (including any water rights held by the 
United States) in existence on the date of enact-
ment of this Act; 
(C) shall be construed as establishing a 
precedent with regard to any future wilderness 
designations; 
(D) shall affect the interpretation of, or any 
designation made pursuant to, any other Act; or 
(E) shall be construed as limiting, altering, 
modifying, or amending any interstate compact 
or equitable apportionment decree that appor-
tions water among and between the State and 
other States. 
(4) NEVADA WATER LAW.—The Secretary shall 
follow the procedural and substantive requirements of
286
State law in order to obtain and hold any water 
rights not in existence on the date of enactment of this 
Act with respect to the wilderness areas designated by 
this subtitle. 
(5) NEW PROJECTS.—
(A) DEFINITION OF WATER RESOURCE FA-
CILITY.—In this paragraph, the term ‘‘water re-
source facility’’—
(i) means irrigation and pumping fa-
cilities, 
reservoirs, 
water 
conservation 
works, aqueducts, canals, ditches, pipelines, 
wells, hydropower projects, transmission 
and other ancillary facilities, and other 
water diversion, storage, and carriage struc-
tures; and 
(ii) does not include wildlife guzzlers. 
(B) RESTRICTION
ON
NEW
WATER
RE-
SOURCE FACILITIES.—Except as otherwise pro-
vided in this title, on or after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, neither the President nor any 
other officer, employee, or agent of the United 
States shall fund, assist, authorize, or issue a li-
cense or permit for the development of any new 
water resource facility within a wilderness area 
that is wholly or partially within the County.
287
SEC. 325. ADJACENT MANAGEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Congress does not intend for the 
designation of wilderness in the State by this subtitle to 
lead to the creation of protective perimeters or buffer zones 
around any such wilderness area. 
(b) NONWILDERNESS ACTIVITIES.—The fact that non-
wilderness activities or uses can be seen or heard from areas 
within a wilderness designated under this subtitle shall not 
preclude the conduct of those activities or uses outside the 
boundary of the wilderness area. 
SEC. 326. MILITARY OVERFLIGHTS. 
Nothing in this subtitle restricts or precludes—
(1) low-level overflights of military aircraft over 
the areas designated as wilderness by this subtitle, in-
cluding military overflights that can be seen or heard 
within the wilderness areas; 
(2) flight testing and evaluation; or 
(3) the designation or creation of new units of 
special use airspace, or the establishment of military 
flight training routes, over the wilderness areas. 
SEC. 327. NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS 
USES. 
Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to dimin-
ish—
(1) the rights of any Indian tribe; or
288
(2) tribal rights regarding access to Federal land 
for tribal activities, including spiritual, cultural, and 
traditional food-gathering activities. 
SEC. 328. RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS. 
(a) FINDING.—Congress finds that, for the purposes of 
section 603 of the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782), the Bureau of Land Manage-
ment land has been adequately studied for wilderness des-
ignation in any portion of the wilderness study areas or 
instant study areas—
(1) not designated as wilderness by section 
l23(a), excluding the portion of the Goshute Canyon 
Wilderness Study Area located outside of the County; 
and 
(2) depicted as released on the maps entitled—
(A) ‘‘Eastern White Pine County’’ and 
dated November 29, 2006; 
(B) ‘‘Northern White Pine County’’ and 
dated November 29, 2006; 
(C) ‘‘Southern White Pine County’’ and 
dated November 29, 2006; and 
(D) ‘‘Western White Pine County’’ and 
dated November 29, 2006. 
(b) RELEASE.—
289
(1) IN GENERAL.—Any public land described in 
subsection (a) that is not designated as wilderness by 
this subtitle—
(A) is no longer subject to section 603(c) of 
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)); 
(B) shall be managed in accordance with—
(i) land management plans adopted 
under section 202 of that Act (43 U.S.C. 
1712); and 
(ii) cooperative conservation agree-
ments in existence on the date of enactment 
of this Act; and 
(C) shall be subject to the Endangered Spe-
cies Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). 
(2) EXCEPTION.—The requirements described in 
paragraph (1) shall not apply to the portion of the 
Goshute Canyon Wilderness Study Area located out-
side of the County. 
SEC. 329. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with section 4(d)(7) 
of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(7)), nothing in 
this subtitle affects the jurisdiction of the State with respect 
to fish and wildlife management, including the regulation
290
of hunting, fishing, and trapping, in the wilderness areas 
designated by this subtitle. 
(b) MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.—In furtherance of the 
purposes and principles of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
1131 et seq.), the Secretary may conduct such management 
activities as are necessary to maintain or restore fish and 
wildlife populations and habitats in the wilderness areas 
designated by this subtitle if those activities are con-
ducted—
(1) consistent with relevant wilderness manage-
ment plans; and 
(2) in accordance with—
(A) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et 
seq.); and 
(B) appropriate policies such as those set 
forth in Appendix B of House Report 101–405, 
including 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 popu-
lations that would enhance wilderness values and 
accomplish those tasks with the minimal impact 
necessary to reasonably accomplish those tasks. 
(c) EXISTING ACTIVITIES.—Consistent with section 
4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)) and
291
in accordance with appropriate policies such as those set 
forth in Appendix B of House Report 101–405, the State 
may continue to use aircraft, including helicopters, to sur-
vey, capture, transplant, monitor, and provide water for 
wildlife populations, including bighorn sheep, and feral 
stock, feral horses, and feral burros. 
(d) WILDLIFE WATER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.—
Subject to subsection (f), the Secretary shall authorize struc-
tures and facilities, including existing structures and facili-
ties, for wildlife water development projects, including guz-
zlers, in the wilderness areas designated by this subtitle if—
(1) the structures and facilities will, as deter-
mined by the Secretary, enhance wilderness values by 
promoting healthy, viable, and more naturally dis-
tributed wildlife populations; and 
(2) the visual impacts of the structures and fa-
cilities on the wilderness areas can reasonably be 
minimized. 
(e) HUNTING, FISHING, AND TRAPPING.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may designate 
by regulation areas in which, and establish periods 
during which, for reasons of public safety, adminis-
tration, or compliance with applicable laws, no hunt-
ing, fishing, or trapping will be permitted in the wil-
derness areas designated by this subtitle.
292
(2) CONSULTATION.—Except in emergencies, the 
Secretary shall consult with the appropriate State 
agency before promulgating regulations under para-
graph (1). 
(f) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The State (including a des-
ignee of the State) may conduct wildlife management 
activities in the wilderness areas designated by this 
subtitle—
(A) in accordance with the terms and con-
ditions specified in the cooperative agreement be-
tween the Secretary and the State, entitled 
‘‘Memorandum of Understanding between the 
Bureau of Land Management and the Nevada 
Department of Wildlife Supplement No. 9,’’ and 
signed November and December 2003, including 
any amendments to the cooperative agreement 
agreed to by the Secretary and the State; and 
(B) subject to all applicable laws and regu-
lations. 
(2) REFERENCES.—
(A) CLARK COUNTY.—For purposes of this 
subsection, any references to Clark County in the 
cooperative agreement described in paragraph
293
(1)(A) shall be considered to be references to 
White Pine County, Nevada. 
(B) BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT.—For 
purposes of this subsection, any references to the 
Bureau of Land Management in the cooperative 
agreement described in paragraph (1)(A) shall 
also be considered to be references to the Forest 
Service. 
SEC. 330. WILDFIRE, INSECT, AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT. 
Consistent with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)), the Secretary may take such meas-
ures as may be necessary in the control of fire, insects, and 
diseases, including coordination with a State or local agen-
cy, as the Secretary deems appropriate. 
SEC. 331. CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA COLLECTION. 
If the Secretary determines that hydrologic, meteoro-
logic, or climatological collection devices are appropriate to 
further the scientific, educational, and conservation pur-
poses of the wilderness areas designated by this subtitle, 
nothing in this subtitle precludes the installation and main-
tenance of the collection devices within the wilderness areas.
294
Subtitle C—Transfers of 
Administrative Jurisdiction 
SEC. 341. TRANSFER TO THE UNITED STATES FISH AND 
WILDLIFE SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Administrative jurisdiction over 
the land described in subsection (b) is transferred from the 
Bureau of Land Management to the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service for inclusion in the Ruby Lake National 
Wildlife Refuge. 
(b) DESCRIPTION OF LAND.—The parcel of land re-
ferred to in subsection (a) is approximately 645 acres of 
land administered by the Bureau of Land Management and 
identified on the map entitled ‘‘Ruby Lake Land Transfer’’ 
and dated July 10, 2006, as ‘‘Lands to be transferred to 
the Fish and Wildlife Service’’. 
SEC. 342. TRANSFER TO THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGE-
MENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (c), adminis-
trative jurisdiction over the parcels of land described in sub-
section (b) is transferred from the Forest Service to the Bu-
reau of Land Management. 
(b) DESCRIPTION OF LAND.—The parcels of land re-
ferred to in subsection (a) are—
(1) the land administered by the Forest Service 
and identified on the map entitled ‘‘Southern White
295
Pine County’’ and dated November 29, 2006, as 
‘‘Withdrawal Area’’; 
(2) the land administered by the Forest Service 
and identified on the map entitled ‘‘Southern White 
Pine County’’ and dated November 29, 2006, as 
‘‘Highland Ridge Wilderness’’; and 
(3) all other Federal land administered by the 
Forest Service that is located adjacent to the High-
land Ridge Wilderness. 
(c) CONTINUATION OF COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—
Any existing Forest Service cooperative agreement or per-
mit in effect on the date of enactment of this Act relating 
to a parcel of land to which administrative jurisdiction is 
transferred by subsection (a) shall be continued by the Bu-
reau of Land Management unless there is reasonable cause 
to terminate the agreement or permit, as determined by the 
Secretary. 
(d) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, all 
Federal land within the Withdrawal Area is withdrawn 
from all forms of—
(1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the 
public land laws; 
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining 
laws; and
296
(3) operation of the mineral laws, geothermal 
leasing laws, and mineral materials laws. 
(e) MOTORIZED AND MECHANICAL VEHICLES.—Use of 
motorized and mechanical vehicles in the withdrawal area 
designated by this subtitle shall be permitted only on roads 
and trails designated for their use, unless the use of those 
vehicles is needed—
(1) for administrative purposes; or 
(2) to respond to an emergency. 
SEC. 343. TRANSFER TO THE FOREST SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (c), adminis-
trative jurisdiction over the parcels of land described in sub-
section (b) is transferred from the Bureau of Land Manage-
ment to the Forest Service. 
(b) DESCRIPTION OF LAND.—The parcels of land re-
ferred to in subsection (a) are the approximately 5,799 
acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Manage-
ment and identified on the map entitled ‘‘Western White 
Pine County’’, dated November 29, 2006, as the BLM Pub-
lic Land Transfer to the US Forest Service. 
(c) CONTINUATION OF COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—
Any existing Bureau of Land Management cooperative 
agreement or permit in effect on the date of enactment of 
this Act relating to a parcel of land to which administrative 
jurisdiction is transferred by subsection (a) shall be contin-