Ouachita National Forest Overnight Camping Act
Bill: H.R.9029 | Sponsor: Rep. Westerman, Bruce (R-AR)
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
Ouachita National Forest Overnight Camping Act
This bill requires the identification and development of campsites and related facilities in the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall (1) identify areas within Albert Pike Recreation Area that may be suitable for overnight camping; (2) review each area identified; and (3) from the areas identified, select and establish campsites and related facilities within the recreation area for public use.
USDA must ensure (1) that at least 54 campsites are available, of which not less than 8 shall have electric and water hookups; and (2) that each campsite and related facility identified or established is located outside of the 1% annual exceedance probability flood elevation.
Not later than 30 days after the enactment of this bill, USDA shall open each campsite within the recreation area that (1) exists on the enactment of this bill, and (2) is located outside of the 1% annual exceedance probability flood elevation.

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to identify and develop 
    campsites and related facilities for public use in the Ouachita 
                National Forest, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Ouachita National Forest Overnight 
Camping Act''.

SEC. 2. RESTORATION OF OVERNIGHT CAMPSITES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall--
            (1) not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment 
        of this Act, identify areas within Albert Pike Recreation Area 
        that may be suitable for overnight camping; and
            (2) not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment 
        of this Act--
                    (A) review each area identified under paragraph 
                (1); and
                    (B) from the areas so identified, select and 
                establish campsites and related facilities within 
                Albert Pike Recreation Area for public use.
    (b) Requirements Related to Campsites and Related Facilities.--The 
Secretary shall--
            (1) ensure that at least 54 campsites are available under 
        subsection (a), of which not less than 8 shall have electric 
        and water hookups; and
            (2) ensure that each campsite and related facility 
        identified or established under subsection (a) is located 
        outside of the 1 percent annual exceedance probability flood 
        elevation.
    (c) Reopening of Certain Sites.--Not later than 30 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall open each 
campsite within Albert Pike Recreation Area that--
            (1) exists on the date of the enactment of this Act; and
            (2) is located outside of the 1 percent annual exceedance 
        probability flood elevation.
    (d) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Albert pike recreation area.--The term ``Albert Pike 
        Recreation Area'' means the Albert Pike Recreation Area and 
        grounds associated with such area located in the Ouachita 
        National Forest, approximately six miles north of Langley, 
        Arkansas in southern Montgomery County, Arkansas.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.
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