California Minerals, Off-Road Recreation, and Conservation Act

Bill: 114-hr-3668
Sponsor: Rep. Cook, Paul [R-CA-8]
Introduced: 2015-10-01 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
California
Congressional oversight
Electric power generation and transmission
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Forests, forestry, trees
Historical and cultural resources
Indian lands and resources rights
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Land transfers
Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
Motor vehicles
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: 

California Minerals, Off-Road Recreation, and Conservation Act
 
 
Specified off-highway vehicle recreation areas are designated or expanded in San Bernardino County, California.
 
Certain wilderness areas in California are also designated or expanded, and specified study areas released from further study. 
 
The boundaries of Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve are revised.
 
 The California Desert Protection Act of 1994 is amended to revise the boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park and authorize a visitor center.
 
The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act is revised to designate certain wild, scenic, and recreational rivers in California.
 
There are established the Black Lava Butte and Flat Top Mesa Area of Critical Environmental Concern, the Mojave Trails Special Management Area, and the Sand to Snow National Monument
 
Federal reversionary interests in certain land in the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California are released.
 
Certain requirements of the California Desert Protection Act of 1994 for specified California state school land are revised.
 
Development of renewable energy generation facilities on Juniper Flats is prohibited.
 
Specified land exchanges are authorized in the San Gorgonio Wilderness and other specified areas.
 
Requirements are prescribed for conveyance of certain federal lands for the Apple Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area and to the city of Twentynine Palms, California.
 
The Department of the Interior shall ensure that members of specified Indian tribes have access to designated areas for traditional cultural and religious purposes.
 
Interior may accept landowner-requested deed restrictions on land donated to or acquired by the United States or, consistent with existing rights, create deed restrictions, easements, or other third-party rights relating to any public land necessary to fulfill certain mitigation requirements or to satisfy the conditions of a habitat conservation plan or general conservation plan.
 
No extension or establishment of any national monument that would include any designated area may be undertaken by the President except by express authorization of Congress.
 
A project to install and operate a fiberoptic cable by Inyo County, California, along a certain route shall be eligible for a categorical exclusion from requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-09
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2015-10-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-10-01
text: Introduced in House