PUBLIC Lands Act

Bill: 118-s-1776
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2023-05-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Atmospheric science and weather
California
Electric power generation and transmission
Federal-Indian relations
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Historical and cultural resources
Hydrology and hydrography
Lakes and rivers
Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
Motor vehicles
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Pedestrians and bicycling
Public-private cooperation
Religion
Right of privacy
Roads and highways
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-31
text: 

Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California Lands Act or the PUBLIC Lands Act

This bill sets forth provisions concerning the restoration, economic development, and conservation of, and recreational access to, certain public lands in California.

The bill establishes

the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area,

the California Public Lands Remediation Partnership,

the Horse Mountain Special Management Area,

the Elk Camp Ridge Recreation Trail,

the Sanhedrin Special Conservation Management Area, and

the Condor National Scenic Trail.

The bill designates specified federal lands as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System or as potential wilderness areas and renames the North Fork Wilderness as the North Fork Eel River Wilderness. It also designates wild and scenic rivers.

The bill

authorizes the utilization of certain forest residues for research and development of biobased products that result in net carbon sequestration,

authorizes initiatives to restore degraded redwood forest ecosystems in the Redwood National Forest and state parks,

requires specified recreational studies and partnerships, and

expands the boundaries of the Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

Finally, the bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to issue a special use authorization to the owners of a water transport or diversion facility in the Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness for the continued operation, maintenance, and reconstruction of the facility if specified conditions are met.
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 525.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 118-232.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 118-232.
action_date: 2023-12-14
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2023-07-12
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 118-285.
action_date: 2023-05-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1846-1847)
action_date: 2023-05-31
text: Introduced in Senate