Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-2665
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6]
Introduced: 2015-06-04
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Forests, forestry, trees

Washington State

Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Latest action: action_date: 2015-06-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-06-04
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 2015 </b></p> <p> Designates certain federal land in the Olympic National Forest in the state of Washington as wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Designates certain other land, identified on the same map as such proposed areas, as potential wilderness. </p> <p>Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate as wild, scenic, or recreational rivers specified segments of the following rivers in the state of Washington:</p> <ul> <li>Elwha River;</li> <li>Dungeness River;</li> <li>Big Quilcene River;</li> <li>Dosewallips River;</li> <li>Duckabush River;</li> <li>Hamma Hamma River;</li> <li>South Fork Skokomish River;</li> <li>Middle Fork Satsop River;</li> <li>West Fork Satsop River;</li> <li>Wynoochee River;</li> <li>East Fork Humptulips River;</li> <li>West Fork Humptulips River;</li> <li>Quinault River;</li> <li>Queets River;</li> <li>Hoh River;</li> <li>Bogachiel River;</li> <li>South Fork Calawah River;</li> <li>Sol Duc River; and</li> <li>Lyre River.</li> </ul> <p>Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to take necessary measures to control fire, insects, and diseases in the wilderness areas designated by this Act. </p> <p>Withdraws the federal land within the boundaries of the designated river segments from: (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 relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials. </p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2665 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 4, 2015 Mr. Kilmer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To designate and expand wilderness areas in Olympic National Forest in the State of Washington, and to designate certain rivers in Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park as wild and scenic rivers, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 2015 . 2. Findings Congress finds that— (1) wilderness and wild and scenic river designations provide myriad benefits to the local community and beyond, including— (A) recreation, as evidenced by the more than 12,000,000 visitors each year to wilderness areas who participate in recreation activities such as hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, skiing, climbing, camping, and floating and rafting; (B) wildlife habitat, by providing permanent and durable protection for habitat for varied wildlife species, including endangered species; (C) clean water for local communities that rely on the Olympic National Forest as the source for clean and safe drinking water; (D) municipal watersheds for cities such as Port Townsend, Washington; (E) the ancient forests, salmon streams, and unique scenery of the Olympic National Forest, which provide local businesses with a competitive edge over other regions in attracting and retaining the talented people required by local companies; (F) the popular National Parks, monuments, wilderness areas, and other public land of the West, which have provided a competitive advantage to the growing high technology and professional services industries of the West, such as health care, education, and business, enabling the West to outperform the rest of the United States economy in key measures of growth, including employment, population, and personal income during the 4 decades immediately preceding the date of enactment of this Act; and (G) protecting and enhancing local travel, tourism, hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation industries; (2) under the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq. )— (A) land designated as wilderness protects ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, scenic, or historical value ; (B) Federal agencies retain the ability to use any means necessary to protect and control fire, insects, and diseases, subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and (C) wilderness designations do not apply to private land; (3) this Act does not designate private land inholdings as wilderness; (4) under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq. )— (A) certain rivers are preserved to safeguard outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values for current and future generations; (B) designation as a wild and scenic river does not give the Federal Government control over private property and provides no additional authority for expanding designated river segments, except as provided in this Act and other Acts; (C) existing water rights are not impacted; (D) the jurisdiction of the States and the Federal Government over waters are not impacted, as determined by established principles of law; and (E) river segments classified as scenic or recreational allow construction of new access points, restoration thinning, and motorized access; (5) the areas protected under this Act unquestionably meet all requirements under Federal law (including regulations), as the areas contain— (A) old growth stands, temperate rain forests, and large swaths of roadless forests, more than 99 percent of which could not be commercially harvested under existing Federal law (including regulations); (B) the wilderness areas established under this Act are areas that are prized by hikers, hunters, anglers, and others and will be preserved and protected for recreational enjoyment for generations to come; and (C) rivers and tributaries that— (i) are a source of clean water for many communities on the Olympic Peninsula; and (ii) provide important habitat for salmon and other species of fish and supply the cold freshwater that feeds the Puget Sound and creates the necessary conditions for clams, oysters, and mussels, whose growers contribute more than $250,000,000 to the economy and support thousands of jobs in the State of Washington; (6) as a result of this Act— (A) no roads would be closed; (B) management decisions by local Forest Service managers as to which roads should be closed, maintained, or remain open for public access will not be impacted and any ongoing travel management processes will continue to be the manner by which those decisions are made, along with public input; and (C) no private land would be subject to management under the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq. ) or the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq. ); (7) private property rights are central to the United States and the economy of the United States, and it shall be the policy of the United States to encourage, support, and promote the private ownership of property to ensure that the constitutional and other legal rights of private property owners are not abridged by the Federal Government; (8) the Olympic Peninsula is home to 8 federally recognized Indian tribes; and (9) the United States acknowledges the trust obligations of the Federal Government to Indian tribes and recognizes that— (A) the case styled United States v. Washington (384 F. Supp. 312) guaranteed certain Indian tribes in the State of Washington harvest rights to Pacific salmon, leading to employment opportunities for tribal members; (B) tribal governments provide a wide range of critical services to enrolled members, including education and cultural activities; (C) Indian tribes engage in ongoing efforts to restore and improve salmon populations and habitat across the Olympic Peninsula, frequently in conjunction with Federal, State, and local governments and private stakeholders; and (D) ongoing tribal efforts to protect and improve salmon habitat and the habitats of other threatened species populations are encouraged and supported in order to support the long-term health of the ecosystem and the economic benefit those resources provide. 3. Designation of Olympic National Forest wilderness areas (a) In General In furtherance of the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq. ), the following Federal land in the Olympic National Forest in the State of Washington comprising approximately 126,554 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and dated May 29, 2012 (referred to in this section as the map ), is designated as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Lost Creek Wilderness Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 7,159 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the Lost Creek Wilderness . (2) Rugged Ridge Wilderness Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 5,956 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the Rugged Ridge Wilderness . (3) Alckee Creek Wilderness Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 1,787 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the Alckee Creek Wilderness . (4) Gates of the Elwha Wilderness Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 5,669 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the Gates of the Elwha Wilderness . (5) Buckhorn Wilderness additions Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 21,965 acres, as generally depicted on the map, is incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the Buckhorn Wilderness , as designated by section 3 of the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984 ( 16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–339 ). (6) Green Mountain Wilderness Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 4,790 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the Green Mountain Wilderness . (7) The Brothers Wilderness additions Certain land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 8,625 acres, as generally depicted on the map, is incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the The Brothers Wilderness , as designated by section 3 of the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984 ( 16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–339 ). (8) Mount Skokomish Wilderness additions Certain land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 8,933 acres, as generally depicted on the map, is incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the Mount Skokomish Wilderness , as designated by section 3 of the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984 ( 16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–339 ). (9) Wonder Mountain Wilderness additions Certain land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 26,517 acres, as generally depicted on the map, is incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the Wonder Mountain Wilderness , as designated by section 3 of the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984 ( 16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–339 ). (10) Moonlight Dome Wilderness Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 9,117 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the Moonlight Dome Wilderness . (11) South Quinault Ridge Wilderness Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 10,887 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the South Quinault Ridge Wilderness . (12) Colonel Bob Wilderness additions Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 353 acres, as generally depicted on the map, is incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the Colonel Bob Wilderness , as designated by section 3 of the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984 ( 16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–339 ). (13) Sam’s River Wilderness Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 13,418 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the Sam’s River Wilderness . (14) Canoe Creek Wilderness Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 1,378 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the Canoe Creek Wilderness . (b) Administration (1) Management Subject to valid existing rights, the land designated as wilderness by subsection (a) shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the Secretary ), in accordance with the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq. ), except that any reference in that Act to the effective date of that Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Map and description (A) In general As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and a legal description of the land designated as wilderness by subsection (a) with— (i) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and (ii) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. (B) Effect Each map and legal description filed under subparagraph (A) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct minor errors in the map and legal description. (C) Public availability Each map and legal description filed under subparagraph (A) shall be filed and made available for public inspection in the appropriate office of the Forest Service. (c) Potential wilderness (1) In general In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq. ), certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 5,346 acres as identified as Potential Wilderness on the map, is designated as potential wilderness. (2) Designation as wilderness On the date on which the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register notice that any nonconforming uses in the potential wilderness designated by paragraph (1) have terminated, the potential wilderness shall be— (A) designated as wilderness and as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System; and (B) incorporated into the adjacent wilderness area. (d) Adjacent management (1) No protective perimeters or buffer zones The designations in this section shall not create a protective perimeter or buffer zone around any wilderness area. (2) Nonconforming uses permitted outside of boundaries of wilderness areas Any activity or use outside of the boundary of any wilderness area designated under this section shall be permitted even if the activity or use would be seen or heard within the boundary of the wilderness area. (e) Fire, insects, and diseases The Secretary may take such measures as are necessary to control fire, insects, and diseases, in the wilderness areas designated by this section, in accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1) ) and subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. 4. Wild and scenic river designations (a) In general Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1274(a) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (213) Elwha River, Washington The approximately 29.0-mile segment of the Elwha River and tributaries from the source to Cat Creek, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a wild river. (214) Dungeness River, Washington The segment of the Dungeness River from the headwaters to the State of Washington Department of Natural Resources land in T. 29 N., R. 4 W., sec. 12, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, except that portions of the river within the boundaries of Olympic National Park shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, including the following segments of the mainstem and major tributary the Gray Wolf River, in the following classes: (A) The approximately 5.8-mile segment of the Dungeness River from the headwaters to the 2860 Bridge, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 2.1-mile segment of the Dungeness River from the 2860 Bridge to Silver Creek, as a scenic river. (C) The approximately 2.7-mile segment of the Dungeness River from Silver Creek to Sleepy Hollow Creek, as a wild river. (D) The approximately 6.3-mile segment of the Dungeness River from Sleepy Hollow Creek to the Olympic National Forest boundary, as a scenic river. (E) The approximately 1.9-mile segment of the Dungeness River from the National Forest boundary to the State of Washington Department of Natural Resources land in T. 29 N., R. 4 W., sec. 12, as a recreational river. (F) The approximately 16.1-mile segment of the Gray Wolf River from the headwaters to the 2870 Bridge, as a wild river. (G) The approximately 1.1-mile segment of the Gray Wolf River from the 2870 Bridge to the confluence with the Dungeness River, as a scenic river. (215) Big Quilcene River, Washington The segment of the Big Quilcene River from the headwaters to the City of Port Townsend water intake facility, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, in the following classes: (A) The approximately 4.4-mile segment from the headwaters to the Buckhorn Wilderness boundary, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 5.3-mile segment from the Buckhorn Wilderness boundary to the City of Port Townsend water intake facility, as a scenic river. (C) Section 7(a), with respect to the licensing of dams, water conduits, reservoirs, powerhouses, transmission lines, or other project works, shall apply to the approximately 5-mile segment from the City of Port Townsend water intake facility to the Olympic National Forest boundary. (216) Dosewallips River, Washington The segment of the Dosewallips River from the headwaters to the private land in T. 26 N., R. 3 W., sec. 15, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, except that portions of the river within the boundaries of Olympic National Park shall by administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in the following classes: (A) The approximately 12.9-mile segment from the headwaters to Station Creek, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 6.8-mile segment from Station Creek to the private land in T. 26 N., R. 3 W., sec. 15, as a scenic river. (217) Duckabush River, Washington The segment of the Duckabush River from the headwaters to the private land in T. 25 N., R. 3 W., sec. 1, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, except that portions of the river within the boundaries of Olympic National Park shall by administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in the following classes: (A) The approximately 19.0-mile segment from the headwaters to the Brothers Wilderness boundary, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 1.9-mile segment from the Brothers Wilderness boundary to the private land in T. 25 N., R. 3 W., sec. 1, as a scenic river. (218) Hamma Hamma River, Washington The segment of the Hamma Hamma River from the headwaters to the eastern edge of the NW 1/4 sec. 21, T. 24 N., R. 3 W., to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, in the following classes: (A) The approximately 3.1-mile segment from the headwaters to the Mt. Skokomish Wilderness boundary, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 5.8-mile segment from the Mt. Skokomish Wilderness boundary to Lena Creek, as a scenic river. (C) The approximately 6.8-mile segment from Lena Creek to the eastern edge of the NW 1/4 sec. 21, T. 24 N., R. 3 W., as a recreational river. (219) South Fork Skokomish River, Washington The segment of the South Fork Skokomish River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Forest boundary to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, in the following classes: (A) The approximately 6.7-mile segment from the headwaters to Church Creek, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 8.3-mile segment from Church Creek to LeBar Creek, as a scenic river. (C) The approximately 4.0-mile segment from LeBar Creek to upper end of gorge in the NW 1/4 sec. 22, T. 22 N., R. 5 W., as a recreational river. (D) The approximately 6.0-mile segment from the upper end of the gorge to the Olympic National Forest boundary, as a scenic river. (220) Middle Fork Satsop River, Washington The approximately 7.9-mile segment of the Middle Fork Satsop River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Forest boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, as a scenic river. (221) West Fork Satsop River, Washington The approximately 8.2-mile segment of the West Fork Satsop River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Forest boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, as a scenic river. (222) Wynoochee River, Washington The segment of the Wynoochee River from the headwaters to the head of Wynoochee Reservoir to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, except that portions of the river within the boundaries of Olympic National Park shall by administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in the following classes: (A) The approximately 2.5-mile segment from the headwaters to the boundary of the Wonder Mountain Wilderness, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 7.4-mile segment from the boundary of the Wonder Mountain Wilderness to the head of Wynoochee Reservoir, as a recreational river. (223) East Fork Humptulips River, Washington The segment of the East Fork Humptulips River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Forest boundary to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, in the following classes: (A) The approximately 7.4-mile segment from the headwaters to the Moonlight Dome Wilderness boundary, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 10.3-mile segment from the Moonlight Dome Wilderness boundary to the Olympic National Forest boundary, as a scenic river. (224) West Fork Humptulips River, Washington The approximately 21.4-mile segment of the West Fork Humptulips River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Forest Boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, as a scenic river. (225) Quinault River, Washington The segment of the Quinault River from the headwaters to private land in T. 24 N., R. 8 W., sec. 33, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in the following classes: (A) The approximately 16.5-mile segment from the headwaters to Graves Creek, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 6.7-mile segment from Graves Creek to Cannings Creek, as a scenic river. (C) The approximately 1.0-mile segment from Cannings Creek to private land in T. 24 N., R. 8 W., sec. 33, as a recreational river. (226) Queets River, Washington The segment of the Queets River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Park boundary to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, except that portions of the river outside the boundaries of Olympic National Park shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, including the following segments of the mainstem and certain tributaries in the following classes: (A) The approximately 28.6-mile segment of the Queets River from the headwaters to the confluence with Sams River, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 16.0-mile segment of the Queets River from the confluence with Sams River to the Olympic National Park boundary, as a scenic river. (C) The approximately 15.7-mile segment of the Sams River from the headwaters to the confluence with the Queets River, as a scenic river. (D) The approximately 17.7-mile segment of Matheny Creek from the headwaters to the confluence with the Queets River, as a scenic river. (227) Hoh River, Washington The segment of the Hoh River and the major tributary South Fork Hoh from the headwaters to Olympic National Park boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in the following classes: (A) The approximately 20.7-mile segment of the Hoh River from the headwaters to Jackson Creek, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 6.0-mile segment of the Hoh River from Jackson Creek to the Olympic National Park boundary, as a scenic river. (C) The approximately 13.8-mile segment of the South Fork Hoh River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Park boundary, as a wild river. (D) The approximately 4.6-mile segment of the South Fork Hoh River from the Olympic National Park boundary to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources boundary in T. 27 N., R. 10 W., sec. 29, as a recreational river. (228) Bogachiel River, Washington The approximately 25.6-mile segment of the Bogachiel River from the source to the Olympic National Park boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, as a wild river. (229) South Fork Calawah River, Washington The segment of the South Fork Calawah River and the major tributary Sitkum River from the headwaters to Hyas Creek to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, except those portions of the river within the boundaries of Olympic National Park shall by administered by the Secretary of the Interior, including the following segments in the following classes: (A) The approximately 15.7-mile segment of the South Fork Calawah River from the headwaters to the Sitkum River, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 0.9-mile segment of the South Fork Calawah River from the Sitkum River to Hyas Creek, as a scenic river. (C) The approximately 1.6-mile segment of the Sitkum River from the headwaters to the Rugged Ridge Wilderness boundary, as a wild river. (D) The approximately 11.9-mile segment of the Sitkum River from the Rugged Ridge Wilderness boundary to the confluence with the South Fork Calawah, as a scenic river. (230) Sol Duc River, Washington The segment of the Sol Duc River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Park boundary to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, including the following segments of the mainstem and certain tributaries in the following classes: (A) The approximately 7.0-mile segment of the Sol Duc River from the headwaters to the end of Sol Duc Hot Springs Road, as a wild river. (B) The approximately 10.8-mile segment of the Sol Duc River from the end of Sol Duc Hot Springs Road to the Olympic National Park boundary, as a scenic river. (C) The approximately 14.2-mile segment of the North Fork Sol Duc River from the headwaters to the Olympic Hot Springs Road bridge, as a wild river. (D) The approximately 0.2-mile segment of the North Fork Sol Duc River from the Olympic Hot Springs Road bridge to the confluence with the Sol Duc River, as a scenic river. (E) The approximately 8.0-mile segment of the South Fork Sol Duc River from the headwaters to the confluence with the Sol Duc River, as a scenic river. (231) Lyre River, Washington The approximately 0.2-mile segment of the Lyre River from Lake Crescent to the Olympic National Park boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a scenic river. . (b) Effect The amendment made by subsection (a) does not affect valid existing water rights. 5. Existing rights and withdrawal (a) In general In accordance with section 12(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1283(b) ), nothing in this Act or the amendment made by section 4(a) affects or abrogates existing rights, privileges, or contracts held by private parties. (b) Withdrawal Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land within the boundaries of the river segments designated by this Act and the amendment made by section 4(a) 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 (3) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials. 6. Treaty rights Nothing in this Act alters, modifies, diminishes, or extinguishes the reserved treaty rights of any Indian tribe with hunting, fishing, gathering, and cultural or religious rights in the Olympic National Forest as protected by a treaty.