Ouachita National Forest Overnight Camping Act

Bill: 117-hr-9029
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4]
Introduced: 2022-09-29
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Arkansas

Forests, forestry, trees

Outdoor recreation

Sports and recreation facilities
Latest action: action_date: 2022-09-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-09-29
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Ouachita National Forest Overnight Camping Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the identification and development of campsites and related facilities in the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9029 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 29, 2022 Mr. Westerman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL 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.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ouachita National Forest Overnight Camping Act . 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.