Sutton Mountain and Painted Hills Area Wildfire Resiliency Preservation and Economic Enhancement Act

Bill: 118-s-5360
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2024-11-20
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest action: action_date: 2024-11-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5360 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 20, 2024 Mr. Merkley (for himself and Mr. Wyden ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To establish the Sutton Mountain National Monument, to authorize certain land exchanges in the State of Oregon, to convey certain Bureau of Land Management land in the State of Oregon to the city of Mitchell, Oregon, for conservation, economic, and community development purposes, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Sutton Mountain and Painted Hills Area Wildfire Resiliency Preservation and Economic Enhancement Act . 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Active habitat restoration The term active habitat restoration means, with respect to an area, to restore and enhance the ecological health of the area through the use of management tools consistent with this Act. (2) City The term City means the city of Mitchell, Oregon. (3) County The term County means Wheeler County, Oregon. (4) Ecological health The term ecological health means the ability of the ecological processes of a native ecosystem to function in a manner that maintains the structure, composition, activity, and resilience of the ecosystem over time, including an ecologically appropriate diversity of plant and animal communities, habitats, and conditions that are sustainable through successional processes. (5) Indian Tribe The term Indian Tribe has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 ). (6) Landowner The term landowner means an owner of non-Federal land that enters into a land exchange with the Secretary under section 4(a). (7) Lower Unit The term Lower Unit means the area that consists of the approximately 27,184 acres of land generally depicted as Proposed National Monument-Lower Unit on the Map. (8) Management plan The term management plan means the management plan for the Monument developed by the Secretary under section 3(d)(2). (9) Map The term Map means the map prepared by the Bureau of Land Management entitled Sutton Complex-Painted Hills National Monument Proposal and dated November 12, 2024. (10) Monument The term Monument means the Sutton Mountain National Monument established by section 3(a). (11) Passive habitat management The term passive habitat management means those actions that are proposed or implemented to address degraded or non-functioning resource conditions that are expected to improve the ecological health of the area without additional on-the-ground actions, such that resource objectives and desired outcomes are anticipated to be reached without additional human intervention. (12) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. (13) State The term State means the State of Oregon. (14) Upper Unit The term Upper Unit means the area that consists of the approximately 38,023 acres of land generally depicted as Proposed National Monument-Upper Unit on the Map. 3. Establishment of Sutton Mountain National Monument (a) In general There is established in the State the Sutton Mountain National Monument, consisting of the following 2 management units, as generally depicted on the Map: (1) Upper Unit. (2) Lower Unit. (b) Purpose The purpose of the Monument is to conserve, protect, and manage the long-term ecological integrity of Sutton Mountain and the surrounding area for the benefit of present and future generations. (c) Objectives To further the purpose of the Monument described in subsection (b), and consistent with that purpose, the Secretary shall manage the Monument for the benefit of present and future generations— (1) to conserve, interpret, and enhance for the benefit of present and future generations the paleontological and cultural resources of Sutton Mountain and the surrounding area; (2) to promote the scientific and educational values of the Monument; (3) to maintain sustainable grazing on the Federal land within the Upper Unit and Lower Unit, in accordance with applicable Federal law; (4) to promote recreation, historical, cultural, and other uses that are sustainable, in accordance with applicable Federal law; (5) to ensure the conservation, protection, restoration, and improved management of the ecological, social, and economic environment of the Monument, including geological, paleontological, biological, wildlife, riparian, and scenic resources; and (6) to restore wildfire resiliency within the Monument and the surrounding area, including through juniper removal and habitat restoration, as appropriate. (d) Management authorities (1) In general The Secretary (acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management) shall manage the Monument in accordance with— (A) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. ) and other applicable laws; and (B) this Act. (2) Management plan (A) In general Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a comprehensive management plan for the long-term conservation and management of the Monument that fulfills the purpose of the Monument described in subsection (b). (B) Requirements The management plan developed under subparagraph (A) shall— (i) describe the appropriate uses and management of each of the Upper Unit and the Lower Unit, consistent with the purposes and objectives of this Act; (ii) include an assessment of ecological conditions of the Monument, including an assessment of— (I) the status, causes, and rate of juniper encroachments at the Monument; and (II) the ecological impacts of the juniper encroachments at the Monument; (iii) identify science-based, short-term and long-term, active habitat restoration and passive habitat management actions— (I) to reduce wildfire risk and improve the resilience of native plant communities; and (II) to restore historical native vegetation communities, including the prioritization of the removal of invasive annual grasses and juniper trees in the Lower Unit; (iv) include a habitat restoration opportunities component that prioritizes— (I) restoration within the Lower Unit; and (II) maintenance of the existing wilderness characteristics of the Upper Unit; (v) include a riparian conservation and restoration component to support anadromous and other native fish, wildlife, and other riparian resources and values in the monument; (vi) include a recreational enhancement component that prioritizes— (I) new and expanded opportunities for mechanized and nonmechanized recreation in the Lower Unit; and (II) enhancing nonmechanized, primitive, and unconfined recreation opportunities in the Upper Unit; (vii) include an active habitat restoration component that prioritizes, with respect to the Lower Unit— (I) the restoration of native ecosystems; (II) the enhancement of recreation and grazing activities; and (III) activities that will reduce wildfire risk; (viii) include a passive habitat management component that prioritizes, with respect to the Upper Unit— (I) the restoration of native ecosystems; and (II) management activities that will reduce the risk of wildfire; (ix) determine measurable and achievable management objectives, consistent with the management objectives described in subsection (c), to ensure the ecological health of the Monument; (x) develop a monitoring program for the Monument so that progress towards ecological health objectives can be determined; (xi) include, as an integral part, a comprehensive transportation plan developed in accordance with subsection (e); and (xii) include, as an integral part, a wildfire mitigation plan developed in accordance with paragraph (4). (3) Wildfire risk assessment Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Governor’s Council on Wildfire Response of the State, shall conduct a wildfire risk assessment of the Upper Unit and the Lower Unit. (4) Wildfire mitigation plan (A) In general Not later than 2 years after the date on which the wildfire risk assessment is conducted under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall develop, based on the wildfire risk assessment, a wildfire mitigation plan as part of the management plan developed under paragraph (2) that identifies, evaluates, and prioritizes management activities that can be implemented in the Lower Unit to mitigate wildfire risk to structures and communities located near the Monument. (B) Plan components The wildfire mitigation plan developed under subparagraph (A) shall include— (i) appropriate vegetation management projects (including mechanical treatments to reduce hazardous fuels and improve ecological health and resiliency); (ii) necessary evacuation routes for communities located near the Monument, to be developed in consultation with the State and local fire agencies; (iii) strategies for public dissemination of emergency evacuation plans and routes; (iv) appropriate passive habitat management activities; and (v) strategies or management requirements to protect items of value identified at the Monument, consistent with the applicable fire management plan and the document prepared by the National Interagency Fire Center entitled Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations or successor interagency agreement or guidance. (C) Applicable law The wildfire mitigation plan under subparagraph (A) shall be developed in accordance with— (i) this Act; and (ii) any other applicable law. (5) Temporary roads (A) In general Consistent with the purposes of this Act and the comprehensive transportation plan under subsection (e), the Secretary may travel off-road or establish temporary roads within the Lower Unit to implement the wildfire mitigation plan developed under paragraph (4). (B) Effect on wildfire management Nothing in this section affects the authority of the Secretary, in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local agencies, as appropriate, to conduct wildland fire operations at the Monument, consistent with the purposes of this Act. (6) Incorporation of acquired land and interests in land Any land or interest in land within the boundary of the Monument or adjacent to the Monument that is acquired by the United States shall— (A) become part of the Monument; and (B) be managed in accordance with— (i) this Act; and (ii) applicable Federal laws. (e) Comprehensive transportation plan (1) In general The Secretary shall develop as part of the management plan a comprehensive transportation plan for the Monument, which shall address— (A) motorized, mechanized, and nonmotorized use; (B) the maintenance and closure of motorized and nonmotorized routes; and (C) travel access. (2) Prohibition of motorized and mechanized use in the upper unit Except as provided in paragraphs (3) through (6), motorized and mechanized use shall be prohibited in the Upper Unit. (3) Prohibition of off-road motorized travel Except in cases in which motorized or mechanized vehicles are needed for administrative purposes, ecological restoration projects, or to respond to an emergency, the use of motorized or mechanized vehicles in the Monument shall be permitted only on routes designated by the transportation plan developed under paragraph (1). (4) Prohibition of new construction No new motorized routes of any type shall be constructed within the Monument, except that the Secretary may— (A) develop temporary motorized routes in the Lower Unit to assist with management activities consistent with the management plan; (B) authorize the construction and maintenance of motorized trailhead access routes and parking areas within the Monument within 100 yards of an existing roadway; and (C) construct a new motorized route if the Secretary determines, in consultation with the public, that the motorized route is necessary for public safety in the Upper Unit or Lower Unit. (5) Trails Nothing in this subsection limits the authority of the Secretary— (A) to construct or maintain trails for nonmotorized or nonmechanized use in the Upper Unit or Lower Unit; or (B) to construct mechanized trails in the Lower Unit. (6) Access to inholdings The Secretary shall provide reasonable access to inholdings within the boundaries of the Monument to provide private landowners the reasonable use of the inholdings. (7) Modifications to existing roads (A) In general Consistent with the purposes of this Act, the existing roads described in subparagraph (B) may be modified or altered, as the Secretary determines to be necessary to support use of motorized or mechanized vehicles for access, utility development, or public safety. (B) Description of roads The roads referred to in subparagraph (A) are Burnt Ranch Road, South Twickenham Road, Girds Creek Road, and the Logging Road, as depicted on the Map. (C) Right-of-way The Secretary shall grant to the County a right-of-way for maintenance and repair of, and safety improvements for, South Twickenham Road and Girds Creek Road. (f) Grazing (1) In general The grazing of livestock in the Monument, if established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be allowed to continue— (A) subject to— (i) such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the Secretary considers necessary; and (ii) applicable law (including regulations); and (B) in a manner consistent with the authorities described in subsection (d). (2) Voluntary relinquishment of grazing permits or leases (A) Acceptance by Secretary The Secretary shall accept the voluntary relinquishment of any valid existing permits or leases authorizing grazing on public land, all or a portion of which is within the Monument. (B) Termination With respect to each permit or lease voluntarily relinquished under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall— (i) terminate the grazing permit or lease; and (ii) ensure a permanent end to grazing on the land covered by the permit or lease. (C) Partial relinquishment (i) In general If a person holding a valid grazing permit or lease voluntarily and permanently relinquishes less than the full level of grazing use authorized under the permit or lease under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall— (I) reduce the authorized grazing level to reflect the voluntary relinquishment; and (II) modify the permit or lease to reflect the revised level. (ii) Authorized level To ensure that there is a permanent reduction in the authorized level of grazing on the land covered by a permit or lease voluntarily relinquished under clause (i), the Secretary shall not allow grazing use to exceed the authorized level established under that clause. (g) Prohibition on construction of new facilities No new facilities may be constructed in the Monument unless the Secretary determines that the facility— (1) will be minimal in nature; (2) is consistent with the purpose of the Monument described in subsection (b); and (3) is necessary— (A) to enhance botanical, fish, wildlife, or watershed conditions; (B) to provide for public information, health, or safety; (C) for the management of livestock; or (D) for the management, but not promotion, of recreation. (h) Release of wilderness study area (1) Finding Congress finds that the portions of Federal land within the Monument designated as a wilderness study area under section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1712 ) as of the date of enactment of this Act have been adequately studied for wilderness designation. (2) Release The portions of Federal land described in paragraph (1)— (A) are no longer subject to management as a wilderness study area; and (B) shall be managed in accordance with— (i) this Act; and (ii) all other applicable land use plan decisions adopted under section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1712 ), which may include management for the protection of wilderness characteristics. (i) Effect on existing rights and fish and wildlife management Nothing in this section— (1) terminates any valid right-of-way on land included in the Monument that is in existence on the date of enactment of this Act; (2) affects the ability of an owner of a private inholding within, or private land adjoining, the boundary of the Monument to obtain permits or easements from any Federal agency with jurisdiction over the Monument to support existing uses, access, management, or maintenance of the private property; or (3) diminishes the authority of the State to manage fish and wildlife (including the regulation of fishing and hunting within the Monument). (j) Water Rights and Infrastructure Nothing in this section— (1) constitutes an express or implied claim or denial on the part of the Federal Government regarding an exemption from State water laws; or (2) prohibits access to existing water infrastructure within the boundaries of the Monument. (k) Tribal rights Nothing in this section alters, modifies, enlarges, diminishes, or abrogates the treaty rights of any Indian Tribe. 4. Land exchanges (a) Authorization (1) Faulkner exchange (A) In general Subject to subsections (b) through (h), if the owner of the non-Federal land described in subparagraph (B)(i) offers to convey to the United States all right, title, and interest of the landowner in and to the non-Federal land, the Secretary shall— (i) accept the offer; and (ii) on receipt of acceptable title to the non-Federal land and subject to valid existing rights, convey to the landowner all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Federal land described in subparagraph (B)(ii). (B) Description of land (i) Non-federal land The non-Federal land referred to in subparagraph (A) is the approximately 15 acres of non-Federal land identified on the Map as Faulkner to BLM . (ii) Federal land The Federal land referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) is the approximately 10 acres of Federal land identified on the Map as BLM to Faulkner . (2) Quant exchange (A) In general Subject to subsections (b) through (h), if the owner of the non-Federal land described in subparagraph (B)(i) offers to convey to the United States all right, title, and interest of the landowner in and to the non-Federal land, the Secretary shall— (i) accept the offer; and (ii) on receipt of acceptable title to the non-Federal land and subject to valid existing rights, convey to the landowner all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Federal land described in subparagraph (B)(ii). (B) Description of land (i) Non-federal land The non-Federal land referred to in subparagraph (A) is the approximately 236 acres of non-Federal land identified on the Map as Quant to BLM . (ii) Federal land The Federal land referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) is the approximately 271 acres of Federal land identified on the Map as BLM to Quant . (3) Twickenham livestock llc exchange (A) In general Subject to subsections (b) through (h), if the owner of the non-Federal land described in subparagraph (B)(i) offers to convey to the United States all right, title, and interest of the landowner in and to the non-Federal land, the Secretary shall— (i) accept the offer; and (ii) on receipt of acceptable title to the non-Federal land and subject to valid existing rights, convey to the landowner all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the Federal land described in subparagraph (B)(ii). (B) Description of land (i) Non-federal land The non-Federal land referred to in subparagraph (A) is the approximately 574 acres of non-Federal land identified on the Map as Twickenham to BLM . (ii) Federal land The Federal land referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) is the approximately 566 acres of Federal land identified on the Map as BLM to Twickenham . (b) Applicable law Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary shall carry out each land exchange under subsection (a) in accordance with section 206 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1716 ). (c) Conditions Each land exchange under subsection (a) shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require. (d) Equal value exchange (1) In general The value of the Federal land and non-Federal land to be exchanged under subsection (a)— (A) shall be equal; or (B) shall be made equal in accordance with paragraph (2). (2) Equalization (A) Surplus of Federal land If the value of Federal land exceeds the value of non-Federal land to be conveyed under a land exchange authorized under subsection (a), the value of the Federal land and non-Federal land shall be equalized by reducing the acreage of the Federal land to be conveyed, as determined to be appropriate and acceptable by the Secretary and the landowner. (B) Surplus of non-Federal land If the value of the non-Federal land exceeds the value of the Federal land, the value of the Federal land and non-Federal land shall be equalized by reducing the acreage of the non-Federal land to be conveyed, as determined to be appropriate and acceptable by the Secretary and the landowner. (e) Appraisals (1) In general As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the landowner shall select an appraiser to conduct an appraisal of the Federal land and non-Federal land to be exchanged under subsection (a). (2) Requirements An appraisal under paragraph (1) shall be conducted in accordance with nationally recognized appraisal standards, including— (A) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; and (B) the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. (f) Surveys (1) In general The exact acreage and legal description of the Federal land and non-Federal land to be exchanged under subsection (a) shall be determined by surveys approved by the Secretary. (2) Costs The Secretary and the landowner shall divide equally between the Secretary and the landowner— (A) the costs of any surveys conducted under paragraph (1); and (B) any other administrative costs of carrying out the land exchange under this section. (g) Valid existing rights The exchange of Federal land and non-Federal land under subsection (a) shall be subject to any easements, rights-of-way, and other valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act. (h) Deadline for completion of land exchange It is the intent of Congress that the land exchanges under subsection (a) be completed by the date that is not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 5. Withdrawal (a) In general Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land and any interest in the Federal land included within the Monument is withdrawn from— (1) entry, appropriation, new rights-of-way, and disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) operation of— (A) the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws; and (B) except as provided in subsection (b), the minerals materials laws. (b) Road maintenance The Secretary shall continue to allow the operation, within the boundary of the Monument and in a manner consistent with the management of the Monument, of the following gravel pits that are used for the purpose of road construction and maintenance in the area surrounding the Monument: (1) The Owens Quarry, Meyers Canyon Quarry, and Monroe Pit operated by the Oregon Department of Transportation. (2) The gravel pit near Priest Hole operated by the County. 6. Treatment of State land and mineral interests (a) Acquisition required The Secretary shall acquire, for approximately equal value and as agreed to by the Secretary and the State, any land and interests in land owned by the State within the area withdrawn by section 5(a). (b) Acquisition methods The Secretary shall acquire the State land and interests in land under subsection (a) in exchange for— (1) the conveyance of Federal land or Federal mineral interests that are outside the boundaries of the area withdrawn by section 5(a); (2) a payment to the State; or (3) a combination of the methods described in paragraphs (1) and (2). 7. Conveyances of Bureau of Land Management land to the city of Mitchell, Oregon (a) In general Notwithstanding the land use planning requirements of sections 202 and 203 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1712 , 1713), on the request of the City, the Secretary shall convey to the City, without consideration, the approximately 1,327 acres of Federal land generally depicted on the Map as City of Mitchell Conveyance . (b) Interim management Until the date on which the applicable parcel of Federal land described in subsection (a) is conveyed to the City under that subsection, the Secretary shall continue to manage the applicable parcel of Federal land. (c) Use of conveyed land The Federal land conveyed under subsection (a) shall be used for recreation or other public purposes consistent with the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly known as the Recreation and Public Purposes Act ) (44 Stat. 741, chapter 578; 43 U.S.C. 869 et seq. ). (d) Map and legal descriptions (1) In general As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall finalize legal descriptions of the parcels of Federal land to be conveyed under subsection (a). (2) Corrections of errors The Secretary may correct minor errors in the Map or the legal descriptions. (3) Availability The Map and legal descriptions shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management. (e) Tribal rights Nothing in this section alters, modifies, enlarges, diminishes, or abrogates the treaty rights of any Indian Tribe. (f) Reversion (1) In general If any parcel of land conveyed under subsection (a) ceases to be used for the purposes described in subsection (c), the land shall, at the discretion of the Secretary based on the determination of the Secretary of the best interests of the United States, revert to the United States. (2) Responsibility of local governmental entity If the Secretary determines under paragraph (1) that a parcel of land should revert to the United States and that the parcel of land is contaminated with hazardous waste, the City shall be responsible for remediation of the contamination. 8. Coordination with units of local government The Secretary shall coordinate with units of local government, including the County commission and the City, in accordance with section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1712 ) and section 1610.3–1 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation) in— (1) developing the management plan; (2) prioritizing implementation of project-level activities under the management plan; (3) developing activities that implement the management plan; and (4) carrying out any other activities under this Act. 9. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.