Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act

Bill: 118-hr-1380
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Curtis, John R. [R-UT-3]
Introduced: 2023-03-07
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land use and conservation

Outdoor recreation

Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Latest action: action_date: 2024-12-19
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 774.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-03-07
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Protecting America's Rock Climbing Act</strong></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior to issue guidance on managing recreational climbing in designated wilderness areas.</p> <p>Specifically, such departments must issue guidance not later than 18 months after this bill's enactment. </p> <p>No significant management action may be taken without notice to the public and an opportunity to comment on the proposed action, with an exception for limited emergency action (time sensitive action necessary to protect natural resources or public health and safety).</p>

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 774 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 1380 [Report No. 118–749, Part I] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 7, 2023 Mr. Curtis (for himself and Mr. Neguse ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources , and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned November 18, 2024 Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic November 18, 2024 Referral to the Committee on Agriculture extended for a period ending not later than December 19, 2024 December 19, 2024 Additional sponsors: Ms. Stansbury , Ms. Lee of Nevada , Mr. Edwards , Mr. Lieu and Mr. Fitzpatrick December 19, 2024 Committee on Agriculture discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 7, 2023 A BILL To require the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to issue guidance on climbing management in designated wilderness areas, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act . 2. Guidance on climbing (a) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, each Secretary concerned shall issue guidance for recreational climbing activities on covered Federal land. (b) Applicable law The guidance issued under subsection (a) shall ensure that recreational climbing activities comply with the laws (including regulations) applicable to the covered Federal land. (c) Wilderness areas The guidance issued under subsection (a) shall recognize that recreational climbing (including the use, placement, and maintenance of fixed anchors) is an appropriate use within a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, if undertaken— (1) in accordance with the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq. ) and other applicable laws (including regulations); and (2) subject to any terms and conditions determined by the Secretary concerned to be appropriate. (d) Authorization The guidance issued under subsection (a) shall describe the requirements, if any, for the placement and maintenance of fixed anchors for recreational climbing in a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, including any terms and conditions determined by the Secretary concerned to be appropriate, which may be issued programmatically or on a case-by-case basis. (e) Existing routes The guidance issued under subsection (a) shall include direction providing for the continued use and maintenance of recreational climbing routes (including fixed anchors along the routes) in existence as of the date of enactment of this Act, in accordance with this Act. (f) Public comment Before finalizing the guidance issued under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall provide opportunities for public comment with respect to the guidance. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered Federal land The term covered Federal land — (A) means the lands described in subparagraph (A) and (B) of paragraph (2); and (B) includes components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. (2) Secretary concerned The term Secretary concerned means— (A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System lands; and (B) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to lands under the jurisdiction of such Secretary.

December 19, 2024 Committee on Agriculture discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1380 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 7, 2023 Mr. Curtis (for himself and Mr. Neguse ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources , and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To require the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to issue guidance on climbing management in designated wilderness areas, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act . 2. Guidance on climbing management in designated wilderness areas (a) Climbing guidance required (1) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall issue guidance on climbing management in designated wilderness areas that recognizes the appropriateness of the allowable activities described in paragraph (2) in such areas, if the allowable activities are undertaken in accordance with— (A) the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq. ); (B) other applicable laws (including regulations); and (C) any terms and conditions that are determined to be necessary by the Secretary concerned. (2) Allowable activities The allowable activities referred to in paragraph (1) are— (A) recreational climbing; (B) the placement, use, and maintenance of fixed anchors; and (C) the use of other equipment necessary for recreational climbing. (b) Public notice and comment (1) Requirement Except as provided in paragraph (2), prior to taking any significant management action affecting the allowable activities described in subsection (a)(2) on the land described in subsection (c)(1)(B), the Secretary concerned shall provide the public with notice and an opportunity to comment on the proposed action. (2) Exception with respect to emergency actions Paragraph (1) shall not apply to an emergency action that has a duration of less than 2 years. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Designated wilderness area The term designated wilderness area means an area— (A) designated as a wilderness area pursuant to the Wilderness Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq. ); and (B) located in— (i) National Forest System lands; or (ii) lands under the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior. (2) Emergency action The term emergency action means a time sensitive action necessary to protect natural resources or public health and safety. (3) Secretary concerned The term Secretary concerned means— (A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System lands; and (B) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to lands under the administrative jurisdiction of such Secretary.