An Act to designate certain lands as wilderness.
PL 94-557 (S.1026), enacted 10/19/1976

PUBLIC LAW 94-557—OCT. 19, 1976 
90 STAT. 2633 
Public Law 94-557 
94th Congress 
An Act 
To designate certain lands as wilderness. 
Oct. 19, 1976 
[S. 1026] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ 
Wilderness 
areas. 
DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS WITHIN THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE 
REFUGE SYSTEM 
SECTION 1. In accordance with subsection 3(c) of the Wilderness Act 
(78 Stat. 892), the following lands are hereby designated as wilderness 16 USC 1132 
and, therefore, as components of the National Wildnerness Preserva- "o^^-
tion System: 
(a) certain lands in the Simeonof National Wildlife Refuge, 
Alaska, which comprise approximately twenty-five thousand one 
hundred and forty-one acres, which are depicted on a map entitled 
"Simeonof Wilderness Proposal", dated January 1971, and which 
shall be known as the Simeonof Wilderness; 
(b) certain lands in the Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 
Arkansas, which comprise approximately two thousand six hun-
dred acres, which are depicted on a map entitled "Big Lake 
Wilderness Proposal", dated June 1976, and which shall be known 
as the Big Lake Wilderness; 
(c) certain lands in the Chassahowitzka National AVildlife 
Refuge, Florida, which comprise approximately twenty-three 
thousand three hundred and sixty acres, which are depicted on a 
map entitled "Chassahowitzka Wilderness Proposal", dated 
March 1975, and which shall be known as the Chassahowitzka 
Wilderness; 
(d) certain lands in the J. N. "Ding" Darling-National Wildlife 
Refuge, Florida, which comprise approximately two thousand 
eight hundred and twenty-five acres, which are depicted on a map 
entitled "J. N. 'Ding' Darling Wilderness Proposal", dated March 
1975, and which shall be known as the J. N. "Ding" Darling 
Wilderness; 
(e) certain lands in the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife 
Refuge, Florida, which comprise approximately one thousand one 
hundred and forty-six acres, which are depicted on a map entitled 
"Lake Woodruff Wilderness Proposal", dated June 1976, and 
which shall be known as the Lake Woodruff Wilderness; 
(f) certain lands in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife 
Refuge, Illinois, which comprise approximately four thousand 
and fifty acres, which are depicted on a map entitled "Crab 
Orchard Wilderness Proposal", dated January 1973, and which 
shall be known as the Crab Orchard Wilderness; 
(g) certain lands in the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge, 
Louisiana, which comprise approximately three thousand three 
hundred acres, which are depicted on a map entitled "Lacassine 
Wilderness Proposal", dated June 1976, and which shall be known 
as the Lacassine Wilderness; 
(h) certain lands in the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, 
Minnesota, which comprise approximately four thousand acres, 
00 STAT. 2634 
PUBLIC LAW 94-557—OCT. 19, 1976 
which are depicted on a map entitled "Agassiz Wilderness Pro-
posal", dated November 1973, and which shall be known as the 
Agassiz Wilderness; 
(i) certain lands in the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, 
Minnesota, which comprise approximately two thousand one 
hundred and thirty-eight acres, which are depicted on a map 
entitled "Tamarac Wilderness Proposal", dated January 1973, 
and which shall be known as the Tamarac Wilderness; 
(j) certain lands in the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, 
Missouri, which comprise approximately eight thousand acres, 
which are depicted on a map entitled "Mingo Wilderness Pro-
posal", dated March 1975, and which shall be known as the 
Mingo Wilderness; 
(k) certain lands in the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife 
Refuge, Montana, which comprise approximately thirty-two 
thousand three hundred and fifty acres, which are depicted on a 
map entitled "Red Rock Lakes Wilderness Proposal", dated 
January 1974, and which shall be known as the Red Rock Lakes 
Wilderness; 
(1) certain lands in the Medicine Lake National Wildlife 
Refuge, 
Montana, 
which 
comprise 
approximately" eleven 
thousand three hundred and sixty-six acres, which are depicted 
on a map entitled "Medicine Lake Wilderness Proposal", dated 
November 1973, and which shall be known as the Medicine Lake 
Wilderness; 
(m) certain lands in the UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 
Montana, which comprise approximately twenty thousand eight 
hundred and ninety acres, which are depicted on a map entitled 
"UL Bend Wilderness Proposal", dated June 1976, and which 
shall be known as the UL Bend Wilderness; 
(n) certain lands in the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife 
Refuge, Nebraska, which comprise approximately four thousand 
six hundred and thirty-five acres, which are depicted on a map 
entitled "Fort Niobrara Wilderness Proposal", dated November 
1973, and which shall be known as the Fort Niobrara Wilderness; 
(o) certain lands in the Swanquarter National Wildlife 
Refuge, North Carolina, which comprise approximately nine 
thousand acres, which are depicted on a map entitled "Swan-
quarter Wilderness Proposal", dated December 1973, and which 
shall be known as the Swanquarter Wilderness; 
(p) certain lands in the San Juan Islands National Wildlife 
Refuge, Washington, which comprise approximately 
three 
hundred and fifty-five acres, Avhich are depicted on a map entitled 
"San Juan Islands Wilderness Proposal", dated August 1971 
(revised July 1976), and which shall be known as the San Juan 
Wilderness. 
DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS WITHIN THE NATIONAL 
FOREST SYSTEM 
SEC. 2. (a) In accordance with the subsection 3(b) of the Wilderness 
16 use 1132 
Act (78 Stat. 891), the area in the Shoshone National Forest in 
note. 
Wyoming classified as the Glacier Primitive Area, with the proposed 
additions thereto and deletions therefrom, comprising an area of 
approximately one hundred and ninety-seven thousand six hundred 
note. 
PUBLIC JAW 94-557—OCT. 19, 1976 
90 STAT. 2635 
acres as generally depicted on a map entitled "Glacier Wilderness 
Proposed", dated March 1975 (revised August 1976), is hereby desig-
nated as the "Fitzpatrick Wilderness" and, therefore, as a component 
of the National Wilderness Preservation System. 
(b) In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness Act (78 
Stat. 890), the following lands are hereby designated as wilderness 16 USC 1131 
and, therefore, as components of the National Wilderness Preserva- note, 
tion System: 
(1) certain lands in the Sierra National Forest in California, 
which comprise about twenty-two thousand five hundred acres, 
as generally depicted on a map entitled "Kaiser Wilderness-Pro-
posed", dated August 1976, and shall be known as Kaiser 
Wilderness; 
(2) certain lands in the Mark Twain National Forest in Mis-
souri, which comprise about twelve thousand three hundred and 
fifteen acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled "Hercules-
Glades Wilderness, Proposed", dated March 1976, and shall be 
known as the Hercules-Glades Wilderness; 
DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS WITHIN THE 
NATIONAL. FOREST SYSTEM 
SEC. 3. (a) In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness Act 
(78 Stat. 890) and in accordance with the provisions of subsection 
3(d) of that Act (78 Stat. 892, 893), relating to public notice, public 16 USC 1132 
hearings, and review by State and other agencies, the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall review, as to its suitability or nonsuitability for 
preservation as wilderness, each wilderness study area designated by 
or pui-suant to subsection (b) of this section and report his findings 
to the President. The President shall advise the United States Senate 
and the House of Representatives of his recommendations with respect 
to the designation as wilderness of each such area on which the review 
has been completed, together with a map thereof and a definition of 
its boundaries. 
(b) Wilderness study areas to be reviewed pursuant to this sec-
tion include— 
(1) certain lands in the Angeles and San Bernardino National 
Forests in California, which comprise approximately fifty-two 
thousand acres, and which are generally depicted on a map entitled 
"Sheep Mountain Wilderness, Proposed", and dated February 
1974. The Secretary shall complete his review and report his find-
ings to the President and the President shall submit to the United 
States Senate and the House of Representatives his recommenda-
tions with respect to the designation of the Sheep Mountain 
Wilderness Study Area as wilderness not later than two years 
after the date of enactment of this Act; 
(2) certain lands in the Mendocino National Forest in Cali-
fornia, which comprise approximately thirty-seven thousand 
acres, and which are generally depicted on a map entitled "Snow 
Mountain Wilderness Proposed", and dated June 1971. The Sec- Report to 
retary shall complete his review and report his findings to the President, 
President and the President shall submit to the United States submittal 
Senate and the House of Representatives his recommendations 
*° t-ongress. 
with respect to the designation of the Snow Mountain Wilderness 
Study Area as wilderness not later than two years after the date 
of enactment of this Act; 
90 STAT. 2636 
PUBLIC LAW 94-557—OCT. 19, 1976 
Report to 
President, 
sulunittal 
to Congress. 
Report to 
President, 
submittal 
to Congress. 
Report to 
President, 
submittal 
to Congress. 
Report to 
President, 
submittal 
to Congress. 
Report to 
President, 
submittal 
to Congress. 
(3) certain lands in the Mark Twain National Forest in Mis-
souri, which comprise approximately eight thousand five himdred 
and thirty acres, and which are generally depicted on a map 
entitled "Bell Mountain Wilderness Study Area", and dated 
March 1976. The Secretary shall complete his review and report 
his findings to the President and the President shall submit to 
the United States Senate and the House of Representatives his 
recommendations with respect to the designation of the Bell 
Mountain Wilderness Study Area as wilderness not later than 
five years after the date of enactment of this Act; 
(4) certain lands in the Mark Twain National Forest in Mis-
souri, which comprise approximately six thousand eight hundred 
and eighty-eight acres, and which are generally depicted on a map 
entitled "Paddy Creek Wilderness Study Area", and dated March 
1976. The Secretary shall complete his review and report his 
findings to the President and the President shall submit to the 
United States Senate and the House of Representatives his recom-
mendation with respect to the designation of the Paddy Creek 
Wilderness Study Area as wilderness not later than five years 
after the date of enactment of this Act; 
(5) certain lands in the Mark Twain National Forest in Mis-
souri, which comprise approximately eight thousand four hundred 
and thirty acres, and which are generally depicted on a map 
entitled "Piney Creek Wilderness Study Area", and dated March 
1976. The Secretary shall complete his review and report his 
findings to the President and the President shall submit to the 
United States Senate and the House of Representatives his recom-
mendation with respect to the designation of the Piney Creek 
Wilderness Study Area as wilderness not later than five years 
after the date of enactment of this Act; 
(6) certain lands in the Mark Twain National Forest in Mis-
souri, which comprise approximately four thousand one hundred 
and seventy acres, and which are generally depicted on a map 
entitled "Rockpile Mountain Wilderness Study Area", and dated 
March 1976. The Secretary shall complete his review and report 
his findings to the President and the President shall submit to 
the United States Senate and the House of Representatives his 
recommendation with respect to the designation of the Rockpile 
Mountain Wilderness Study Area as wilderness not later than 
five years after the date of enactment of this Act; 
(7) certain lands in the Flathead and Lewis and Clark 
National Forests in Montana, which comprise approximately 
three hundred ninety-three thousand acres, and which are gen-
erally depicted on a map entitled "Great Bear Wilderness-
Proposed", and dated November 1975 (revised August 1976). The 
Secretary shall complete his review and report his findings to the 
President and the President shall submit to the United States 
Senate and the House of Representatives his recommendation with 
respect to the designation of the Great Bear Wilderness Study 
Area as wilderness not later than nineteen months after the date 
of enactment of this Act; and in conducting his review, the Secre-
tary of Agriculture, in consultation-with the Secretary of the In-
terior, shall identify any potential utility corridors within or 
PUBLIC LAW 94-557—OCT. 19, 1976 
90 STAT. 2637 
Report to 
President, 
submittal 
to Congress. 
contiguous to the study area, review any adverse effects such 
corridors may have on the wilderness character of such area, de-
termine whether any such corridor is necessary, and, if a determi-
nation of necessity is made, select a route and design which will 
minimize such effects. Nothing in this section shall be construed 
as prohibiting the siting of any such corridor within the bound-
aries of any area recommended by the President for wilderness 
preservation pursuant to this Act or designated as wilderness by 
the Congress and; 
(8) certain lands in the Deer Lodge and Helena National 
Forests, in Montana, which comprise approximately seventy-seven 
thousand three hundred and forty-six acres and which are gener-
ally depicted on a map entitled "Elkhorn Wilderness Study Area" 
and dated April 1976. The Secretary shall complete his review and 
report his findings to the President and the President shall submit 
to the United States Senate and the House of Representatives his 
recommendation with respect to the designation of the Elkhorn 
Wilderness Study area as wilderness not later than two years after 
the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) Nothing herein contained shall limit the President in proposing, 
as part of his recommendations to Congress, the alteration of existing 
boundaries of any wilderness study area or recommending the addition 
to any such area of any contiguous area predominately of wilderness 
value. Any recommendation of the President to the effect that such area 
or portion thereof should be designated as "wilderness" shall become 
effective only if so provided by an Act of Congress. 
(d) Subject to existing private rights, the wilderness study areas Administration, 
designated by this Act shall, until Congress determines otherwise, be 
administered by the Secretary of Agriculture so as to maintain their 
presently existing wilderness character and potential for inclusion in 
the National Wilderness Preservation System, except that such man-
agement requirement shall not extend beyond a period of four years 
from the date of submission to the Congress of the President's recom-
mendation concerning the particular study area. Already established 
uses may be permitted to continue, subject to such restrictions as the 
Secretary of Agriculture deems desirable, in the manner and degree in 
which the same was being conducted on the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
SEC. 4. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, all primitive area 
classifications of areas herein designated as wilderness are hereby 
abolished. 
SEC. 5. As soon as practicable after this Act takes effect, a map of 
each wilderness study area and a map and a legal description of each 
wilderness area shall be filed with the Committees on Interior and 
Insular Affairs of the United States Senate and House of Representa-
tives, and each such map and description shall have the same force and 
effect as if included in this Act: Provided^ however^ That correction 
of clerical and typographical errors in each such legal description and 
map may be made. Each such map and legal description shall be on file 
and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief, Forest 
Service, Department of Agriculture. 
Map and 
description, 
filing with 
congressional 
committees. 
89-104 n
7«
n« o
90 STAT. 2638 
PUBLIC LAW 94-557—OCT. 19, 1976 
SEC. 6. Wilderness areas designated by this Act shall be administered 
16 use 1131 
in accordajice with the applicable provisions of the Wilderness Act 
"***• 
governing areas designated by that Act as wilderness areas, except that 
any reference in such provisions to the effective date of the Wilderness 
Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the effective date of this Act, 
and any reference to the Secretary of Agriculture shall be deemed to be 
a reference to the Secretary who has administrative jurisdiction over 
the area. 
Approved October 19, 1976. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 94-1562 accompanying H.R. 15446 (Comm. on Interior and 
Insular Affairs). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 94-1032 and No. 94-1032 Pt. 2 (Comm. on Interior and 
Insular Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 122 (1976): 
July 21, considered and passed Senate. 
Sept. 27, considered and passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 15446. 
Sept. 30, Senate agreed to House amendment