II
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2565
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 6, 2006
Mr. Jeffords (for himself and Mr. Leahy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
A BILL
To designate certain National Forest System land in the State of Vermont for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation system and designate a National Recreation Area.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Vermont Wilderness Act of
2006
.
Definitions
In this Act:
Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
State
The term State means the State of Vermont.
Designation of wilderness areas
Designation
In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System:
Certain Federal land managed by the United
States Forest Service, comprising approximately 28,491 acres, as generally
depicted on the map entitled Glastenbury Wilderness—Proposed
,
dated March 2006, which shall be known as the Glastenbury
Wilderness
.
Certain Federal land managed by the United
States Forest Service, comprising approximately 12,437 acres, as generally
depicted on the map entitled Joseph Battell Wilderness—Proposed
,
dated March 2006, which shall be known as the Joseph Battell
Wilderness
.
Certain Federal land managed by the United
States Forest Service, comprising approximately 4,223 acres, as generally
depicted on the map entitled Breadloaf Wilderness
Additions—Proposed
, dated March 2006, which shall be known as the
Breadloaf Wilderness
.
Certain Federal land managed by the United
States Forest Service, comprising approximately 2,171 acres, as generally
depicted on the map entitled Lye Brook Wilderness
Additions—Proposed
, dated March 2006, which shall be known as the
Lye Brook Wilderness
.
Certain Federal land managed by the United
States Forest Service, comprising approximately 797 acres, as generally
depicted on the map entitled Peru Peak Wilderness
Additions—Proposed
, dated March 2006, which shall be known as the
Peru Peak Wilderness
.
Certain Federal land managed by the United
States Forest Service, comprising approximately 42 acres, as generally depicted
on the map entitled Big Branch Wilderness Additions—Proposed
,
dated March 2006, which shall be known as the Big Branch
Wilderness
.
Map and description
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 each wilderness area designated by section 101 with—
the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives;
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
Force of law
A map and legal description filed under subsection (a) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct clerical and typographical errors in the map and legal description.
Public availability
Each map and legal description filed under subsection (a) shall be filed and made available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
Administration
Administration
Subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, each wilderness area designated under this section shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with—
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and
the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.).
Fish and wildlife
Nothing in this title affects the jurisdiction of the State with respect to wildlife and fish on the public land located in the State, including the stocking of fish in—
lakes and ponds in the State that the State has historically stocked; and
rivers and streams in the State to support the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program.
Trails
In general
The Forest Service shall permit the use of minimum tools and traditional, trail-specific methods to mark and maintain—
the Appalachian National Scenic Trail;
the Long Trail;
the Catamount Trail; and
associated trails and structures of the
Trails specified in this subsection, as generally depicted on the map entitled
Trails within the Green Mountain National Forest Wilderness
Areas
and dated April 2006.
Catamount Trail relocation and completion
For the segment of the Catamount Trail that is located in the Lye Brook Wilderness, the Secretary—
may waive the requirements described in paragraph (1); and
shall assist the efforts of the Catamount Trail Association to relocate and complete the construction of the Catamount Trail.
Moosalamoo National Recreation Area
Designation
Certain Federal land managed by the United
States Forest Service, comprising approximately 16,890 acres, as generally
depicted on the map entitled Moosalamoo National Recreation
Area—Proposed
, dated March 2006, are designated as the
Moosalamoo National Recreation Area
.
Map and description
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 national recreation area designated by section 201 with—
the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives;
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
Force of law
A map and legal description filed under subsection (a) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this title, except that the Secretary may correct clerical and typographical errors in the map and legal description.
Public availability
Each map and legal description filed under subsection (a) shall be filed and made available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service.
Administration of national recreation area
In general
Subject to valid rights existing on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall administer the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area in accordance with—
laws (including rules and regulations) applicable to units of the National Forest System; and
the objectives described or specified in the Green Mountain National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan—
to provide a showcase for multiple use management of the National Forest System;
to provide outstanding educational and interpretation opportunities in the areas of ecological processes and forest management;
to provide for public enjoyment of the area for outdoor recreation and other benefits; and
to manage for the other resource values present in the Area, in a manner that does not impair the public recreation values and other special attributes of the Area.
Fish and wildlife
Nothing in this title affects the jurisdiction of the State with respect to wildlife and fish on the public land located in the State.
Escarpment and ecological areas
Nothing in this title prevents the Secretary from managing the Green Mountain Escarpment Management Area and the Ecological Special Areas, as described in the Green Mountain National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
Comprehensive management plan
In general
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and submit a comprehensive management plan for the Area designated by section 201 of this title to—
the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives;
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
Administration
In conducting the reviews and preparing the comprehensive management plan required by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—
provide for full public participation; and
consider the views of interested agencies, organizations, and individuals.