S. 1348Senate118th Congress (2023-2025)Passed Senate

Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Act of 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 6:50 AM UTC

The Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Act redesignates several federal lands in Wyoming as wilderness areas and creates a series of new conservation and special management areas. It also releases portions of existing wilderness‑study areas from special protection, allowing the Bureau of Land Management to manage them under standard public‑land rules. The bill affects federal lands in Wyoming, impacting wildlife, recreation, grazing, and potential oil‑and‑gas leasing.

Key Provisions

Designates five new wilderness areas – Encampment River Canyon, Prospect Mountain, Upper Sweetwater Canyon, Lower Sweetwater Canyon, and Bobcat Draw – totaling about 20,000 acres.
Releases 17 listed wilderness‑study areas from the FLPMA “study” requirement, allowing regular land‑management practices.
Establishes the Dubois Badlands National Conservation Area (≈4,446 acres) and the Dubois Motorized Recreation Area (≈368 acres) with specific rules on motorized vehicle use and grazing.
Creates multiple Special Management Areas (Bennett Mountains, Black Cat, Sweetwater Rocks, Fortification Creek, Fraker Mountain, North Fork, Cedar Mountain) to protect natural, historic, and recreational values while limiting new road construction and commercial timber harvesting.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop fire‑management plans for the new wilderness areas within 180 days.
Allows limited oil and gas leasing on certain released lands only via directional drilling from outside the area and prohibits surface disturbance.
Mandates travel‑management plans for special and motorized recreation areas within two years.
Orders studies on the potential for new special motorized recreation areas in Fremont, Hot Springs, and Washakie counties, with reports due within two years.

Legislative Activity

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9 earlier actions

HouseFloor Latest Action

Held at the desk.

December 24, 2024 • 10:13 AM

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

April 27, 2023

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

April 27, 2023

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 118-311.

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee

October 25, 2023

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

December 14, 2023

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 118-185.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

June 18, 2024

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 422.

June 18, 2024

SenateFloor

Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S7288-7297; text: CR S7288-7292)

December 20, 2024

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

December 23, 2024

HouseFloor

Received in the House.

December 24, 2024 • 10:12 AM

HouseFloor

Held at the desk.

December 24, 2024 • 10:13 AM

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about S. 1348 on the floor

1 Republican1 Democrat

Sen. John BarrassoR-WY · Dec 20, 2024

Mr. President, as if in legislative session, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following bills: Calendar No. 422, which is S. 1348, and Calendar No.…

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendments be considered and agreed to and that the bills, as amended, be considered read a third time en bloc.

The committee-reported amendments in the nature of a substitute were agreed to en bloc.

The bills were ordered to be engrossed for a third reading and were read the third time.

I know of no further debate on the bills, en bloc.

I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported title amendment to S. 1890 be considered and agreed to; that the title of S. 1890, as amended, be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider with respect to S. 1348 and S. 1890 be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mr. President, I want to rise just to spend a couple of moments discussing a bill that we just passed. It is the Wyoming Public Lands Initiative. The Senate passed this by unanimous consent.

This legislation is very important to my home State of Wyoming-- something we have been working on for years. The bill would resolve the management status for thousands of acres of Federal public lands across 7 counties of the 23 counties in my home State of Wyoming.

These acres involve what are known as wilderness study areas. These are lands managed solely for preservation, even though they are not included in the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Bureau of Land Management studies these areas. They study them to determine whether they should be designated as wilderness lands or if these lands should be returned to multiple-use status.

Until Congress acts, the Bureau treats all of the land as if it is wilderness. In other words, these lands currently under study are closed off to almost every use. For the people of Wyoming who rely on access to the land to make a living and for recreation, this just doesn't work.

In 1991--now, here we are in 2024, but in 1991, the Bureau of Land Management released a report recommending a balanced approach for these Wyoming wilderness study areas. Specifically, the Bureau of Land Management recommended that Congress designate some of the lands as wilderness and release the majority of the lands back to multiple use.

Well, here we are over three decades later, and the lands still remain in limbo. That is why some of our counties began to work with me on the Wyoming Public Lands Initiative. I want to thank these Wyoming county commissioners for their collaboration going back 9 years, back to 2015.

The bill, which I am proud to sponsor on their behalf, generally follows the recommendations of the 1991 report. It strikes a balance between protecting these special places the people in Wyoming love while expanding the multiple-use areas that our State and local economies rely upon.

The bill was developed by the people who live near the land and who will be accessing the land when this bill is enacted. It has been developed really from the ground up by the people who know the land the best.

This legislation resolves a decades-old stalemate. The bill is going to increase conservation. It is going to ensure that other lands can be unlocked and for uses that are important to the people of Wyoming and to our economy. I firmly believe the people of Wyoming, not Washington, should decide how to manage these lands.

So I want to thank my friend and colleague Senator Wyden from the State of Oregon. We worked closely together. We serve on several committees together. We live near each other where we stay when we are in Washington instead of when he is home in Oregon and I am home in Wyoming. I look forward to continuing to work with him to get these bills passed into law and through the House in the near future.

As I see my friend and colleague from Oregon on the floor tonight, I just want to thank him for his years of cooperation and working together as we have on the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and thank him for all of his consideration in allowing us to get this bill passed tonight.

I yield the floor.

Sen. Ron WydenD-OR · Dec 20, 2024

Mr. President, this is a truly historic moment for my home State of Oregon because the Owyhees, which are really Oregon's version of the Grand Canyon, really should have had secured protection years ago. But, finally, as a result of the bipartisan support that my friend from Wyoming and I have--working with the incoming chair of the committee Mike Lee, and the current leadership, we have been able to pass these important pieces of legislation.

The timing for my home State is really just extraordinary because just yesterday, the Congressman from rural Oregon, Congressman Bentz from the Second District, and I put out a joint statement about how next year we intend to work together and with our constituents to come up with legislation that our whole State--urban and

rural--could come together on to protect the ranching way of life in Malheur County and also our incredible treasures.

Congressman Bentz and I said we would work with our representative Chambers' leadership to pass the bill into law. Then, overnight, and to the great excitement of people in our State, due to the ending hours of Congress, when Members are trying to find some common ground, we have been able to work with our leadership in the U.S. Senate today, in this Chamber, to get started on what Congressman Bentz and I told our constituents yesterday would happen next year.

This did not happen by osmosis. The incoming ranking Senator, Martin Heinrich, and the incoming chair, Mike Lee, said that my bill, which cleared the Energy and Natural Resources Committee--S. 1890, the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act--that they would allow it to pass the U.S. Senate tonight as an indication of the goodwill that all parties have pledged for next year.

As the chairman of the committee has noted--in fact, all the chairs, past and present since I was the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee at one point, understand that that is the key to really making some history in this extraordinarily important committee.

In our conversations with the incoming chairman, Mike Lee, he was particularly interested in the fact that Congressman Bentz and I are going to be working together to get this bill in shape so that people across Oregon will support it.

When he indicated that that was a priority for him, I basically said that is exactly what we have in mind as Oregonians, what I have in mind as Oregon's senior Senator.

I am very happy to state tonight publicly to the incoming chair of the committee, the Senator from Utah, that I intend to work very closely with Congressman Bentz to make this become law.

So, everybody in Oregon understands, this bill does not become law tonight, but what its passage does is send a message from the U.S. Senate that when you get people of goodwill and a willingness to find common ground, you can make real action happen. The Owyhee legislation that I have worked on for years with ranchers and hunters and fishers and environmental folks has now passed the U.S. Senate. That is something that, after decades of debate about the future of the Owyhee, nobody thought was going to happen anytime soon. In fact, yesterday people said: Well, we will have to wait to see what happens. Now the U.S. Senate has acted and acted, as I say, to protect the ranching way of life in rural Oregon and also our natural treasures.

I hope that tonight's action will give all parties interested in the protection of the treasures of the Owyhee and interest in preserving the ranching way of life, that it should give folks at home the chance to know that we are going to be in a position in 2025, with the leadership of the Senate and the House behind this effort, to be in a position to make this important legislation the law of the land, and the protection for the Owyhees will be permanent and will be in the text of black-letter law for all to see.

I yield the floor.

Bill Text

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Engrossed in SenateIssued December 20, 2024

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 1348

AN ACT

To redesignate land within certain wilderness study areas in the State of Wyoming, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Act of 2023.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Bureau

The term Bureau means the Bureau of Land Management.

(2)

Range improvement

The term range improvement has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 (43 U.S.C. 1902).

(3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

(4)

State

The term State means the State of Wyoming.

(5)

Wilderness area

The term wilderness area means a wilderness area designated by section 3.

Designation of wilderness areas

In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System:

(1)

Encampment River Canyon Wilderness

(A)

In general

Certain Federal land administered by the Bureau in the State, comprising approximately 4,523.84 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Encampment River Wilderness and dated December 5, 2023, which shall be known as the Encampment River Canyon Wilderness.

(B)

Excluded land

The following land is not included in the Encampment River Canyon Wilderness:

(i)

Any land in the NW1⁄4NW1⁄4NW1⁄4 sec. 24, T. 14 N., R. 84 W.

(ii)

Any land within 100 feet of the centerline of—

(I)

County Road 353; or

(II)

Water Valley Road.

(2)

Prospect Mountain Wilderness

(A)

In general

Certain Federal land administered by the Bureau in the State, comprising approximately 1,099.76 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Prospect Mountain Wilderness and dated December 8, 2023, which shall be known as the Prospect Mountain Wilderness.

(B)

Excluded land

Any land within 100 feet of the centerline of Prospect Road is not included in the Prospect Mountain Wilderness.

(3)

Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness

(A)

In general

Certain Federal land administered by the Bureau in the State, comprising approximately 2,877.35 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness and dated December 6, 2023, which shall be known as the Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness.

(B)

Boundary

(i)

In general

Except as provided in clause (ii), the boundary of the Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness shall conform to the boundary of the Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

(ii)

Eastern boundary

The eastern boundary of the Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness shall be 100 feet from the western edge of the north-south road bisecting the Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness and the Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness, known as Strawberry Creek Road.

(iii)

Exclusion of existing roads

Any established legal route with authorized motorized use in existence on the date of enactment of this Act that enters the Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness in T. 28 N., R. 98 W., sec. 4, or the Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness in T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 33, is not included in the Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness.

(4)

Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness

(A)

In general

Certain Federal land administered by the Bureau in the State, comprising approximately 5,665.19 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness and dated December 5, 2023, which shall be known as the Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness.

(B)

Boundary

(i)

In general

Except as provided in clause (ii), the boundary of the Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness shall conform to the boundary of the Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

(ii)

Western boundary

The western boundary of the Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness shall be 100 feet from the eastern edge of the north-south road bisecting the Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness and the Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness, known as Strawberry Creek Road.

(iii)

Exclusion of existing roads

Any established legal route with authorized motorized use in existence on the date of enactment of this Act that enters the Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness in T. 29 N., R. 98 W., sec. 4, or the Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness in T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 33, is not included in the Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness.

(5)

Bobcat Draw Wilderness

Certain Federal land administered by the Bureau in the State, comprising approximately 6,246.84 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Bobcat Draw Wilderness and dated December 8, 2023, which shall be known as the Bobcat Draw Wilderness.

Administration of wilderness areas

(a)

In general

Subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary shall administer the wilderness areas in accordance with this section and the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that—

(1)

any reference in that Act to the effective date of that Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act; and

(2)

any reference in that Act to the Secretary of Agriculture shall be considered to be a reference to the Secretary.

(b)

Fire management and related activities

(1)

In general

The Secretary may carry out any activities in a wilderness area as are necessary for the control of fire, insects, or disease in accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)).

(2)

Coordination

In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall coordinate with—

(A)

the Wyoming Forestry Division; and

(B)

the applicable county in the State in which the wilderness area is located.

(3)

Fire management plan

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a fire management plan for the wilderness areas—

(A)

to ensure the timely and efficient control of fires, diseases, and insects in the wilderness areas, in accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)); and

(B)

to provide, to the maximum extent practicable, adequate protection from forest fires, disease outbreaks, and insect infestations to any Federal, State, or private land adjacent to the wilderness areas.

(c)

Grazing

The grazing of livestock in a wilderness area, if established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be administered in accordance with—

(1)

section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4)); and

(2)

the guidelines set forth in Appendix A of House Report 101–405, accompanying H.R. 2570 of the 101st Congress, for land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior.

(d)

Buffer zones

(1)

In general

Nothing in this section establishes a protective perimeter or buffer zone around a wilderness area.

(2)

Outside activities or uses

The fact that a nonwilderness activity or use can be seen or heard from within a wilderness area shall not preclude the activity or use outside the boundary of the wilderness area.

Release of Wilderness Study Areas

(a)

Finding

Congress finds that, for purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), any portion of a wilderness study area described in subsection (b) that is not designated as a wilderness area by section 3 has been adequately studied for wilderness designation.

(b)

Description of land

The wilderness study areas referred to in subsections (a) and (c) are the following:

(1)

The Encampment River Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

(2)

The Prospect Mountain Wilderness Study Area.

(3)

The Bennett Mountains Wilderness Study Area.

(4)

The Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

(5)

The Lankin Dome Wilderness Study Area.

(6)

The Split Rock Wilderness Study Area.

(7)

The Savage Peak Wilderness Study Area.

(8)

The Miller Springs Wilderness Study Area.

(9)

The Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area.

(10)

The Copper Mountain Wilderness Study Area.

(11)

The Whiskey Mountain Wilderness Study Area.

(12)

The Fortification Creek Wilderness Study Area.

(13)

The Gardner Mountain Wilderness Study Area.

(14)

The North Fork Wilderness Study Area.

(15)

The portion of the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area located in Washakie County, Wyoming.

(16)

The Cedar Mountain Wilderness Study Area.

(17)

The Honeycombs Wilderness Study Area.

(c)

Release

Any portion of a wilderness study area described in subsection (b) that is not designated as a wilderness area by section 3 is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).

(d)

Management of released land

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall manage the portions of the wilderness study areas released under subsection (c) in accordance with—

(A)

the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);

(B)

applicable land management plans;

(C)

applicable management provisions under paragraph (2); and

(D)

any other applicable law.

(2)

Specific management provisions

(A)

Bennett mountains wilderness study area

The Secretary shall manage the portion of the Bennett Mountains Wilderness Study Area released under subsection (c) in accordance with section 8(a).

(B)

Dubois badlands wilderness study area

(i)

Division

The Secretary shall divide the land within the Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area by authorizing the installation of a fence or the repair or relocation of an existing fence in T. 41 N., R. 106 W., sec. 5, that—

(I)

follows existing infrastructure and natural barriers;

(II)

begins at an intersection with North Mountain View Road in the NE1⁄4NW1⁄4 sec. 5, T. 41 N., R. 106 W.;

(III)

from the point described in subclause (II), proceeds southeast to a point near the midpoint of the NE1⁄4 sec. 5, T. 41 N., R. 106 W.; and

(IV)

from the point described in subclause (III), proceeds southwest to a point in the SW1⁄4NE1⁄4 sec. 5, T. 41 N., R. 106 W., that intersects with the boundary of the Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area.

(ii)

Management

The Secretary shall manage the portion of the Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area released under subsection (c) in accordance with—

(I)

paragraph (1); and

(II)

sections 6 and 7.

(C)

Copper mountain wilderness study area

(i)

In general

The Secretary shall manage the portion of the Copper Mountain Wilderness Study Area released under subsection (c) in accordance with paragraph (1).

(ii)

Mineral leasing

(I)

In general

The Secretary may lease oil and gas resources within the land released from the Copper Mountain Wilderness Study Area under subsection (c) if—

(aa)

the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the land released from the Copper Mountain Wilderness Study Area; and

(bb)

the lease prohibits, without exception or waiver, surface occupancy and surface disturbance on the land released from the Copper Mountain Wilderness Study Area for any activities, including activities relating to exploration, development, or production.

(II)

Underground rights-of-way

The Secretary may grant underground rights-of-way for any mineral lease entered into under subclause (I).

(III)

Prohibition of certain leases

Subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall not issue a new lease for a wind or solar project, an overhead transmission line, or a communication tower on the land released from the Copper Mountain Wilderness Study Area under subsection (c).

(IV)

Authority to exchange land

In carrying out any land exchange involving any of the land released from the Copper Mountain Wilderness Study Area under subsection (c), the Secretary shall ensure that the exchange does not result in a net loss of Federal land.

(D)

Whiskey mountain wilderness study area

The Secretary shall manage the portion of the Whiskey Mountain Wilderness Study Area released under subsection (c) in accordance with—

(i)

paragraph (1); and

(ii)

the Whiskey Mountain Cooperative Agreement between the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, the Forest Service, and the Bureau, including any amendment to that agreement relating to the management of bighorn sheep.

(E)

Bobcat draw wilderness study area

(i)

Travel management plan

(I)

In general

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a travel management plan for the land released from the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area under subsection (c).

(II)

Requirements

The travel management plan under subclause (I) shall—

(aa)

identify all existing roads and trails on the land released from the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area under subsection (c);

(bb)

designate each road or trail available for—

(AA)

motorized or mechanized recreation; or

(BB)

agriculture practices;

(cc)

prohibit the construction of any new road or trail for motorized or mechanized recreation use; and

(dd)

permit the continued use of nonmotorized trails.

(ii)

Withdrawal

(I)

In general

Except as provided in subclause (II), subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the land released from the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area under subsection (c) is withdrawn from—

(aa)

all forms of appropriation or disposal under the public land laws;

(bb)

location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(cc)

disposition under laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(II)

Exception

The Secretary may lease oil and gas resources within the land released from the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area under subsection (c) if—

(aa)

the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the land released from the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area; and

(bb)

the lease prohibits, without exception or waiver, surface occupancy and surface disturbance on the land released from the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area for any activities, including activities related to exploration, development, or production.

Establishment of Dubois Badlands National Conservation Area

(a)

Establishment

Subject to valid existing rights, there is established the Dubois Badlands National Conservation Area (referred to in this section as the Conservation Area), comprising approximately 4,446.46 acres of Federal land administered by the Bureau in the State, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Badlands National Conservation Area and dated November 15, 2023.

(b)

Purpose

The purpose of the Conservation Area is to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations the ecological, wildlife, recreational, scenic, cultural, historical, and natural resources of the Area.

(c)

Management

Subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall manage the Conservation Area—

(1)

in a manner that only allows uses of the Conservation Area that the Secretary determines would further the purpose of the Conservation Area described in subsection (b); and

(2)

in accordance with—

(A)

the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);

(B)

this section; and

(C)

any other applicable law.

(d)

Motorized vehicles

(1)

In general

The use of motorized vehicles in the Conservation Area shall be permitted only on existing roads, trails, and areas designated by the Secretary for use by such vehicles as of the date of enactment of this Act.

(2)

Exceptions

The Secretary may allow the use of motorized vehicles in the Conservation Area as needed for administrative purposes and emergency response.

(e)

Grazing

Grazing of livestock in the Conservation Area shall be administered in accordance with the laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

(f)

Withdrawal

Subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within the boundaries of the Conservation Area is withdrawn from—

(1)

all forms of appropriation or disposal under the public land laws;

(2)

location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(3)

disposition under laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

Establishment of Dubois Motorized Recreation Area

(a)

Establishment

Subject to valid existing rights, there is established the Dubois Motorized Recreation Area (referred to in this section as the Recreation Area), comprising approximately 367.72 acres of Federal land administered by the Bureau in the State, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Dubois Motorized Recreation Area and dated November 15, 2023.

(b)

Management

(1)

Boundary fence

The Secretary shall authorize the construction of a fence along the western boundary of the Recreation Area on any Federal land that—

(A)

is managed by the Bureau; and

(B)

is west of North Mountain View Road.

(2)

Travel management plan

As soon as practicable after the date of completion of the fence described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall establish a travel management plan for the Recreation Area that efficiently coordinates the use of motorized off-road vehicles in the Recreation Area.

Establishment of Special Management Areas

(a)

Bennet mountains special management area

(1)

Establishment

Subject to valid existing rights, there is established the Bennett Mountains Special Management Area (referred to in this subsection as the Special Management Area), comprising approximately 6,165.05 acres of Federal land in the State administered by the Bureau, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Bennet Mountains Special Management Area and dated November 15, 2023.

(2)

Administration

The Special Management Area shall be administered by the Secretary.

(3)

Purpose

The purpose of the Special Management Area is to enhance the natural, historic, scenic, and recreational, values of the area.

(4)

Management

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall manage the Special Management Area—

(i)

in furtherance of the purpose described in paragraph (3); and

(ii)

in accordance with—

(I)

the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the Bureau;

(II)

this subsection; and

(III)

any other applicable law (including regulations).

(B)

Roads; motorized vehicles

(i)

Roads

The construction of new permanent roads in the Special Management Area shall not be allowed.

(ii)

Motorized vehicles

Except as needed for administrative purposes, emergency response, fire management, forest health and restoration, weed and pest control, habitat management, livestock management, and range improvement, the use of motorized and mechanized vehicles in the Special Management Area shall be allowed only on existing roads and trails designated for the use of motorized or mechanized vehicles.

(iii)

Travel management plan

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a travel management plan for the Special Management Area.

(C)

Grazing

Grazing of livestock in the Special Management Area shall be administered in accordance with the laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

(D)

Timber harvesting

Commercial timber harvesting shall not be allowed in the Special Management Area.

(5)

Withdrawal

(A)

In general

Subject to valid existing rights and subparagraph (B), the Special Management Area is withdrawn from—

(i)

all forms of appropriation or disposal under the public land laws;

(ii)

location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(iii)

disposition under laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(B)

Exception

The Secretary may lease oil and gas resources within the boundaries of the Special Management Area if—

(i)

the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the Special Management Area; and

(ii)

the lease prohibits, without exception or waiver, surface occupancy and surface disturbance within the Special Management Area for any activities, including activities related to exploration, development, or production.

(b)

Black Cat Special Management Area

(1)

Establishment

Subject to valid existing rights, there is established the Black Cat Special Management Area (referred to in this subsection as the Special Management Area), comprising approximately 1,178 acres of Federal land in Carbon County, Wyoming, as generally depicted on the map entitled Black Cat Special Management Area and dated November 13, 2023.

(2)

Administration

The Special Management Area shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.

(3)

Purpose

The purpose of the Special Management Area is to enhance the natural, historic, scenic, and recreational values of the area.

(4)

Management

(A)

In general

The Secretary of Agriculture shall manage the Special Management Area—

(i)

in furtherance of the purpose described in paragraph (3); and

(ii)

in accordance with—

(I)

the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to National Forest System land;

(II)

this subsection; and

(III)

any other applicable law (including regulations).

(B)

Roads; motorized vehicles

(i)

Roads

The construction of new permanent roads in the Special Management Area shall not be allowed.

(ii)

Motorized vehicles

(iii)

Travel management plan

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a travel management plan for the Special Management Area.

(C)

Grazing

Grazing of livestock in the Special Management Area shall be administered in accordance with the laws generally applicable to grazing on National Forest System land.

(D)

Timber harvesting

Commercial timber harvesting shall not be allowed in the Special Management Area.

(5)

Withdrawal

(A)

In general

Subject to valid existing rights and subparagraph (B), the Special Management Area is withdrawn from—

(i)

all forms of appropriation or disposal under the public land laws;

(ii)

location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(iii)

disposition under laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(B)

Exception

The Secretary may, with the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture, lease oil and gas resources within the boundaries of the Special Management Area if—

(i)

the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the Special Management Area; and

(ii)

(c)

Sweetwater rocks special management area

(1)

Establishment

Subject to valid existing rights, there is established the Sweetwater Rocks Special Management Area (referred to in this subsection as the Special Management Area), comprising approximately 34,347.79 acres of Federal land in Fremont and Natrona Counties, Wyoming, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Sweetwater Rocks Special Management Area and dated November 15, 2023.

(2)

Administration

The Special Management Area shall be administered by the Secretary.

(3)

Purpose

The purpose of the Special Management Area is to enhance the natural, historic, scenic, and recreational, values of the area.

(4)

Management

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall manage the Special Management Area—

(i)

in furtherance of the purpose described in paragraph (3); and

(ii)

in accordance with—

(I)

the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the Bureau;

(II)

this subsection; and

(III)

any other applicable law (including regulations).

(B)

Roads; motorized vehicles

(i)

Roads

The construction of new permanent roads in the Special Management Area shall not be allowed.

(ii)

Motorized vehicles

(iii)

Travel management plan

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a travel management plan for the Special Management Area.

(C)

Grazing

Grazing of livestock in the Special Management Area shall be administered in accordance with the laws generally applicable to the Bureau.

(D)

Prohibition of certain overhead towers

No new overhead transmission or communications tower shall be constructed in the Special Management Area.

(E)

Land exchanges

The Secretary may propose to, and carry out with, an individual or entity owning land in the vicinity of the Special Management Area any land exchange that—

(i)

increases access to the Special Management Area; and

(ii)

does not result in a net loss of Federal land.

(F)

Underground rights-of-way

Notwithstanding paragraph (5), the Secretary may expand any underground right-of-way in the Special Management Area that exists as of the date of enactment of this Act.

(5)

Withdrawal

(A)

In general

Subject to valid existing rights and subparagraph (B), the Special Management Area is withdrawn from—

(i)

all forms of appropriation or disposal under the public land laws;

(ii)

location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(iii)

disposition under laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(B)

Exception

The Secretary may lease oil and gas resources within the boundaries of the Special Management Area if—

(i)

the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the Special Management Area; and

(ii)

(C)

Wind and solar energy withdrawal

Subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within the boundaries of the Special Management Area is withdrawn from right-of-way leasing and disposition under laws relating to wind or solar energy.

(d)

Fortification creek special management area; fraker mountain special management area; north fork special management area

(1)

Definition of special management area

In this subsection, the term Special Management Area means a special management area established by paragraph (2).

(2)

Establishment of special management areas

Subject to valid existing rights there are established the following:

(A)

The Fortification Creek Special Management Area, comprising approximately 12,520.69 acres of Federal land administered in the State by the Bureau, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Fortification Creek Management Area and dated November 15, 2023.

(B)

The Fraker Mountain Special Management Area, comprising approximately 6,248.28 acres of Federal land administered in the State by the Bureau, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Fraker Mountain Management Area and dated November 15, 2023.

(C)

The North Fork Special Management Area, comprising approximately 10,026.15 acres of Federal land administered in the State by the Bureau, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed North Fork Management Area and dated November 15, 2023.

(3)

Administration

The Special Management Areas shall be administered by the Secretary.

(4)

Purpose

The purpose of a Special Management Area is to enhance the natural, historic, scenic, recreational, wildlife habitat, forest health, watershed protection, and ecological and cultural values of the area.

(5)

Management

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall manage each Special Management Area—

(i)

in furtherance of the purpose described in paragraph (4); and

(ii)

in accordance with—

(I)

the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the Bureau;

(II)

this subsection; and

(III)

any other applicable law (including regulations).

(B)

Roads; motorized vehicles

(i)

Roads

The construction of new permanent roads in a Special Management Area shall not be allowed.

(ii)

Motorized vehicles

Except as needed for administrative purposes, emergency response, fire management, forest health and restoration, weed and pest control, habitat management, livestock management, and range improvement, the use of motorized and mechanized vehicles in a Special Management Area shall be allowed only on existing roads and trails designated for the use of motorized or mechanized vehicles.

(iii)

Travel management plan

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a travel management plan for each Special Management Area.

(C)

Grazing

Grazing of livestock in a Special Management Area shall be administered in accordance with the laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

(D)

Prohibition of certain infrastructure

The development, construction, or installation of infrastructure for recreational use shall not be allowed in—

(i)

the Fraker Mountain Special Management Area; or

(ii)

the North Fork Special Management Area.

(6)

Withdrawal

(A)

In general

Subject to valid existing rights and subparagraph (B), the Special Management Areas are withdrawn from—

(i)

all forms of appropriation or disposal under the public land laws;

(ii)

location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(iii)

disposition under laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(B)

Exception

The Secretary may lease oil and gas resources within the boundaries of a Special Management Area if—

(i)

the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the Special Management Area; and

(ii)

(e)

Cedar mountain special management area

(1)

Establishment

Subject to valid existing rights, there is established the Cedar Mountain Special Management Area (referred to in this subsection as the Special Management Area), comprising approximately 20,745.73 acres of Federal land in the State administered by the Bureau, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Cedar Mountain Special Management Area and dated November 15, 2023.

(2)

Administration

The Special Management Area shall be administered by the Secretary.

(3)

Purpose

The purpose of the Special Management Area is to enhance the natural, historic, scenic, recreational, ecological, wildlife, and livestock production values of the area.

(4)

Management

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall manage the Special Management Area—

(i)

in furtherance of the purpose described in paragraph (3); and

(ii)

in accordance with—

(I)

the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the Bureau;

(II)

this subsection; and

(III)

any other applicable law (including regulations).

(B)

Roads; motorized vehicles

(i)

Roads

The construction of new permanent roads in the Special Management Area shall not be allowed.

(ii)

Motorized vehicles

(iii)

Travel management plan

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a travel management plan for the Special Management Area.

(C)

Grazing

Grazing of livestock in the Special Management Area shall be administered in accordance with the laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

(5)

Withdrawal

(A)

In general

Subject to valid existing rights, the Special Management Area is withdrawn from—

(i)

all forms of appropriation or disposal under the public land laws;

(ii)

location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(iii)

disposition under laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(B)

Exception

The Secretary may lease oil and gas resources within the boundaries of the Special Management Area if—

(i)

the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the Special Management Area; and

(ii)

Lander Slope Area of Critical Environmental Concern and Red Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern

(a)

Definition of county

In this section, the term County means Fremont County, Wyoming.

(b)

Lander slope area of critical environmental concern and red canyon area of critical environmental concern

(1)

Transfers

The Secretary shall pursue transfers in which land managed by the Bureau in the County is exchanged for land owned by the State that is within the boundaries of—

(A)

the Lander Slope Area of Critical Environmental Concern; or

(B)

the Red Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

(2)

Requirements

A transfer under paragraph (1) shall—

(A)

comply with all requirements of law, including any required analysis; and

(B)

be subject to appropriation.

(c)

Study

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall carry out a study to evaluate the potential for the development of special motorized recreation areas in the County.

(2)

Requirements

The study under paragraph (1) shall evaluate—

(A)

the potential for the development of special motorized recreation areas on all land managed by the Bureau in the County except—

(i)

any land in T. 40 N., R. 94 W., secs. 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, and the N1⁄2 sec. 34; and

(ii)

any land that is subject to a restriction on the use of off-road vehicles under any Federal law, including this Act;

(B)

the suitability of the land evaluated under subparagraph (A) for off-road vehicles, including rock crawlers; and

(C)

the parking, staging, and camping necessary to accommodate special motorized recreation.

(3)

Report

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing the findings of the study under paragraph (1).

(d)

Fremont county implementation team

(1)

Establishment

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a team, to be known as the Fremont County Implementation Team (referred to in this subsection as the Team) to advise and assist the Secretary with respect to the implementation of the management requirements described in this section that are applicable to land in the County.

(2)

Membership

The Team shall consist of—

(A)

the Secretary (or a designee of the Secretary); and

(B)

1 or more individuals appointed by the Board of County Commissioners of the County.

(3)

Nonapplicability of the federal advisory committee act

The Team shall not be subject to the requirements of chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Federal Advisory Committee Act).

10.

Study of land in Hot Springs and Washakie Counties

(a)

Definition of counties

In this section, the term Counties means each of the following counties in the State:

(1)

Hot Springs County.

(2)

Washakie County.

(b)

Study

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall carry out a study to evaluate the potential for the development of new special motorized recreation areas in the Counties.

(2)

Requirements

(A)

Land included

The study under paragraph (1) shall evaluate the potential for the development of new special motorized recreation areas on Federal land managed by the Bureau in the Counties except any land that is subject to a restriction on the use of motorized or mechanized vehicles under any Federal law, including this Act.

(B)

Public input; collaboration

In carrying out the study under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(i)

offer opportunities for public input; and

(ii)

collaborate with—

(I)

State parks, historic sites, and trails; and

(II)

the Counties.

(3)

Report

Passed the Senate December 20 (legislative day, December 16), 2024.

Secretary