HR 4877
Central Coast Heritage Protection Act
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Bill overview
This bill designates certain federal land in California as wilderness areas and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, including areas in the Bakersfield and Los Padres National Forests. It also establishes several scenic areas, including the Condor Ridge and Black Mountain Scenic Areas, and creates the Fox Mountain Special Management Area. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for a study on a national scenic trail, improvements to nonmotorized recreation opportunities, and ensures access for Tribal members to wilderness areas for traditional purposes.
Key provisions
- Designates approximately 35,116 acres in the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management as the Caliente Mountain Wilderness.
- Designates approximately 13,332 acres in the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management as the Soda Lake Wilderness.
- Designates approximately 12,585 acres in the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management as the Temblor Range Wilderness.
- Incorporates portions of the Chumash, Dick Smith, Garcia, and Machesna Mountain Wilderness areas.
- Designates approximately 23,670 acres in the Los Padres National Forest as the Chumash Wilderness.
- Designates approximately 54,036 acres in the Los Padres National Forest as the Dick Smith Wilderness.
- Designates approximately 7,289 acres in the Los Padres National Forest and the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management as the Garcia Wilderness.
- Designates approximately 10,817 acres in the Los Padres National Forest and the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management as the Machesna Mountain Wilderness.
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 4877
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To designate certain Federal land in the State of California as wilderness.
This Act may be cited as the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act
.
In this Act:
The term scenic area means a scenic area designated by section 7(a).
The term Secretary means—
with respect to land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Secretary of the Interior; and
with respect to land managed by the Forest Service, the Secretary of Agriculture.
The term State means the State of California.
The term wilderness area means a wilderness area or wilderness addition designated by section 3(a).
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:
Proposed Caliente Mountain Wildernessand dated February 2, 2022, which shall be known as the
Caliente Mountain Wilderness.
Certain land in the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 13,332 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Soda Lake Wilderness
and dated June 25, 2019, which shall be known as the Soda Lake Wilderness
.
Certain land in the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 12,585 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Proposed Temblor Range Wilderness
and dated June 25, 2019, which shall be known as the Temblor Range Wilderness
.
Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest comprising approximately 23,670 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Chumash Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed
and dated March 29, 2019, which shall be incorporated into and managed as part of the Chumash Wilderness as designated by the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act (Public Law 102–301; 106 Stat. 242).
Dick Smith Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed Map 1 of 2 (Bear Canyon and Cuyama Peak Units)and
Dick Smith Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed Map 2 of 2 (Buckhorn and Mono Units)and dated November 14, 2019, which shall be incorporated into and managed as part of the Dick Smith Wilderness as designated by the California Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–425; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note).
Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest and the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 7,289 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Garcia Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed
and dated March 29, 2019, which shall be incorporated into and managed as part of the Garcia Wilderness as designated by the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act (Public Law 102–301; 106 Stat. 242).
Machesna Mountain Wilderness—Proposed Additionsand dated October 30, 2019, which shall be incorporated into and managed as part of the Machesna Mountain Wilderness as designated by the California Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–425; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note).
Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest comprising approximately 30,184 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Matilija Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed
and dated March 29, 2019, which shall be incorporated into and managed as part of the Matilija Wilderness as designated by the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act (Public Law 102–301; 106 Stat. 242).
San Rafael Wilderness Area Additions—Proposedand dated November 14, 2023, which shall be incorporated into and managed as part of the San Rafael Wilderness as designated by Public Law 90–271 (82 Stat. 51), the California Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98–425; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note), and the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act (Public Law 102–301; 106 Stat. 242).
Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest comprising approximately 2,921 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Santa Lucia Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed
and dated March 29, 2019, which shall be incorporated into and managed as part of the Santa Lucia Wilderness as designated by the Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–237; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note).
Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest comprising approximately 14,313 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Sespe Wilderness Area Additions—Proposed
and dated March 29, 2019, which shall be incorporated into and managed as part of the Sespe Wilderness as designated by the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act (Public Law 102–301; 106 Stat. 242).
Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest comprising approximately 17,870 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Diablo Caliente Wilderness Area—Proposed
and dated March 29, 2019, which shall be known as the Diablo Caliente Wilderness
.
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file maps and legal descriptions of the wilderness areas with—
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
The maps and legal descriptions filed under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct any clerical and typographical errors in the maps and legal descriptions.
The maps and legal descriptions filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
Subject to valid existing rights, the wilderness areas shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with this Act and the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that—
any reference in the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) to the effective date of that Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act; and
any reference in the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) to the Secretary of Agriculture shall be considered to be a reference to the Secretary that has jurisdiction over the wilderness area.
The Secretary may take any measures in a wilderness area as are necessary for the control of fire, insects, and diseases in accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)).
Nothing in this Act limits funding for fire and fuels management in the wilderness areas.
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall amend the local information in the Fire Management Reference System or individual operational plans that apply to the land designated as a wilderness area.
not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, establish agency approval procedures (including appropriate delegations of authority to the Forest Supervisor, District Manager, and other applicable agency field office officials) for responding to fire emergencies; and
enter into agreements with appropriate State or local agencies.
The grazing of livestock in the wilderness areas, if established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be permitted to continue, subject to any reasonable regulations as the Secretary considers necessary in accordance with—
section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4));
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;
the guidelines set forth in House Report 96–617, accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress for land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture; and
all other laws governing livestock grazing on Federal public land.
In accordance with section 4(d)(7) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(7)), nothing in this Act affects the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State with respect to fish and wildlife on public land in the State.
In furtherance of the purposes and principles of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the Secretary may conduct any management activities that are necessary to maintain or restore fish and wildlife populations and habitats in the wilderness areas, if the management activities are—
consistent with relevant wilderness management plans;
conducted in accordance with appropriate policies, such as the policies established in Appendix B of House Report 101–405; and
in accordance with memoranda of understanding between the Federal agencies and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Congress does not intend for the designation of wilderness areas by this Act to lead to the creation of protective perimeters or buffer zones around each wilderness area.
The fact that nonwilderness activities or uses can be seen or heard from within a wilderness area shall not, of itself, preclude the activities or uses up to the boundary of the wilderness area.
Nothing in this Act precludes—
low-level overflights of military aircraft over the wilderness areas;
the designation of new units of special airspace over the wilderness areas; or
the use or establishment of military flight training routes over wilderness areas.
Nothing in this Act precludes horseback riding in, or the entry of recreational saddle or pack stock into, a wilderness area—
in accordance with section 4(d)(5) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(5)); and
subject to any terms and conditions determined to be necessary by the Secretary.
Subject to valid existing rights, the wilderness areas are withdrawn from—
all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws;
location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
Any land within the boundary of a wilderness area that is acquired by the United States shall—
become part of the wilderness area in which the land is located; and
be managed in accordance with—
this section;
the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and
any other applicable law.
In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and subject to terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may authorize the installation and maintenance of hydrologic, meteorologic, or climatological collection devices in the wilderness areas if the Secretary determines that the facilities and access to the facilities are essential to flood warning, flood control, or water reservoir operation activities.
Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
The following segments of Indian Creek in the State of California, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture:
The 9.5-mile segment of Indian Creek from its source in sec. 19, T. 7 N., R. 26 W., to the Dick Smith Wilderness boundary, as a wild river.
The 1-mile segment of Indian Creek from the Dick Smith Wilderness boundary to 0.25 miles downstream of Road 6N24, as a scenic river.
The 3.9-mile segment of Indian Creek from 0.25 miles downstream of Road 6N24 to the southern boundary of sec. 32, T. 6 N., R. 26 W., as a wild river.
The following segments of Mono Creek in the State of California, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture:
The 4.2-mile segment of Mono Creek from its source in sec. 1, T. 7 N., R. 26 W., to 0.25 miles upstream of Don Victor Fire Road in sec. 28, T. 7 N., R. 25 W., as a wild river.
The 2.1-mile segment of Mono Creek from 0.25 miles upstream of the Don Victor Fire Road in sec. 28, T. 7 N., R. 25 W., to 0.25 miles downstream of Don Victor Fire Road in sec. 34, T. 7 N., R. 25 W., as a recreational river.
The 14.7-mile segment of Mono Creek from 0.25 miles downstream of Don Victor Fire Road in sec. 34, T. 7 N., R. 25 W., to the Ogilvy Ranch private property boundary in sec. 22, T. 6 N., R. 26 W., as a wild river.
The 3.5-mile segment of Mono Creek from the Ogilvy Ranch private property boundary to the southern boundary of sec. 33, T. 6 N., R. 26 W., as a recreational river.
The following segments of Matilija Creek in the State of California, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture:
The 7.2-mile segment of the Matilija Creek from its source in sec. 25, T. 6 N., R. 25 W., to the private property boundary in sec. 9, T. 5 N., R. 24 W., as a wild river.
The 7.25-mile segment of the Upper North Fork Matilija Creek from its source in sec. 36, T. 6 N., R. 24 W., to the Matilija Wilderness boundary, as a wild river.
Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (142) and inserting the following:
The following segments of Sespe Creek in the State of California, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture:
The 2.7-mile segment of Sespe Creek from the private property boundary in sec. 10, T. 6 N., R. 24 W., to the Hartman Ranch private property boundary in sec. 14, T. 6 N., R. 24 W., as a wild river.
The 15-mile segment of Sespe Creek from the Hartman Ranch private property boundary in sec. 14, T. 6 N., R. 24 W., to the western boundary of sec. 6, T. 5 N., R. 22 W., as a recreational river.
The 6.1-mile segment of Sespe Creek from the western boundary of sec. 6, T. 5 N., R. 22 W., to the confluence with Trout Creek, as a scenic river.
The 28.6-mile segment of Sespe Creek from the confluence with Trout Creek to the southern boundary of sec. 35, T. 5 N., R. 20 W., as a wild river.
Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (143) and inserting the following:
The following segments of the Sisquoc River and its tributaries in the State of California, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture:
The 33-mile segment of the main stem of the Sisquoc River extending from its origin downstream to the Los Padres Forest boundary, as a wild river.
The 4.2-mile segment of the South Fork Sisquoc River from its source northeast of San Rafael Mountain in sec. 2, T. 7 N., R. 28 W., to its confluence with the Sisquoc River, as a wild river.
The 10.4-mile segment of Manzana Creek from its source west of San Rafael Peak in sec. 4, T. 7 N., R. 28 W., to the San Rafael Wilderness boundary upstream of Nira Campground, as a wild river.
The 0.6-mile segment of Manzana Creek from the San Rafael Wilderness boundary upstream of the Nira Campground to the San Rafael Wilderness boundary downstream of the confluence of Davy Brown Creek, as a recreational river.
The 5.8-mile segment of Manzana Creek from the San Rafael Wilderness boundary downstream of the confluence of Davy Brown Creek to the private property boundary in sec. 1, T. 8 N., R. 30 W., as a wild river.
The 3.8-mile segment of Manzana Creek from the private property boundary in sec. 1, T. 8 N., R. 30 W., to the confluence of the Sisquoc River, as a recreational river.
The 3.4-mile segment of Davy Brown Creek from its source west of Ranger Peak in sec. 32, T. 8 N., R. 29 W., to 300 feet upstream of its confluence with Munch Canyon, as a wild river.
The 1.4-mile segment of Davy Brown Creek from 300 feet upstream of its confluence with Munch Canyon to its confluence with Manzana Creek, as a recreational river.
The 2-mile segment of Munch Canyon from its source north of Ranger Peak in sec. 33, T. 8 N., R. 29 W., to 300 feet upstream of its confluence with Sunset Valley Creek, as a wild river.
The 0.5-mile segment of Munch Canyon from 300 feet upstream of its confluence with Sunset Valley Creek to its confluence with Davy Brown Creek, as a recreational river.
The 2.6-mile segment of Fish Creek from 500 feet downstream of Sunset Valley Road to its confluence with Manzana Creek, as a wild river.
The 1.5-mile segment of East Fork Fish Creek from its source in sec. 26, T. 8 N., R. 29 W., to its confluence with Fish Creek, as a wild river.
Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (199) and inserting the following:
The following segments of Piru Creek in the State of California, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture:
The 9.1-mile segment of Piru Creek from its source in sec. 3, T. 6 N., R. 22 W., to the private property boundary in sec. 4, T. 6 N., R. 21 W., as a wild river.
The 17.2-mile segment of Piru Creek from the private property boundary in sec. 4, T. 6 N., R. 21 W., to 0.25 miles downstream of the Gold Hill Road, as a scenic river.
The 4.1-mile segment of Piru Creek from 0.25 miles downstream of Gold Hill Road to the confluence with Trail Canyon, as a wild river.
The 7.25-mile segment of Piru Creek from the confluence with Trail Canyon to the confluence with Buck Creek, as a scenic river.
The 3-mile segment of Piru Creek from 0.5 miles downstream of Pyramid Dam at the first bridge crossing to the boundary of the Sespe Wilderness, as a recreational river.
The 13-mile segment of Piru Creek from the boundary of the Sespe Wilderness to the boundary of the Sespe Wilderness, as a wild river.
The 2.2-mile segment of Piru Creek from the boundary of the Sespe Wilderness to the upper limit of Piru Reservoir, as a recreational river.
The designation of additional miles of Piru Creek under subsection (d) shall not affect valid water rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.
Nothing in this section (including the amendments made by this section) affects the motorized use of trails designated by the Forest Service for motorized use that are located adjacent to and crossing upper Piru Creek, if the use is consistent with the protection and enhancement of river values under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.).
Subject to valid existing rights, there is established the Fox Mountain Special Management Area, comprising approximately 41,082 acres of Federal land in the Los Padres National Forest, as generally depicted on the map entitled Fox Mountain Special Management Area
and dated November 14, 2023.
The purposes of the Fox Mountain Special Management Area are to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations—
the ecological, scenic, wildlife, recreational, roadless, cultural, historical, natural, educational, and scientific resources of the area; and
the cultural and historical resources and values of the area.
Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act and in accordance with paragraph (2), the Secretary of Agriculture shall develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term management of the special management area established by subsection (a).
In developing the management plan required under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Agriculture shall consult with—
appropriate State, Tribal, and local governmental entities; and
members of the public.
The management plan required under paragraph (1) shall ensure that recreational use within the special management area established by subsection (a) (referred to in this section as a special management area
) does not cause significant adverse impacts on the plants and wildlife of the special management area.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall manage the special management area—
in furtherance of the purpose described in subsection (a); and
in accordance with—
the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the National Forest System;
this section; and
any other applicable law (including regulations).
The Secretary of Agriculture shall only allow uses of the special management area that the Secretary determines would further the purposes of the special management area described in subsection (a).
The Secretary of Agriculture shall continue to authorize, maintain, and enhance the recreational use of the special management area, including hunting, camping, hiking, sightseeing, nature study, horseback riding, mountain bicycling, and other recreational activities, if the recreational use is consistent with—
the purpose of the special management area;
this section;
other applicable law (including regulations); and
any applicable management plans.
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the use of motorized vehicles in the special management area shall be permitted only on existing roads, trails, and areas designated for use by such vehicles as of the date of enactment of this Act.
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), no new or temporary roads shall be constructed within the special management area.
Nothing in subparagraph (A) or (B) prevents the Secretary of Agriculture from—
rerouting or closing an existing road or trail to protect natural resources from degradation, or to protect public safety, as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary;
designating routes of travel on land acquired by the Secretary and incorporated into the special management area if the designations are—
consistent with the purposes of the special management area described in subsection (a); and
completed, to the maximum extent practicable, not later than 3 years after the date of acquisition;
constructing a temporary road on which motorized vehicles are permitted as part of a vegetation management project carried out in accordance with subparagraph (D);
authorizing the use of motorized vehicles for administrative purposes; or
responding to an emergency.
In this subparagraph, the term decommission means, with respect to a road—
to reestablish vegetation on the road; and
to restore any natural drainage, watershed function, or other ecological processes that are disrupted or adversely impacted by the road by removing or hydrologically disconnecting the road prism.
Not later than 3 years after the date on which the applicable vegetation management project is completed, the Secretary of Agriculture shall decommission any temporary road constructed under subparagraph (C)(iii).
The grazing of livestock in the special management area, where established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be permitted to continue—
subject to—
such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the Secretary of Agriculture considers necessary; and
applicable law (including regulations); and
in a manner consistent with the purposes of the special management area described in subsection (a).
Consistent with this section, the Secretary of Agriculture may carry out any activities within the special management area that the Secretary determines to be necessary to control fire, insects, or diseases, including the coordination of those activities with a State or local agency.
In accordance with applicable laws (including regulations), the Secretary of Agriculture may acquire any land or interest in land within or adjacent to the boundaries of the special management area by purchase from a willing seller, donation, or exchange.
Any land or interest in land acquired by the Secretary of Agriculture under paragraph (1) shall be—
incorporated into, and administered as part of, the special management area; and
withdrawn in accordance with subsection (i).
To the maximum extent practicable and in accordance with applicable laws, on request of an affected federally recognized Indian Tribe, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall enter into agreements, contracts, and other cooperative and collaborative partnerships with the federally recognized Indian Tribe regarding management of the special management area under relevant Federal authority, including—
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);
the Tribal Self-Governance Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5361 et seq.);
the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 3115a et seq.);
the good neighbor authority under section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a);
Executive Order 13175 (25 U.S.C. 5301 note; relating to consultation and coordination with Indian Tribal governments);
Secretarial Order 3342, issued by the Secretary of the Interior on October 21, 2016 (relating to identifying opportunities for cooperative and collaborative partnerships with federally recognized Indian Tribes in the management of Federal lands and resources); and
Joint Secretarial Order 3403, issued by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture on November 15, 2021 (relating to fulfilling the trust responsibility to Indian Tribes in the stewardship of Federal lands and waters).
Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land located in the special management area is withdrawn from—
all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws;
location, entry, and patenting under the mining laws; and
operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
Subject to valid existing rights, there are established the following scenic areas:
Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest comprising approximately 18,666 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Condor Ridge Scenic Area—Proposed
and dated March 29, 2019, which shall be known as the Condor Ridge Scenic Area
.
Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest and the Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 16,216 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled Black Mountain Scenic Area—Proposed
and dated March 29, 2019, which shall be known as the Black Mountain Scenic Area
.
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior shall file a map and legal description of the Condor Ridge Scenic Area and Black Mountain Scenic Area with—
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
The maps and legal descriptions filed under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary of Agriculture may correct any clerical and typographical errors in the maps and legal descriptions.
The maps and legal descriptions filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
The purpose of the scenic areas is to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations the ecological, scenic, wildlife, recreational, cultural, historical, natural, educational, and scientific resources of the scenic areas.
The Secretary shall administer the scenic areas—
in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the resources of the scenic areas, and in particular the scenic character attributes of the scenic areas; and
in accordance with—
this section;
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) for land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior;
any laws (including regulations) relating to the National Forest System, for land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture; and
any other applicable law (including regulations).
The Secretary shall only allow those uses of the scenic areas that the Secretary determines would further the purposes described in subsection (c).
Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land in the scenic areas is withdrawn from all forms of—
entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
The following shall be prohibited on the Federal land within the scenic areas:
Permanent roads.
Permanent structures.
Timber harvesting except when necessary for the purposes described in subsection (g).
Transmission lines.
Except as necessary to meet the minimum requirements for the administration of the scenic areas and to protect public health and safety—
the use of motorized vehicles; or
the establishment of temporary roads.
Commercial enterprises, except as necessary for realizing the purposes of the scenic areas.
Consistent with this section, the Secretary may take any measures in the scenic areas that the Secretary determines to be necessary to control fire, insects, and diseases, including, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, the coordination of those activities with the State or a local agency.
The fact that an otherwise authorized activity or use can be seen or heard within a scenic area shall not preclude the activity or use outside the boundary of the scenic area.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a study that addresses the feasibility of, and alternatives for, connecting the northern and southern portions of the Los Padres National Forest by establishing a trail across the applicable portions of the northern and southern Santa Lucia Mountains of the southern California Coastal Range by designating the Condor National Scenic Trail as a component of the National Trails System.
In carrying out the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture shall—
comply with the requirements for studies for a national scenic trail described in section 5(b) of the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1244(b));
provide for a continual hiking route through and connecting the southern and northern sections of the Los Padres National Forest;
promote recreational, scenic, wilderness, and cultural values;
enhance connectivity with the overall system of National Forest System trails;
consider new connectors and realignment of existing trails;
emphasize safe and continuous public access, dispersal from high-use areas, and suitable water sources; and
to the extent practicable, provide all-year use.
In completing the study required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture shall consult with—
appropriate Federal, State, Tribal, regional, and local agencies;
private landowners;
nongovernmental organizations; and
members of the public.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall submit the study required under subsection (a) to—
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Chief of the Forest Service) shall study the feasibility of opening a new trail, for vehicles measuring 50 inches or less, connecting Forest Service Highway 95 to the existing off-highway vehicle trail system in the Ballinger Canyon off-highway vehicle area.
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with interested parties, shall conduct a study to improve nonmotorized recreation trail opportunities (including mountain bicycling) on land not designated as wilderness within the Santa Barbara, Ojai, and Mt. Pinos ranger districts.
The Secretary shall ensure that Tribes have access, in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), to the wilderness areas, scenic areas, and potential wilderness areas designated by this Act for traditional cultural and religious purposes.
In carrying out this section, the Secretary, on request of a Tribe, may temporarily close to the general public one or more specific portions of a wilderness area, scenic area, or potential wilderness area designated by this Act to protect the privacy of the members of the Tribe in the conduct of traditional cultural and religious activities.
Any closure under paragraph (1) shall be—
made in such a manner as to affect the smallest practicable area for the minimum period of time necessary for the activity to be carried out; and
be consistent with the purpose and intent of Public Law 95–341 (commonly known as the American Indian Religious Freedom Act) (42 U.S.C. 1996) and the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.).