H.R. 033 | Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Crafts introduced the following bill;

A BILL
To designate and expand wilderness areas in Olympic National Forest in the State of Washington, and to designate certain rivers in Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park as wild and scenic rivers, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act”.

SEC. 2. Designation of olympic national forest wilderness areas.

(a) In general.—In furtherance of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following Federal land in the Olympic National Forest in the State of Washington comprising approximately 126,554 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Proposed Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act” and dated April 8, 2019 (referred to in this section as the “map”), is designated as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System:

(1) LOST CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 7,159 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the “Lost Creek Wilderness”.

(2) RUGGED RIDGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 5,956 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the “Rugged Ridge Wilderness”.

(3) ALCKEE CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 1,787 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the “Alckee Creek Wilderness”.

(4) GATES OF THE ELWHA WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 5,669 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the “Gates of the Elwha Wilderness”.

(5) BUCKHORN WILDERNESS ADDITIONS.—Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 21,965 acres, as generally depicted on the map, is incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the “Buckhorn Wilderness”, as designated by section 3 of the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–339).

(6) GREEN MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 4,790 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the “Green Mountain Wilderness”.

(7) THE BROTHERS WILDERNESS ADDITIONS.—Certain land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 8,625 acres, as generally depicted on the map, is incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the “The Brothers Wilderness”, as designated by section 3 of the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–339).

(8) MOUNT SKOKOMISH WILDERNESS ADDITIONS.—Certain land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 8,933 acres, as generally depicted on the map, is incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the “Mount Skokomish Wilderness”, as designated by section 3 of the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–339).

(9) WONDER MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS ADDITIONS.—Certain land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 26,517 acres, as generally depicted on the map, is incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the “Wonder Mountain Wilderness”, as designated by section 3 of the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–339).

(10) MOONLIGHT DOME WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 9,117 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the “Moonlight Dome Wilderness”.

(11) SOUTH QUINAULT RIDGE WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 10,887 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the “South Quinault Ridge Wilderness”.

(12) COLONEL BOB WILDERNESS ADDITIONS.—Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 353 acres, as generally depicted on the map, is incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the “Colonel Bob Wilderness”, as designated by section 3 of the Washington State Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 98–339).

(13) SAMS RIVER WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 13,418 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the “Sams River Wilderness”.

(14) CANOE CREEK WILDERNESS.—Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 1,378 acres, as generally depicted on the map, which shall be known as the “Canoe Creek Wilderness”.

(b) Administration.—

(1) MANAGEMENT.—Subject to valid existing rights, the land designated as wilderness by subsection (a) shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”), in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that 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.

(2) MAP AND DESCRIPTION.—

(A) 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 land designated as wilderness by subsection (a) with—

(i) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives; and

(ii) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.

(B) EFFECT.—Each map and legal description filed under subparagraph (A) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct minor errors in the map and legal description.

(C) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—Each map and legal description filed under subparagraph (A) shall be filed and made available for public inspection in the appropriate office of the Forest Service.

(c) Potential wilderness.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service, comprising approximately 5,346 acres as identified as “Potential Wilderness” on the map, is designated as potential wilderness.

(2) DESIGNATION AS WILDERNESS.—On the date on which the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register notice that any nonconforming uses in the potential wilderness designated by paragraph (1) have terminated, the potential wilderness shall be—

(A) designated as wilderness and as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System; and

(B) incorporated into the adjacent wilderness area.

(d) Adjacent management.—

(1) NO PROTECTIVE PERIMETERS OR BUFFER ZONES.—The designations in this section shall not create a protective perimeter or buffer zone around any wilderness area.

(2) NONCONFORMING USES PERMITTED OUTSIDE OF BOUNDARIES OF WILDERNESS AREAS.—Any activity or use outside of the boundary of any wilderness area designated under this section shall be permitted even if the activity or use would be seen or heard within the boundary of the wilderness area.

(e) Fire, insects, and diseases.—The Secretary may take such measures as are necessary to control fire, insects, and diseases, in the wilderness areas designated by this section, in accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)) and subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

SEC. 3. Wild and scenic river designations.

(a) In general.—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:

“(233) ELWHA RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The approximately 29.0-mile segment of the Elwha River and tributaries from the source to Cat Creek, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a wild river.

“(234) DUNGENESS RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the Dungeness River from the headwaters to the State of Washington Department of Natural Resources land in T. 29 N., R. 4 W., sec. 12, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, except that portions of the river within the boundaries of Olympic National Park shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, including the following segments of the mainstem and major tributary the Gray Wolf River, in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 5.8-mile segment of the Dungeness River from the headwaters to the 2870 Bridge, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 2.1-mile segment of the Dungeness River from the 2870 Bridge to Silver Creek, as a scenic river.

“(C) The approximately 2.7-mile segment of the Dungeness River from Silver Creek to Sleepy Hollow Creek, as a wild river.

“(D) The approximately 6.3-mile segment of the Dungeness River from Sleepy Hollow Creek to the Olympic National Forest boundary, as a scenic river.

“(E) The approximately 1.9-mile segment of the Dungeness River from the National Forest boundary to the State of Washington Department of Natural Resources land in T. 29 N., R. 4 W., sec. 12, to be administered as a recreational river through a cooperative management agreement between the State of Washington and the Secretary of Agriculture, as provided in section 10(e).

“(F) The approximately 16.1-mile segment of the Gray Wolf River from the headwaters to the 2870 Bridge, as a wild river.

“(G) The approximately 1.1-mile segment of the Gray Wolf River from the 2870 Bridge to the confluence with the Dungeness River, as a scenic river.

“(235) BIG QUILCENE RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the Big Quilcene River from the headwaters to the City of Port Townsend water intake facility, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 4.4-mile segment from the headwaters to the Buckhorn Wilderness boundary, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 5.3-mile segment from the Buckhorn Wilderness boundary to the City of Port Townsend water intake facility, as a scenic river.

“(C) Section 7(a), with respect to the licensing of dams, water conduits, reservoirs, powerhouses, transmission lines, or other project works, shall apply to the approximately 5-mile segment from the City of Port Townsend water intake facility to the Olympic National Forest boundary.

“(236) DOSEWALLIPS RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the Dosewallips River from the headwaters to the private land in T. 26 N., R. 3 W., sec. 15, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, except that portions of the river within the boundaries of Olympic National Park shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 12.9-mile segment from the headwaters to Station Creek, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 6.8-mile segment from Station Creek to the private land in T. 26 N., R. 3 W., sec. 15, as a scenic river.

“(237) DUCKABUSH RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the Duckabush River from the headwaters to the private land in T. 25 N., R. 3 W., sec. 1, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, except that portions of the river within the boundaries of Olympic National Park shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 19.0-mile segment from the headwaters to the Brothers Wilderness boundary, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 1.9-mile segment from the Brothers Wilderness boundary to the private land in T. 25 N., R. 3 W., sec. 1, as a scenic river.

“(238) HAMMA HAMMA RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the Hamma Hamma River from the headwaters to the eastern edge of the NW1⁄4 sec. 21, T. 24 N., R. 3 W., to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 3.1-mile segment from the headwaters to the Mt. Skokomish Wilderness boundary, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 5.8-mile segment from the Mt. Skokomish Wilderness boundary to Lena Creek, as a scenic river.

“(C) The approximately 6.8-mile segment from Lena Creek to the eastern edge of the NW1⁄4 sec. 21, T. 24 N., R. 3 W., to be administered as a recreational river through a cooperative management agreement between the State of Washington and the Secretary of Agriculture, as provided in section 10(e).

“(239) SOUTH FORK SKOKOMISH RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the South Fork Skokomish River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Forest boundary to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 6.7-mile segment from the headwaters to Church Creek, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 8.3-mile segment from Church Creek to LeBar Creek, as a scenic river.

“(C) The approximately 4.0-mile segment from LeBar Creek to upper end of the gorge in the NW1⁄4 sec. 22, T. 22 N., R. 5 W., as a recreational river.

“(D) The approximately 6.0-mile segment from the upper end of the gorge to the Olympic National Forest boundary, as a scenic river.

“(240) MIDDLE FORK SATSOP RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The approximately 7.9-mile segment of the Middle Fork Satsop River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Forest boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, as a scenic river.

“(241) WEST FORK SATSOP RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The approximately 8.2-mile segment of the West Fork Satsop River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Forest boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, as a scenic river.

“(242) WYNOOCHEE RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the Wynoochee River from the headwaters to the head of Wynoochee Reservoir to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, except that portions of the river within the boundaries of Olympic National Park shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 2.5-mile segment from the headwaters to the boundary of the Wonder Mountain Wilderness, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 7.4-mile segment from the boundary of the Wonder Mountain Wilderness to the head of Wynoochee Reservoir, as a recreational river.

“(243) EAST FORK HUMPTULIPS RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the East Fork Hump­tu­lips River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Forest boundary to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 7.4-mile segment from the headwaters to the Moonlight Dome Wilderness boundary, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 10.3-mile segment from the Moonlight Dome Wilderness boundary to the Olympic National Forest boundary, as a scenic river.

“(244) WEST FORK HUMPTULIPS RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The approximately 21.4-mile segment of the West Fork Humptulips River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Forest Boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, as a scenic river.

“(245) QUINAULT RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the Quinault River from the headwaters to private land in T. 24 N., R. 8 W., sec. 33, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 16.5-mile segment from the headwaters to Graves Creek, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 6.7-mile segment from Graves Creek to Cannings Creek, as a scenic river.

“(C) The approximately 1.0-mile segment from Cannings Creek to private land in T. 24 N., R. 8 W., sec. 33, as a recreational river.

“(246) QUEETS RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the Queets River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Park boundary to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, except that portions of the river outside the boundaries of Olympic National Park shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, including the following segments of the mainstem and certain tributaries in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 28.6-mile segment of the Queets River from the headwaters to the confluence with Sams River, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 16.0-mile segment of the Queets River from the confluence with Sams River to the Olympic National Park boundary, as a scenic river.

“(C) The approximately 15.7-mile segment of the Sams River from the headwaters to the confluence with the Queets River, as a scenic river.

“(D) The approximately 17.7-mile segment of Matheny Creek from the headwaters to the confluence with the Queets River, to be administered as a scenic river through a cooperative management agreement between the State of Washington and the Secretary of Agriculture, as provided in section 10(e).

“(247) HOH RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the Hoh River and the major tributary South Fork Hoh from the headwaters to Olympic National Park boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 20.7-mile segment of the Hoh River from the headwaters to Jackson Creek, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 6.0-mile segment of the Hoh River from Jackson Creek to the Olympic National Park boundary, as a scenic river.

“(C) The approximately 13.8-mile segment of the South Fork Hoh River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Park boundary, as a wild river.

“(D) The approximately 4.6-mile segment of the South Fork Hoh River from the Olympic National Park boundary to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources boundary in T. 27 N., R. 10 W., sec. 29, to be administered as a recreational river through a cooperative management agreement between the State of Washington and the Secretary of Agriculture, as provided in section 10(e).

“(248) BOGACHIEL RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The approximately 25.6-mile segment of the Bogachiel River from the source to the Olympic National Park boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, as a wild river.

“(249) SOUTH FORK CALAWAH RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the South Fork Calawah River and the major tributary Sitkum River from the headwaters to Hyas Creek to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, except those portions of the river within the boundaries of Olympic National Park shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, including the following segments in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 15.7-mile segment of the South Fork Calawah River from the headwaters to the Sitkum River, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 0.9-mile segment of the South Fork Calawah River from the Sitkum River to Hyas Creek, as a scenic river.

“(C) The approximately 1.6-mile segment of the Sitkum River from the headwaters to the Rugged Ridge Wilderness boundary, as a wild river.

“(D) The approximately 11.9-mile segment of the Sitkum River from the Rugged Ridge Wilderness boundary to the confluence with the South Fork Calawah, as a scenic river.

“(250) SOL DUC RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The segment of the Sol Duc River from the headwaters to the Olympic National Park boundary to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, including the following segments of the mainstem and certain tributaries in the following classes:

“(A) The approximately 7.0-mile segment of the Sol Duc River from the headwaters to the end of Sol Duc Hot Springs Road, as a wild river.

“(B) The approximately 10.8-mile segment of the Sol Duc River from the end of Sol Duc Hot Springs Road to the Olympic National Park boundary, as a scenic river.

“(C) The approximately 14.2-mile segment of the North Fork Sol Duc River from the headwaters to the Olympic Hot Springs Road bridge, as a wild river.

“(D) The approximately 0.2-mile segment of the North Fork Sol Duc River from the Olympic Hot Springs Road bridge to the confluence with the Sol Duc River, as a scenic river.

“(E) The approximately 8.0-mile segment of the South Fork Sol Duc River from the headwaters to the confluence with the Sol Duc River, as a scenic river.

“(251) LYRE RIVER, WASHINGTON.—The approximately 0.2-mile segment of the Lyre River from Lake Crescent to the Olympic National Park boundary, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a scenic river.”.

(b) Restoration.—Consistent with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) (including any regulations promulgated under that Act), the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as applicable, may authorize, with respect to a river segment designated by the amendment made by subsection (a), an activity or a project, the primary purpose of which is—

(1) river restoration;

(2) the recovery of a species listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or

(3) restoring ecological and hydrological function.

(c) Updates to land and resource management plans.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, with respect to the designations made under subsection (a) on lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, incorporate such designations into updated management plans for units of the National Forest System in accordance with applicable laws (including regulations).

(2) EXCEPTION.—The date specified in paragraph (1) shall be 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act if the Secretary of Agriculture—

(A) is unable to meet the requirement under that paragraph by the date specified in such paragraph; and

(B) not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, includes in the Department of Agriculture annual budget submission to Congress a request for additional sums as may be necessary to meet the requirement of that paragraph.

(3) COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—Updated management plans under paragraph (1) or (2) satisfy the requirements under section 3(d) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(d)).

SEC. 4. Existing rights and withdrawal.

(a) In general.—In accordance with section 12(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1283(b)), nothing in this Act or the amendment made by section 3(a) affects or abrogates existing rights, privileges, or contracts held by private parties, nor does this Act in any way modify or direct the management, acquisition, or disposition of land managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources on behalf of the State of Washington.

(b) Withdrawal.—Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land within the boundaries of the river segments designated by this Act and the amendment made by section 3(a) is withdrawn from all forms of—

(1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;

(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(3) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.

SEC. 5. Treaty rights.

Nothing in this Act alters, modifies, diminishes, or extinguishes the reserved treaty rights of any Indian Tribe with hunting, fishing, gathering, and cultural or religious rights as protected by a treaty.

 

PES: Designates 126,600 acres as wilderness area within Olympic National Forest and creates 19 new Wild and Scenic Rivers while protecting timber jobs.

Edited December 22, 2024 by Brink

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The House shall come to order to debate this legislation for a period of 72 hours.

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Representative Adam Smith (WA-9, Progressive Caucus)

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today in strong support of the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Our nation’s public lands and waters are a legacy we hold in trust, and nowhere is this more evident than on Washington State’s breathtaking Olympic Peninsula.

This bill designates over 126,000 acres of Olympic National Forest as wilderness and protects over 450 miles of pristine rivers as wild and scenic. For generations, the rivers, old-growth forests, and rugged mountains of the Olympic Peninsula have provided clean drinking water, critical wildlife habitat, and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation.

By safeguarding these lands, we ensure that the salmon continue to spawn in the Elwha, the ancient trees of the Hoh and Queets stand tall, and that the spirit of the wild places that define our region remains intact for our children and grandchildren.

This is not just an investment in conservation, but in our local economy. Recreation and tourism are pillars of our rural Washington communities, supporting jobs in guiding, fishing, and hospitality. Healthy ecosystems mean healthy communities.

Moreover, this bill reflects years of collaboration with stakeholders — tribes, local businesses, conservation groups, and sportsmen. It strikes the right balance: protecting critical lands and waters while allowing sustainable use.

In an era where wild places are increasingly under threat, this legislation offers us an opportunity to be responsible stewards of what we’ve been given. Let’s pass this bill and give the Wild Olympics the protection they deserve.

I yield the floor.

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The House shall vote on this legislation for a period of 36 hours.

[Elizabeth Hunt R-AL]

Aye 

[jakeakins]

Blue dogs: aye

[camilodeso]

New Dems: Aye

[Goldie]

Main Street: Aye

[Abrams]

Aye.

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The House has passed this legislation in a 433-0 vote and it will now be sent to the Senate.