This bill would withdraw certain federal lands in the Ruby Mountains subdistrict of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and lands in the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge from operation under the mineral leasing laws.
It identifies about 309,272 acres in the Ruby Mountains subdistrict (map titled "S. 258 Ruby Mountains Protective Act", dated December 5, 2019) and about 39,926.10 acres in Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge (map titled "S. XXX Ruby Mountains Protection Act", dated February 23, 2021). Both map files are to be kept on file and available for public inspection in the Forest Service or Fish and Wildlife Service offices named in the bill.
The withdrawals are subject to valid existing rights. Lands or interests acquired by the United States after enactment that fall inside the named boundaries would also be withdrawn. For the refuge land, the withdrawal does not apply to noncommercial refuge management activities carried out by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
If this bill is enacted, the named Ruby Mountains and Ruby Lake refuge areas would be removed from availability under the mineral leasing laws. That means the lands would not be open for new mineral leasing under those laws, subject to any valid existing rights. Maps showing the exact boundaries are available for public inspection at the agencies named in the bill. Lands acquired later inside the boundaries would be treated the same way. The refuge withdrawal still allows noncommercial refuge management activities by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
No publicly available information.
Sponsors listed in the bill metadata: Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen. No publicly available information on proponents' stated reasons or detailed views in the provided bill text or metadata.
No publicly available information.