PUBLIC Lands Act

Summary#

This bill, called the PUBLIC Lands Act, would create new protections, management areas, and programs for many federal lands in the State. It establishes the South Fork Trinity–Mad River Restoration Area (about 871,414 acres) and directs joint restoration and fire management plans. It creates the California Public Land Remediation Partnership to coordinate cleanup of federal lands harmed by illegal activities (including illegal marijuana cultivation). The bill requires many studies and authorizes designations or construction of trails (for hiking, mountain biking, and off-highway vehicles) and visitor centers. It designates many new wilderness areas and additions, creates potential wilderness that can be converted after restoration, and adds or amends many river segments to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The bill also establishes scenic areas and special management areas, sets rules for their management (including limits on roads, structures, timber harvest, and motorized use), and requires maps and updates to land management plans. Other provisions preserve existing Pacific Gas and Electric utility rights-of-way, allow continued use of certain existing water facilities in Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness, and ensure tribal access and limited temporary closures for traditional cultural and religious activities.

What it means for you#

• Visitors and recreation users: The bill directs studies and possible construction of many trails and visitor centers. Some areas would be managed for nonmotorized recreation while others allow continued motorized use where already authorized. Maps and public information would be made available.
• Local communities and governments: The bill calls for collaboration with State, Tribal, and local governments on plans and studies and allows cooperative agreements and partnerships for trail maintenance, visitor services, and overnight accommodations if found feasible.
• Land and resource managers: The Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service must prepare or update restoration, fire, and land management plans, develop maps and legal descriptions, and follow new direction for managing designated areas.
• Tribes: The bill requires the Secretary to ensure Tribal access for traditional cultural and religious uses and allows temporary closures at Tribal request to protect privacy during those activities.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on total costs. The bill frequently states activities are "subject to appropriations." It authorizes studies, management plans, cooperative agreements, grants, hiring staff, and capital projects that could require future appropriations or non-Federal contributions. The bill also allows the partnership to obtain funds from Federal and non-Federal sources.

Proponents' View#

The bill spells out its purposes in the text: to restore and maintain fire-resilient forests, protect and restore aquatic habitat and fish, protect water quality, reduce wildfire threat to nearby communities, conserve scenic and natural resources, and support recreation and public enjoyment. It also calls for collaboration among Federal, State, Tribal, and local partners and use of prescribed fire and shaded fuel breaks in fire management plans.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.