[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4877 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4877
To designate certain Federal land in the State of California as
wilderness.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 5, 2025
Mr. Carbajal (for himself, Ms. Brownley, and Mr. Panetta) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To designate certain Federal land in the State of California as
wilderness.
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 ``Central Coast Heritage Protection
Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Scenic area.--The term ``scenic area'' means a scenic
area designated by section 7(a).
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means--
(A) with respect to land managed by the Bureau of
Land Management, the Secretary of the Interior; and
(B) with respect to land managed by the Forest
Service, the Secretary of Agriculture.
(3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of
California.
(4) Wilderness area.--The term ``wilderness area'' means a
wilderness area or wilderness addition designated by section
3(a).
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS.
(a) In General.--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:
(1) Certain land in the Bakersfield Field Office of the
Bureau of Land Management comprising approximately 35,116
acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed
Caliente Mountain Wilderness'' and dated February 2, 2022,
which shall be known as the ``Caliente Mountain Wilderness''.
(2) 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''.
(3) 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''.
(4) 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).
(5) Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest
comprising approximately 54,036 acres, as generally depicted on
the maps entitled ``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).
(6) 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).
(7) Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest and the
Bakersfield Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management
comprising approximately 10,817 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``Machesna Mountain Wilderness--Proposed
Additions'' and 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).
(8) 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).
(9) Certain land in the Los Padres National Forest
comprising approximately 23,969 acres, as generally depicted on
the map entitled ``San Rafael Wilderness Area Additions--
Proposed'' and 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).
(10) 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).
(11) 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).
(12) 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''.
(b) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--
(1) In general.--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--
(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House
of Representatives.
(2) Force of law.--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.
(3) Public availability.--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.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF WILDERNESS.
(a) In General.--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--
(1) 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
(2) 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.
(b) Fire Management and Related Activities.--
(1) In general.--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)).
(2) Funding priorities.--Nothing in this Act limits funding
for fire and fuels management in the wilderness areas.
(3) Revision and development of local fire management
plans.--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.
(4) Administration.--In accordance with paragraph (1) and
any other applicable Federal law, to ensure a timely and
efficient response to a fire emergency in the wilderness areas,
the Secretary shall--
(A) 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
(B) enter into agreements with appropriate State or
local agencies.
(c) Grazing.--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--
(1) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C.
1133(d)(4));
(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;
(3) 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
(4) all other laws governing livestock grazing on Federal
public land.
(d) Fish and Wildlife.--
(1) In general.--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.
(2) Management activities.--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--
(A) consistent with relevant wilderness management
plans;
(B) conducted in accordance with appropriate
policies, such as the policies established in Appendix
B of House Report 101-405; and
(C) in accordance with memoranda of understanding
between the Federal agencies and the State Department
of Fish and Wildlife.
(e) Buffer Zones.--
(1) In general.--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.
(2) Activities or uses up to boundaries.--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.
(f) Military Activities.--Nothing in this Act precludes--
(1) low-level overflights of military aircraft over the
wilderness areas;
(2) the designation of new units of special airspace over
the wilderness areas; or
(3) the use or establishment of military flight training
routes over wilderness areas.
(g) Horses.--Nothing in this Act precludes horseback riding in, or
the entry of recreational saddle or pack stock into, a wilderness
area--
(1) in accordance with section 4(d)(5) of the Wilderness
Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(5)); and
(2) subject to any terms and conditions determined to be
necessary by the Secretary.
(h) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the wilderness
areas are withdrawn from--
(1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under
the public land laws;
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and
geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
(i) Incorporation of Acquired Land and Interests.--Any land within
the boundary of a wilderness area that is acquired by the United States
shall--
(1) become part of the wilderness area in which the land is
located; and
(2) be managed in accordance with--
(A) this section;
(B) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.);
and
(C) any other applicable law.
(j) Climatological Data Collection.--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.
SEC. 5. DESIGNATION OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS.
(a) Indian Creek, Mono Creek, and Matilija Creek, California.--
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) Indian creek, california.--The following segments
of Indian Creek in the State of California, to be administered
by the Secretary of Agriculture:
``(A) 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.
``(B) 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.
``(C) 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.
``(234) Mono creek, california.--The following segments of
Mono Creek in the State of California, to be administered by
the Secretary of Agriculture:
``(A) 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.
``(B) 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.
``(C) 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.
``(D) 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.
``(235) Matilija creek, california.--The following segments
of Matilija Creek in the State of California, to be
administered by the Secretary of Agriculture:
``(A) 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.
``(B) 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.''.
(b) Sespe Creek, California.--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:
``(142) Sespe creek, california.--The following segments of
Sespe Creek in the State of California, to be administered by
the Secretary of Agriculture:
``(A) 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.
``(B) 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.
``(C) 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.
``(D) 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.''.
(c) Sisquoc River, California.--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:
``(143) Sisquoc river, california.--The following segments
of the Sisquoc River and its tributaries