[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3526 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 3526
To provide for the protection of and investment in certain Federal land
in the State of California, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 17, 2025
Mr. Padilla (for himself and Mr. Schiff) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the protection of and investment in certain Federal land
in the State of California, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Unique
and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California Lands Act'' or the
``PUBLIC Lands Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--FOREST RESTORATION
Sec. 101. South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area.
Sec. 102. California Public Land Remediation Partnership.
Sec. 103. Land and resource management plans.
Sec. 104. Annual fire management plans.
TITLE II--RECREATION
Sec. 201. Bigfoot National Recreation Trail.
Sec. 202. Elk Camp Ridge Recreation Trail.
Sec. 203. Trinity Lake Trail.
Sec. 204. Condor National Scenic Trail study.
Sec. 205. Los Padres, Six Rivers, Shasta-Trinity, and Mendocino
National Forests trails study.
Sec. 206. Construction of mountain bicycling routes.
Sec. 207. Partnerships.
Sec. 208. Trinity Lake Visitor Center.
Sec. 209. Del Norte County Visitor Center.
Sec. 210. Study; partnerships related to overnight accommodations.
TITLE III--CONSERVATION
Sec. 301. Designation of wilderness.
Sec. 302. Administration of wilderness.
Sec. 303. Designation of potential wilderness.
Sec. 304. Designation of wild and scenic rivers.
Sec. 305. Wild and scenic rivers study.
Sec. 306. Scenic areas.
Sec. 307. Special management areas.
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 401. Maps and legal descriptions.
Sec. 402. Updates to land and resource management plans.
Sec. 403. Pacific Gas and Electric Company utility facilities and
rights-of-way.
Sec. 404. Reauthorization of existing water facilities in Pleasant View
Ridge Wilderness.
Sec. 405. Use by members of Indian Tribes.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means--
(A) with respect to land under the jurisdiction of
the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of
Agriculture; and
(B) with respect to land under the jurisdiction of
the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of the
Interior.
(2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of
California.
TITLE I--FOREST RESTORATION
SEC. 101. SOUTH FORK TRINITY-MAD RIVER RESTORATION AREA.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Ecological integrity.--The term ``ecological
integrity'' has the meaning given the term in section 219.19 of
title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date
of enactment of this Act).
(2) Restoration.--The term ``restoration'' has the meaning
given the term in section 219.19 of title 36, Code of Federal
Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this
Act).
(3) Restoration area.--The term ``restoration area'' means
the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area established
by subsection (b).
(4) Shaded fuel break.--The term ``shaded fuel break''
means a vegetation treatment that--
(A) reduces fuel characteristics in order to affect
fire behavior such that a fire can be more readily
controlled; and
(B) retains, to the maximum extent practicable--
(i) adequate canopy cover to suppress plant
regrowth in the forest understory following
treatment; and
(ii) the largest and most vigorous trees in
order to provide the most shade per tree over
the longest period of time.
(b) Establishment.--Subject to valid existing rights, there is
established the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area,
comprising approximately 871,414 acres of Federal land administered by
the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, as generally
depicted on the map entitled ``South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration
Area'' and dated May 15, 2020.
(c) Purposes.--The purposes of the Restoration Area are--
(1) to establish, restore, and maintain fire-resilient
mature and late successional forests, as ecologically
appropriate;
(2) to protect and restore aquatic habitat and anadromous
fisheries;
(3) to protect the quality of water;
(4) to reduce the threat posed by wildfires to neighboring
communities; and
(5) to allow visitors to enjoy the scenic, recreational,
natural, cultural, and wildlife values of the Restoration Area.
(d) Collaborative Restoration and Fire Management Plans.--Not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior shall jointly submit to
Congress--
(1) a plan to conduct restoration activities and improve
the ecological integrity of the restoration area; and
(2) an updated fire management plan for the land that
includes the restoration area.
(e) Collaboration Requirement.--In developing the plans required
under subsection (d), the Secretary shall solicit input from a
collaborative group that--
(1) includes--
(A) appropriate representatives of State and local
governments; and
(B) multiple interested persons representing
diverse interests; and
(2) is transparent and inclusive.
(f) Fire Management Plan Components.--The updated fire management
plan required under subsection (d)(2) shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, include--
(1) the use of prescribed fire; and
(2) the use of shaded fuel breaks.
(g) Management.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct restoration
activities in a manner consistent with the plans required under
subsection (d).
(2) Conflict of laws.--
(A) In general.--The establishment of the
restoration area shall not modify the management status
of any land or water that is designated as a component
of the National Wilderness Preservation System or the
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, including land
or water designated as a component of the National
Wilderness Preservation System or the National Wild and
Scenic Rivers System by this Act (including an
amendment made by this Act).
(B) Resolution of conflict.--If there is a conflict
between a law applicable to a component described in
subparagraph (A) and this section, the more restrictive
provision shall control.
(h) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the restoration
area is 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 laws relating to mineral and
geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
SEC. 102. CALIFORNIA PUBLIC LAND REMEDIATION PARTNERSHIP.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Partnership.--The term ``partnership'' means the
California Public Land Remediation Partnership established by
subsection (b).
(2) Priority land.--The term ``priority land'' means
Federal land in the State that is determined by the partnership
to be a high priority for remediation.
(3) Remediation.--
(A) In general.--The term ``remediation'' means to
facilitate the recovery of land or water that has been
degraded, damaged, or destroyed by illegal marijuana
cultivation or another illegal activity.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``remediation''
includes--
(i) the removal of trash, debris, or other
material; and
(ii) establishing the composition,
structure, pattern, and ecological processes
necessary to facilitate terrestrial or aquatic
ecosystem sustainability, resilience, or health
under current and future conditions.
(b) Establishment.--There is established the California Public Land
Remediation Partnership.
(c) Purposes.--The purposes of the partnership are to support
coordination of activities among Federal, State, Tribal, and local
authorities and the private sector in the remediation of priority land
in the State affected by illegal marijuana cultivation or another
illegal activity.
(d) Membership.--The members of the partnership shall include the
following:
(1) The Secretary of Agriculture (or a designee) to
represent the Forest Service.
(2) The Secretary of the Interior (or a designee) to
represent--
(A) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
(B) the Bureau of Land Management; and
(C) the National Park Service.
(3) The Director of the Office of National Drug Control
Policy (or a designee).
(4) The Secretary of the State Natural Resources Agency (or
a designee) to represent the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife.
(5) A designee of the California State Water Resources
Control Board.
(6) A designee of the California State Sheriffs'
Association.
(7) 1 member to represent federally recognized Indian
Tribes, to be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(8) 1 member to represent nongovernmental organizations
with an interest in Federal land remediation, to be appointed
by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(9) 1 member to represent local governmental interests, to
be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(10) A law enforcement official from each of the following:
(A) The Department of the Interior.
(B) The Department of Agriculture.
(11) A subject matter expert to provide expertise and
advice on methods needed for remediation efforts, to be
appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(12) A designee of the National Guard Counterdrug Program.
(13) Any other members that are determined to be
appropriate by the partnership.
(e) Duties.--To further the purposes of this section and subject to
subsection (f), the partnership shall--
(1) identify priority land for remediation in the State;
(2) secure voluntary contributions of resources from
Federal sources and non-Federal sources for remediation of
priority land in the State;
(3) support efforts by Federal, State, Tribal, and local
agencies and nongovernmental organizations in carrying out
remediation of priority land in the State;
(4) support research and education on the impacts of, and
solutions to, illegal marijuana cultivation and other illegal
activities on priority land in the State;
(5) involve other Federal, State, Tribal, and local
agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the public in
remediation efforts on priority land in the State, to the
maximum extent practicable; and
(6) carry out any other administrative or advisory
activities necessary to address remediation of priority land in
the State.
(f) Limitation.--Nothing in this section limits the authorities of
the Federal, State, Tribal, and local entities that comprise the
partnership.
(g) Authorities.--Subject to the prior approval of the Secretary of
Agriculture and consistent with applicable law (including regulations),
the partnership may--
(1) provide grants to the State, political subdivisions of
the State, nonprofit organizations, and other persons;
(2) enter into cooperative agreements with or provide
technical assistance to Federal agencies, the State, political
subdivisions of the State, nonprofit organizations, and other
interested persons;
(3) identify opportunities for collaborative efforts among
members of the partnership;
(4) hire and compensate staff;
(5) obtain funds or services from any source, including--
(A) Federal funds (including funds and services
provided under any other Federal law or program); and
(B) non-Federal funds;
(6) coordinate to identify sources of funding or services
that may be available for remediation activities;
(7) seek funds or services from any source, including--
(A) Federal funds (including funds and services
provided under any other Federal law or program); and
(B) non-Federal funds; and
(8) support--
(A) activities of partners; and
(B) any other activities that further the purposes
of this section.
(h) Procedures.--The partnership shall establish any internal
administrative procedures for the partnership that the partnership
determines to be necessary or appropriate.
(i) Local Hiring.--The partnership shall, to the maximum extent
practicable and in accordance with existing law, give preference to
local entities and individuals in carrying out this section.
(j) Service Without Compensation.--A member of the partnership
shall serve without pay.
(k) Duties and Authorities of the Secretaries.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall convene
the partnership on a regular basis to carry out this section.
(2) Technical and financial assistance.--The Secretary of
Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior may provide
technical and financial assistance, on a reimbursable or
nonreimbursable basis, as determined to be appropriate by the
Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, as
applicable, to the partnership or any members of the
partnership to carry out this section.
(3) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary of Agriculture
and the Secretary of the Interior may enter into cooperative
agreements with the partnership, any member of the partnership,
or other public or private entities to provide technical,
financial, or other assistance to carry out this section.
SEC. 103. LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANS.
In revising the land and resource management plan for the Shasta-
Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests, the Secretary of Agriculture
shall consider the purposes of the South Fork Trinity-Mad River
Restoration Area established by section 101(b).
SEC. 104. ANNUAL FIRE MANAGEMENT PLANS.
In revising the fire management plan for a wilderness area or
wilderness addition designated by section 301(a), the Secretary shall--
(1) develop spatial fire management plans in accordance
with--
(A) the Guidance for Implementation of Federal
Wildland Fire Management Policy, dated February 13,
2009, including any amendments to the guidance; and
(B) other appropriate policies;
(2) ensure that a fire management plan--
(A) considers how prescribed or managed fire can be
used to achieve ecological management objectives of
wilderness and other natural or primitive areas; and
(B) in the case of a wilderness area to which land
is added under section 301, provides consistent
direction regarding fire management to the entire
wilderness area, including the wilderness addition;
(3) consult with--
(A) appropriate State, Tribal, and local
governmental entities; and
(B) members of the public; and
(4) comply with applicable law (including regulations).
TITLE II--RECREATION
SEC. 201. BIGFOOT NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL.
(a) Feasibility Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date on
which funds are made available to carry out this section, the
Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the
``Secretary''), in cooperation with the Secretary of the
Interior, shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a study that
describes the feasibility of establishing a nonmotorized
Bigfoot National Recreation Trail that follows the route
described in paragraph (2).
(2) Route.--The route referred to in paragraph (1) shall
extend from the Ides Cove Trailhead in the Mendocino National
Forest to Crescent City, California, following the route as
generally depicted on the map entitled ``Bigfoot National
Recreation Trail--Proposed'' and dated July 25, 2018.
(3) Additional requirement.--In completing the study
required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult
with--
(A) appropriate Federal, State, Tribal, regional,
and local agencies;
(B) private landowners;
(C) nongovernmental organizations; and
(D) members of the public.
(b) Designation.--
(1) In general.--On completion of the study under
subsection (a), if the Secretary determines that the Bigfoot
National Recreation Trail is feasible and meets the
requirements for a National Recreation Trail under section 4 of
the National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C. 1243), the Secretary
shall designate the Bigfoot National Recreation Trail (referred