Flatside Wilderness Additions Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1612

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2025-10-27: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 219.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T20:13:21Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation aims to expand and redesignate a portion of the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas as protected wilderness area, enhancing conservation efforts by adding specific lands to an existing wilderness designation while preserving management flexibility for natural threats like fires and pests.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The Act is titled the "Flatside Wilderness Additions Act."
• Land Addition: Amends the Arkansas Wilderness Act of 1984 to include approximately 2,212 acres of land in the Ouachita National Forest as part of the Flatside Wilderness. This addition is defined by a map titled "Flatside Wilderness, Proposed Addition Designation," dated November 12, 2024.
• Management Authority: Explicitly states that the Act does not restrict the Secretary of Agriculture's existing powers under the Wilderness Act of 1964 to address fires, insects, and diseases, in line with current laws and regulations.
• Redesignation and References: Renames the expanded Flatside Wilderness as the "Flatside-Bethune Wilderness." Any official U.S. references to the original Flatside Wilderness portion are updated to reflect the new name.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Modifies Section 3(d) of the Arkansas Wilderness Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-508) by inserting a description of the new 2,212-acre addition, effectively enlarging the protected area without altering broader wilderness management rules.
• No changes to the core Wilderness Act of 1964, but reinforces its application by clarifying ongoing administrative authorities.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The U.S. Forest Service (under the Department of Agriculture) will manage the expanded area with wilderness protections, limiting activities like logging or road-building while maintaining tools for hazard control. This may require minor updates to planning and mapping.
• Citizens: Enhances opportunities for low-impact recreation (e.g., hiking, wildlife viewing) in a preserved natural setting, but restricts commercial development or motorized access on the added lands, potentially affecting local economies reliant on resource extraction.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic conservation measure focused on U.S. federal lands.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. Forest Service and Department of Agriculture: Primary managers responsible for implementing and enforcing the new designation.
• Environmental and Conservation Groups: Benefit from expanded protections for biodiversity and ecosystems in the Ouachita National Forest.
• Local Communities and Recreation Users in Arkansas: Gain preserved natural areas for public enjoyment but may face limitations on land use; includes hunters, hikers, and nearby residents.
• Indigenous or Historical Groups: Potential indirect benefits if the area holds cultural significance (e.g., the "Bethune" name may reference local history), though not explicitly addressed.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Aligns with the Wilderness Act of 1964, which protects designated areas from development to maintain their "wilderness character" (defined as untouched by human civilization). The Act's clarification on fire and pest management avoids conflicts with environmental laws by upholding administrative discretion.
• Constitutional: No apparent challenges; falls under Congress's authority over federal lands (Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 3), promoting public welfare through conservation without infringing on individual rights.
• Political: Supports bipartisan conservation goals by building on prior legislation (1984 Act), potentially fostering local support in Arkansas for federal land stewardship while balancing economic interests through preserved management flexibility. No major controversies noted in the bill text.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-10-27: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 219.
• 2025-10-27: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
• 2025-10-27: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.
• 2025-10-21: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
• 2025-05-14: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
• 2025-05-13: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2025-05-13: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1967)
• 2025-05-13: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1967)
• 2025-05-13: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1612.
• 2025-05-13: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1966-1969)
• 2025-05-13: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
• 2025-02-26: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-26: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Flatside Wilderness Additions Act — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (4 pages)
• Flatside Wilderness Additions Act — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (2 pages)
• Flatside Wilderness Additions Act — issued 2025-05-14 — PDF (3 pages)
• Flatside Wilderness Additions Act — issued 2025-10-27 — PDF (4 pages)