San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6783

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-17: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2026-03-26T08:06:47Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the "San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025," aims to protect and conserve federal lands in Southern California by designating new wilderness areas and wild and scenic rivers. It expands protections for natural habitats, wildlife, and recreational opportunities while balancing management needs like fire control and cultural access.

Key Provisions

• Wilderness Designations (Title I):
• Designates approximately 28,871 acres of federal land in the Angeles National Forest as wilderness under the National Wilderness Preservation System (established by the 1964 Wilderness Act, which protects undeveloped lands from most human development to preserve their natural state).
• New areas: Condor Peak Wilderness (8,207 acres) and Yerba Buena Wilderness (6,694 acres).
• Additions to existing areas: San Gabriel Wilderness (2,032 acres) and Sheep Mountain Wilderness (11,938 acres).
• Administration by the Secretary of Agriculture (head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA) follows the Wilderness Act, with allowances for:
• Fire, insect, and disease control, including updated fire plans and agreements with state/local firefighters.
• Fish and wildlife management to maintain populations and habitats.
• No protective buffer zones around wilderness; activities outside boundaries are not restricted if visible or audible from inside.
• Military overflights, flight training routes, and new airspace designations permitted.
• Horseback riding and pack stock use allowed under reasonable conditions.
• Withdrawal of lands from mining, leasing, and public land disposal (meaning no new claims or sales).
• Incorporation of any future acquired lands into the wilderness.
• Installation of weather or water data devices for flood control if essential.
• Recreational rock climbing, including existing fixed anchors (like bolts for safety), permitted with conditions.

• Wild and Scenic Rivers Designations and Studies (Title II):
• Amends the 1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (which protects free-flowing rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, or recreational values) to designate segments of Little Rock Creek and tributaries (totaling about 20.2 miles) in the Angeles National Forest:
• "Wild" segments (10.3 miles and two 1-mile portions): Remote, undeveloped areas with no roads or structures.
• "Scenic" segment (1 mile): Natural appearance with some development visible but not dominant.
• "Recreational" segment (6.6 miles): Accessible by road with some modifications but retaining free flow.
• Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to study three San Gabriel River forks (East, North, and West, totaling about 25.3 miles) within three years of funding availability. Studies will assess suitability for wild and scenic status and explore partnerships with state, local, and community groups.

• Miscellaneous Provisions (Title III):
• Requires USDA to create and publicly file maps and legal descriptions of designated areas, with corrections for errors.
• Mandates updates to the Angeles National Forest's land and resource management plans to include these designations.
• Ensures access for members of Indian Tribes (federally recognized Native American groups) to designated areas for traditional cultural and religious purposes, per the Wilderness Act. Allows temporary public closures of small areas for privacy during tribal activities, minimizing impact and complying with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (1978, which protects Native religious practices).
• Reauthorizes existing water transport facilities in the Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness for continued operation, maintenance, and repair if they predate the wilderness designation, serve non-federal lands under valid state water rights, and cannot be relocated without losing their purpose. Authorizations include protective conditions for the environment.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands the National Wilderness Preservation System by adding over 28,000 acres, building on prior designations like the 1968 San Gabriel Wilderness and 1984 Sheep Mountain Wilderness.
• Modifies the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by adding specific river segments to the national system and mandating new studies for potential future protections, the first such updates focused on these Southern California waterways.
• Introduces targeted exceptions and management flexibilities (e.g., for fire response, climbing, and tribal access) not previously detailed for these areas, while upholding core prohibitions on development.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The USDA Forest Service will gain responsibility for managing expanded wilderness and river areas, including plan updates, fire coordination, and tribal consultations. This may increase administrative workload and funding needs for monitoring and enforcement but prioritizes fire management resources without limits.
• Citizens: Enhances outdoor recreation (e.g., hiking, climbing, horseback riding) in protected areas near urban Southern California, benefiting millions in the Los Angeles region. Limits new development, mining, or leasing, potentially reducing environmental risks like habitat loss but restricting economic activities in those lands. Tribal members gain formalized access for cultural practices.
• International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic federal lands.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Government: Primarily the USDA Forest Service, responsible for implementation and management.
• Local and Regional Communities: Residents of Southern California (e.g., Los Angeles County), including recreation users, environmental advocates, and water rights holders who rely on existing facilities.
• Indian Tribes: Local tribes with cultural ties to the lands, gaining protected access rights.
• Environmental and Conservation Groups: Likely supporters due to expanded protections for biodiversity and scenic resources.
• Other Interests: Firefighters, climbers, equestrians, and potential miners or developers, who face new restrictions but retained allowances for essential activities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Aligns with and amends foundational conservation laws (Wilderness Act and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act), ensuring compatibility while adding specifics like tribal access under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. The bill respects "valid existing rights" (pre-existing legal claims) and state jurisdiction over fish, wildlife, and water, avoiding conflicts with property or water laws.
• Constitutional: No apparent challenges; designations are within Congress's authority over federal lands under the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article IV, Section 3), which allows regulation for public welfare. Tribal provisions uphold First Amendment religious freedoms and treaty obligations.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan environmental goals by balancing conservation with practical uses (e.g., fire safety, recreation), introduced by a diverse group of California representatives. Could set precedent for urban-proximate land protections amid climate pressures like wildfires, potentially influencing future regional bills.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

Cosponsors (22)

Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Rivas, Luz M. [D-CA-29], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-17: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-17: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-17 — PDF (15 pages)