Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6913
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-19: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-22T20:46:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill establishes frameworks for restoring forest ecosystems, expanding recreational opportunities, conserving natural resources, and supporting economic development on federal lands in Northern California. It focuses on fire-resilient forests, water quality, anadromous fisheries, and public access while balancing conservation with existing uses.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Title I (Forest Restoration): Creates the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area (approximately 871,414 acres) for ecological restoration, fire resilience, and habitat protection. Establishes the California Public Land Remediation Partnership to address damage from illegal activities such as marijuana cultivation through coordination among federal, state, tribal, and local entities. Requires updates to land and resource management plans and fire management plans emphasizing prescribed fire and shaded fuel breaks.
- Title II (Recreation): Authorizes feasibility studies and potential designation of the Bigfoot National Recreation Trail. Designates the Elk Camp Ridge Recreation Trail for off-highway vehicles and mountain bicycles. Supports construction of the Trinity Lake Trail and mountain bicycling routes. Provides for visitor centers in Weaverville and Del Norte County, partnerships for trail maintenance, and a study on overnight accommodations near Redwood National and State Parks.
- Title III (Conservation): Designates multiple new wilderness areas and additions (such as Black Butte River Wilderness, Chinquapin Wilderness, and additions to Trinity Alps and Siskiyou Wilderness) totaling tens of thousands of acres, to be managed under the Wilderness Act. Adds numerous river segments (including South Fork Trinity River, East Fork South Fork Trinity River, and others) to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System with wild, scenic, or recreational classifications. Establishes the Horse Mountain and Sanhedrin Special Management Areas for recreation and resource protection with limits on timber harvesting and motorized use. Designates potential wilderness areas for future evaluation.
- Title IV (Miscellaneous): Requires preparation of maps and legal descriptions. Incorporates designations into updated land management plans. Protects existing Pacific Gas and Electric Company utility facilities and rights-of-way. Releases portions of the Eden Valley Wilderness Study Area from further wilderness consideration. Ensures tribal access for traditional cultural and religious purposes, including temporary closures for privacy.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Expands the National Wilderness Preservation System and National Wild and Scenic Rivers System through new designations and additions.
- Modifies management of specific national forests (Shasta-Trinity, Six Rivers, Mendocino) and Bureau of Land Management lands by adding restrictions on motorized vehicles, mining, and leasing in designated areas while allowing continued grazing and certain recreational uses.
- Introduces collaborative planning requirements and partnerships not previously mandated in these locations.
- Releases certain wilderness study areas from ongoing protection under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases responsibilities for the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service in managing new wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, and special management areas, including fire planning and ecological restoration. Requires coordination with state agencies on remediation and recreation.
- Citizens: Enhances nonmotorized recreation trails and visitor facilities while imposing restrictions on motorized access, timber harvesting, and development in wilderness and special management areas. Supports local economies through restoration jobs and tourism but may limit certain resource extraction activities.
- International Relations: No direct impacts identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal land management agencies (Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service).
- State of California entities (Natural Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Water Resources Control Board).
- Local governments in Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino Counties.
- Federally recognized Indian Tribes for cultural access and partnership opportunities.
- Private landowners adjacent to trails or designated areas.
- Utility provider Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
- Recreation users, environmental organizations, and law enforcement agencies involved in remediation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Withdraws designated lands from mining, mineral leasing, and disposal under public land laws, consistent with wilderness protections.
- Includes provisions for tribal consultation and cooperative agreements under existing authorities such as the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
- Maintains protections for existing rights-of-way and military overflights while ensuring consistency with the Wilderness Act.
- Requires periodic reporting on ecological restoration progress in potential wilderness areas.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-19: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-12-19: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act — issued 2025-12-19 — PDF (83 pages)