S.1737 - Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1737, the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, aims to designate and expand wilderness areas within the Olympic National Forest in Washington State. It also seeks to designate certain rivers within the Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park as wild and scenic rivers. The bill outlines specific acreage for wilderness areas and segments of rivers to be included in the National Wilderness Preservation System and the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, respectively.
The Act designates approximately 126,554 acres of Federal land as wilderness and amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to include numerous rivers and their segments. Management of these areas will be split between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior, depending on the location.
Existing rights are protected, and the bill includes provisions for managing fire, insects, and diseases within the designated wilderness areas. It also addresses treaty rights of Indian Tribes, ensuring they are not diminished or extinguished.
Expected Effects
The likely effect of this bill is increased protection for the natural environment within the Olympic Peninsula. This includes preserving biodiversity, water quality, and recreational opportunities.
Designating these areas as wilderness and wild/scenic rivers will restrict development and resource extraction. This may impact local economies dependent on those activities.
Furthermore, the bill will require updated management plans for the National Forest System units, ensuring long-term conservation efforts.
Potential Benefits
- Environmental Preservation: Protects significant acreage of wilderness and numerous river segments, preserving biodiversity and natural habitats.
- Recreational Opportunities: Enhances opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking, fishing, and kayaking in a pristine environment.
- Water Quality Protection: Designating rivers as wild and scenic helps maintain water quality and protects watersheds.
- Economic Benefits from Tourism: Increased tourism due to the enhanced natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
- Long-Term Conservation: Ensures long-term conservation through updated management plans and restrictions on development.
Potential Disadvantages
- Restriction on Resource Extraction: Limits or prohibits logging, mining, and other resource extraction activities, potentially impacting local economies.
- Potential Job Losses: May lead to job losses in industries dependent on resource extraction.
- Increased Management Costs: Requires additional resources for managing and maintaining the designated wilderness and river areas.
- Limited Access for Some Users: Restrictions on motorized vehicles and other activities may limit access for some users.
- Potential for Increased Wildfires: Restrictions on active forest management may increase the risk of wildfires in the long term.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the US Constitution through Congress's power to manage federal lands and waters, as implied by Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2, which grants Congress the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States.
The bill also respects treaty rights, which are recognized under the Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2) of the Constitution, ensuring that the Act does not infringe upon the rights of Indian Tribes.
Furthermore, the Act does not appear to infringe upon individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).