H.R.2467 - America's Red Rock Wilderness Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 2467, the America's Red Rock Wilderness Act, seeks to designate specific federal lands within Utah's red rock canyons, Colorado Plateau, and Great Basin Deserts as wilderness areas. The bill outlines findings supporting the wilderness designation, emphasizing ecological, cultural, and recreational values. It also includes provisions for administrative management, state school trust lands, water rights, road management, livestock grazing, fish and wildlife management, tribal rights protection, and mineral withdrawal.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would permanently protect millions of acres of Utah land from development and resource extraction. This could lead to increased tourism and recreational opportunities, but also potential restrictions on existing land uses such as grazing and mineral exploration.
Potential Benefits
- Preserves unique ecological landscapes and biodiversity in Utah.
- Protects cultural and archaeological resources, including Indigenous sites.
- Enhances recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, and fishing.
- Potentially increases tourism revenue for local communities.
- Contributes to climate change mitigation by reducing surface disturbances and protecting carbon sinks.
Potential Disadvantages
- Restricts resource extraction (mining, oil, and gas) potentially impacting local economies.
- Limits motorized vehicle access, affecting some recreational users and potentially hindering management activities.
- May impact existing grazing rights and practices.
- Could lead to conflicts between wilderness users and other stakeholders.
- Potential for increased management costs associated with wilderness areas.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with Congress's power to manage federal lands under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the US Constitution (the Property Clause). The designation of wilderness areas and associated regulations are within the scope of this power. The bill also acknowledges and seeks to protect tribal rights, which aligns with the federal government's trust responsibility to Native American tribes.
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).