[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2799 Introduced in House (IH)]







104th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2799

 To designate certain National Forest lands in the State of Montana as 
  wilderness, to release other National Forest lands in the State of 
      Montana for multiple use management, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 15, 1995

 Mr. Williams introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
      Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on 
Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, 
 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
                jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To designate certain National Forest lands in the State of Montana as 
  wilderness, to release other National Forest lands in the State of 
      Montana for multiple use management, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be referred to as ``The Montana Wilderness Act of 
1995''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that:
            (1) Many areas of undeveloped National Forest System lands 
        in the State of Montana possess outstanding natural 
        characteristics which give them high values as wilderness and 
        will, if properly preserved, contribute as an enduring resource 
        of wild lands for the benefit of the American people.
            (2) The existing Department of Agriculture Land and 
        Resource Management Plans for Forest System lands in the State 
        of Montana have identified areas which, on the basis of their 
        land form, ecosystem, associated wildlife, and location will 
        help to fulfill the National Forest System's share of a quality 
        National Wilderness Preservation System.
            (3) The existing Department of Agriculture Land and 
        Resource Management Plans for National Forest System lands in 
        the State of Montana and the related congressional review of 
        such lands have also identified areas that do not possess 
        outstanding wilderness attributes or possess outstanding 
        energy, mineral, timber, grazing, dispersed recreation, or 
        other values. Such areas should not be designated as components 
        of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
            (4) Montanans and those interested in Montana's wildlands 
        have been fully involved in the formulation of this wilderness 
        proposal. That the wilderness designations recommended in this 
        legislation have been developed with the support of Montana 
        wilderness advocates and is therefore the product of years of 
        negotiations.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are to--
            (1) designate certain National Forest System lands in the 
        State of Montana as components of the National Wilderness 
        Preservation System, in furtherance of the purposes of the 
        Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), in order to preserve 
        the wilderness character of the land and to protect watersheds 
        and wildlife habitat, preserve scenic and historic resources, 
        and promote scientific research, primitive recreation, 
        solitude, and physical and mental challenge; and
            (2) ensure that certain other National Forest System lands 
        in the State of Montana will be made available for uses other 
        than wilderness in accordance with applicable national forest 
        laws, planning procedures, and the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 3. WILDERNESS DESIGNATIONS.

    (a) Designation.--In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness 
Act of 1964, the following lands in the State of Montana are designated 
as wilderness and, therefore, as components of the National Wilderness 
Preservation System:
            (1) Certain lands in the Beaverhead, Bitterroot, and 
        Deerlodge National Forests, which comprise approximately 31,600 
        acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ``Anaconda-
        Pintler Wilderness Additions--Proposed'' (North Big Hole, Storm 
        Lake, Upper East Fork), dated March 1994, and which are hereby 
        incorporated in and shall be deemed to be a part of the 
        Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness.
            (2) Certain lands in the Beaverhead National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 33,000 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Italian Peaks Wilderness--Proposed'', dated 
        March 1994, and which shall be known as the Italian Peaks Unit 
        of the Howard Zahnizer Great Divide Wilderness.
            (3) Certain lands in the Beaverhead National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 84,920 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``East Pioneer Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 
        1994, and which shall be known as the East Pioneer Wilderness.
            (4) Certain lands in the Beaverhead National Forest, 
        Montana, comprising approximately 40,000 acres, as generally 
        depicted on a map entitled ``West Big Hole Wilderness--
        Proposed'', dated March 1994, and which shall be known as the 
        West Big Hole Unit of the Howard Zahnizer Great Divide 
        Wilderness.
            (5) Certain lands in the Bitterroot, Deerlodge, and Lolo 
        National Forests, which comprise approximately 76,600 acres, as 
        generally depicted on a map entitled ``Stony Mountain 
        Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 1994, and which shall be 
        known as the Stony Mountain Wilderness. The provisions of 
        section 4 of this Act shall not apply to the portion of such 
        lands within the drainage of the Burnt Fork.
            (6) Certain lands in the Bitterroot and Lolo National 
        Forests, which comprise approximately 55,500 acres, as 
        generally depicted on maps entitled ``Selway-Bitterroot 
        Wilderness Additions--Proposed'', dated March 1994, and which 
        are hereby incorporated in and shall be deemed to be a part of 
        the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
            (7) Certain lands in the Custer National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 13,700 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Pryor Mountains Wilderness--Proposed'', dated 
        March 1994, and which shall be known as the Pryor Mountains 
        Wilderness.
            (8) Certain lands in the Custer National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 28,000 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Custer Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Additions--
        Proposed'' (Burnt Mountain, Timberline Creek, Stateline, Line 
        Creek Plateau, and Mystic Lake), dated March 1994, and which 
        are hereby incorporated in and shall be deemed to be a part of 
        the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness.
            (9) Certain lands in the Deerlodge and Helena National 
        Forests, which comprise approximately 26,800 acres, as 
        generally depicted on a map entitled ``Blackfoot Meadow-
        Electric Peak Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 1994, and 
        which shall be known as the Blackfoot Meadow Unit of the Howard 
        Zahnizer Great Divide Wilderness.
            (10) Certain lands in the Flathead and Kootenai National 
        Forests, which comprise approximately 120,400 acres, as 
        generally depicted on a map entitled ``North Fork Wilderness--
        Proposed (Tuchuck, Thompson-Seton, and Mount Hefty)'', dated 
        March 1994, and which shall be known as the North Fork 
        Wilderness.
            (11) Certain lands in the Flathead, Helena, Lolo, and Lewis 
        and Clark National Forests, which comprise approximately 
        261,440 acres, as generally depicted on maps entitled ``Arnold 
        Bolle Additions to the Bob Marshall Wilderness--Proposed'' 
        (Silver King-Falls Creek, Renshaw, Clearwater-Monture, Deep 
        Creek, Teton High Peak, Volcano Reef, Slippery Bill, Limestone 
        Cave, Choteau Mountain, and Crown Mountain, Lost Jack, Spotted 
        Bear), dated March 1994, which shall be known as the Arnold 
        Bolle-Bob Marshall Wilderness Additions and are incorporated in 
        and shall be deemed to be a part of the Bob Marshall 
        Wilderness.
            (12) Certain lands in the Flathead National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 960 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Mission Mountains Wilderness Additions--
        Proposed'', dated March 1994, and which are hereby incorporated 
        in and shall be deemed to be a part of the Mission Mountain 
        Wilderness.
            (13) Certain lands in the Flathead and Lolo National 
        Forests, comprising approximately 175,500 acres, as generally 
        depicted on maps entitled ``Jewel Basin/Swan Wilderness--
        Proposed'', dated March 1994. Those lands contiguous to the 
        west slope of the Bob Marshall Wilderness referred to in this 
        paragraph are hereby incorporated in and shall be deemed to be 
        a part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, while the remaining 
        lands shall be known as the Swan Crest Wilderness, the 
        boundaries of which are depicted on the map referenced in this 
        paragraph.
            (14) Certain lands in the Gallatin National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 14,440 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Gallatin Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness 
        Additions--Proposed'' (Dexter Point, Tie Creek and Mt. Rae), 
        dated March 1994, and which are hereby incorporated in and 
        shall be deemed to be a part of the Absaroka Beartooth 
        Wilderness.
            (15) Certain lands in the Gallatin and Beaverhead National 
        Forests, which comprise approximately 20,400 acres, as 
        generally depicted on a map entitled ``Lee Metcalf Cowboys 
        Heaven Addition--Proposed'', dated March 1994, and which are 
        hereby incorporated in and shall be deemed to be a part of the 
        Lee Metcalf Wilderness.
            (16) Certain lands in the Gallatin National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 18,300 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Earthquake Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 
        1994, and which shall be known as the Earthquake Unit of the 
        Howard Zahnizer Great Divide Wilderness.
            (17) Certain lands in the Helena National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 22,900 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Camas Creek Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 
        1994, and which shall be known as the Camas Creek Wilderness.
            (18) Certain lands in the Helena National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 15,000 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Mount Baldy Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 
        1994, and which shall be known as the Mount Baldy Wilderness.
            (19) Certain lands in the Helena National Forest, Montana, 
        which comprise approximately 10,000 acres, as generally 
        depicted on a map entitled ``Gates of the Mountains Wilderness 
        Additions--Proposed'' (Big Log), dated March 1994, and which 
        are hereby incorporated in and shall be deemed to be part of 
        the Gates of the Mountain Wilderness.
            (20) Certain lands in the Helena National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 10,700 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Black Mountain Wilderness--Proposed'', dated 
        March 1994, and which shall be known as the Black Mountain Unit 
        of the Howard Zahniser Great Divide Wilderness.
            (21) Certain lands in the Kootenai National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 39,620 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Cabinet Mountains Wilderness Additions--
        Proposed'', dated March 1994, and which are hereby incorporated 
        in and shall be deemed to be part of the Cabinet Mountains 
        Wilderness.
            (22) Certain lands in the Kaniksu and Kootenai National 
        Forest, which comprise approximately 52,000 acres, as generally 
        depicted on a map entitled ``Scotchman Peaks Wilderness--
        Proposed'', dated March 1994, which shall be known as the 
        Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.
            (23) Certain lands in the Kootenai National Forest which 
        comprise approximately 42,000 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Yaak Wilderness--Proposed'' (Roderick Mountain, 
        Grizzly Peak, Dark Mountain), dated March 1994, which shall be 
        known as the Yaak Wilderness.
            (24) Certain lands in the Kootenai and Lolo National 
        Forests, which comprise approximately 17,900 acres, as 
        generally depicted on a map entitled ``Cataract Peak 
        Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 1994, which shall be known 
        as the Cataract Peak Wilderness.
            (25) Certain lands in the Lolo National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 19,400 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Cube Iron/Mount Silcox Wilderness--Proposed'', 
        dated March 1994, which shall be known as the Cube Iron/Mount 
        Silcox Wilderness.
            (26) Certain lands in the Lolo National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 94,700 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Great Burn Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 
        1994, which shall be known as the Great Burn Wilderness.
            (27) Certain lands in the Lolo National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 60,100 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Quigg Peak Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 
        1994, which shall be known as the Quigg Peak Wilderness.
            (28) Certain lands in the Kootenai National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 24,600 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Trout Creek Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 
        1994, and which shall be known as the Trout Creek Wilderness.
            (29) Certain lands in the Helena National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 21,700 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Nevada Mountain Wilderness--Proposed'', dated 
        March 1994, and which shall be known as the Nevada Mountain 
        Unit of the Howard Zahnizer Great Divide Wilderness.
            (30) Certain lands in the Helena National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 56,100 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Elkhorn Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 
        1994, and which shall be known as the Elkhorn Wilderness.
            (31) Certain lands in the Gallatin National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 500 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``North Absaroka Wilderness Addition--Proposed 
        (Republic Mountain)'', dated March 1994, and which are hereby 
        incorporated in and shall be deemed a part of the North 
        Absaroka Wilderness.
            (32) Certain lands in the Beaverhead National Forest, which 
        comprises approximately 90,000 acres, as generally depicted on 
        a map entitled ``Snowcrest Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 
        1994 and shall be known as the Snowcrest Wilderness.
            (33) Certain lands in the Beaverhead National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 4,700 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Mount Jefferson Wilderness--Proposed'', dated 
        March 1994 and shall be known as the Mount Jefferson Unit of 
        the Howard Zahnizer Great Divide Wilderness.
            (34) Certain lands in the Deerlodge National Forest which 
        comprise about 30,300 acres, as generally, depicted on a map 
        entitled ``Flint Creek Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 1994 
        and shall be known as the Flint Creek Wilderness.
            (35) Certain lands in the Gallatin and Lewis and Clark 
        National Forests, which comprise approximately 34,800 acres, as 
        generally depicted on a map entitled ``Crazy Mountain 
        Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 1994 and shall be known as 
        the Crazy Mountain Wilderness.
            (36) Certain lands in the Beaverhead and Deerlodge National 
        Forests, which comprise approximately 19,500 acres, as 
        generally depicted on a map entitled ``Tobacco Roots 
        Wilderness--Proposed'', dated March 1994, and shall be known as 
        the Tobacco Roots Wilderness.
    (b) Maps and Descriptions.--(1) The Secretary of Agriculture 
(hereinafter referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall file the maps 
referred to in this section and legal descriptions of each wilderness 
area designated by this section with the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources of the United States Senate and the Committee on 
Resources of the United States House of Representatives, and each such 
map and legal description shall have the same force and effect as if 
included in this Act.
    (2) The Secretary may correct clerical and typographical errors in 
the maps and legal descriptions submitted pursuant to this section.
    (3) Each map and legal description referred to in this section 
shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of 
the Chief of the Forest Service, Washington, D.C. and at the office of 
the Regional Forester of the Northern Region.
    (c) Administration.--Subject to valid existing rights, each 
wilderness area designated by this section shall be administered by the 
Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the provisions of the 
Wilderness Act of 1964, except that, with respect to any area 
designated in this section, any reference to the effective date of the 
Wilderness Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of 
enactment of this Act.
    (d) Wilderness Area Perimeters.--Congress does not intend that the 
designation of wilderness areas in this section will lead to the 
creation of protective perimeters or buffer zones around such areas. 
The fact that nonwilderness activities or uses can be seen or heard 
from areas within a wilderness area shall not, of itself, preclude such 
activities or uses up to the boundary of the wilderness area.
    (e) Grazing.--The grazing of livestock, where established prior to 
the date of enactment of this Act, in wilderness areas designated in 
this section shall be administered in accordance with section 4(d)(4) 
of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and section 108 of an Act entitled ``An 
Act to designate certain National Forest System Lands in the States of 
Colorado, South Dakota, Missouri, South Carolina, and Louisiana for 
inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System, and for other 
purposes'' (94 Stat. 3271; 16 U.S.C. 1133 note).
    (f) State Fish and Game Authority.--In accordance with section 
4(d)(7) of the Wilderness Act of 1964, nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as affecting the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the 
State of Montana with respect to wildlife and fish in the national 
forests of Montana.
    (g) Hunting.--Nothing in this Act or the Wilderness Act of 1964 
shall be construed to prohibit hunting within the wilderness areas 
designated in this section.
    (h) Collection Devices.--(1) Within the wilderness areas designated 
in this section, maintenance and replacement of essential hydrological, 
meteorological, or climatological collection devices and ancillary 
facilities are permitted, subject to such conditions as the Secretary 
deems desirable.
    (2) Access to the devices and facilities described in paragraph (1) 
shall be by the least intrusive practicable means available as 
determined by the Secretary. Access, installation, and maintenance 
shall be compatible with the provisions of the Wilderness Act.
    (i) FACA.--The provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
notwithstanding, the wilderness managing agencies are hereby authorized 
to use citizen advisory groups, task forces, and ad hoc committees 
among the public involvement techniques employed to assist the agencies 
in the development of wilderness management direction.

SEC. 4. WATER.

    (a) Findings, Purposes, and Definitions.--(1) The Congress finds 
that--
            (A) the lands designated as wilderness by this Act are 
        located at the headwaters of the streams and rivers on those 
        lands, with no actual or proposed water resource facilities 
        located upstream from such lands and no opportunities for 
        diversion, storage, or other uses of water occurring outside 
        such lands that would adversely affect the wilderness values of 
        such lands;
            (B) the lands designated as wilderness by this Act are not 
        suitable for use for development of new water resource 
        facilities, or for the expansion of existing water resource 
        facilities; and
            (C) therefore, it is possible to provide for proper 
        management and protection of the water-related wilderness 
        values of such lands in ways different from those utilized in 
        other legislation designating as wilderness lands not sharing 
        the attributes of the lands designated as wilderness by this 
        Act.
    (2) The purpose of this section is to protect the water-related 
wilderness values of the lands designated as wilderness by this Act by 
means other than those based on a Federal reserved water right.
    (3) As used in this section--
            (A) the term ``water resource facility'' means irrigation 
        and pumping facilities, reservoirs, water conservation works, 
        aqueducts, canals, ditches, pipelines, wells, hydropower 
        projects, and transmission and other ancillary facilities, and 
        other water diversion, storage, and carriage structures; and
            (B) the term ``historic'', used with reference to rates of 
        flow, quantities of use, or timing or frequency of use of 
        water, means the pattern of actual average annual use or 
        operation of a facility prior to the date of enactment of this 
        Act.
    (b) Restriction on Claims and Clarification of Effect.--(1) 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no court or agency shall 
have any jurisdiction under any Act of Congress (including the 
``McCarran Amendment'', 43 U.S.C. 666) to consider any claim on behalf 
of the United States asserted by the Secretary or by any other person 
to or for water or water rights in the State of Montana based on any 
construction of any portion of this Act, or the designation of any 
lands as wilderness by this Act, as constituting an express or implied 
reservation of water or water rights.
    (2)(A) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as a disclaimer, 
relinquishment, or reduction of any water rights held or claimed by the 
United States in the State of Montana on or before the date of 
enactment of this Act.
    (B) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as constituting an 
interpretation of any other Act or any designation made by or pursuant 
thereto.
    (C) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as establishing a 
precedent with regard to any future wilderness designations.
    (c) Prohibition of New or Expanded Projects.--(1) Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, on and after the date of enactment of this 
Act neither the President nor any other officer, employee, or agent of 
the United States shall fund, assist, authorize, or issue a license or 
permit for, or exempt from licensing or permitting--
            (A) the development of any new water resource facility 
        within the lands designated as wilderness or for wilderness 
        study by this Act; or
            (B) the enlargement of a water resource facility or the 
        expansion of the historic rate of diversion, quantity of use, 
        or timing or frequency of use of a water resource facility that 
        is located within or that would adversely affect the wilderness 
        values of lands designated as wilderness or for wilderness 
        study by this Act.
    (2) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, nothing 
in this Act shall be construed to affect or limit operation, 
maintenance, repair, modification, or replacement without enlargement 
of water resource facilities in existence on the date of enactment of 
this Act located within the boundaries of the lands designated as 
wilderness or for wilderness study by this Act.
    (d) Access and Operation.--(1) Subject to the provisions of this 
subsection, the Secretary shall allow reasonable access to water 
resource facilities in existence on the date of enactment of this Act 
located within lands designated as wilderness or for wilderness study 
by this Act, including motorized access where necessary and customarily 
employed on routes existing as of the date of enactment of this Act.
    (2) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, the Secretary, to 
the extent required for the continued exercise of any valid water 
rights associated with such facilities, shall allow the present 
diversion, carriage, and storage capacity of water resource facilities 
existing on the date of enactment of this Act located within lands 
designated as wilderness or for wilderness study by this Act, and 
access routes to such facilities existing and customarily employed as 
of such date, to be operated, maintained, repaired, and replaced as 
necessary to maintain the present function, design, and serviceable 
operation of such facilities and routes, so long as such activities 
have no greater adverse impacts on wilderness values than as of the 
date of enactment of this Act.
    (3) Water resource facilities, and access routes serving such 
facilities, existing on the date of enactment of this Act shall be 
maintained and repaired when and to the extent necessary to prevent 
increased adverse impacts on wilderness values.
    (4) There shall be no enlargement in the historic rate of 
diversion, quantity of use, or timing or frequency of use of water 
resource facilities existing on the date of enactment of this Act 
located within lands designated as wilderness or for wilderness study 
by this Act.
    (e) Monitoring and Implementation.--(1) The Secretary of 
Agriculture shall monitor the operation of and access to water resource 
facilities within the boundaries of the lands designated as wilderness 
and for wilderness study by this Act, and shall take all steps that the 
Secretary finds necessary or desirable in order to further the 
protection of the resources and values of such lands and to implement 
the provisions of this section, including, to the extent consistent 
with this Act, the utilization of any procedures available under 
Federal or State law, including laws of the State of Montana concerning 
either the utilization of water or the establishment, adjudication, and 
administration of water rights.
    (2) In implementing subsection (d)(3), the Secretary may require 
the owners of water resource facilities or parties entitled to use 
access routes to perform necessary maintenance or repairs, and may 
require the relocation or removal of such facilities or such routes if 
such necessary maintenance or repairs are not performed or not feasible 
or such facilities or routes are no longer in use.
    (f) Application to Other Areas.--Solely for purposes of 
implementation of subsections (c), (d), and (e) of this section, lands 
in Montana which as of the date of enactment of this Act are managed as 
wilderness study areas pursuant to Public Law 95-150 shall be deemed to 
have been designated for wilderness study by this Act, and such lands 
shall be managed pursuant to the provisions of such subsections in 
addition to other applicable provisions of law.

SEC. 5. SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS.

    (a) Designations.--For the purposes of conserving, protecting and 
enhancing the exceptional scenic, fish and wildlife, biological, 
educational and recreational values of certain National Forest System 
lands in the State of Montana, the following designations are made:
            (1) The Mount Helena National Education and Recreation Area 
        located in the Helena National Forest, comprising approximately 
        5,220 acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ``Mount 
        Helena National Education and Recreation Area--Proposed'', 
        dated March 1994.
            (2) The Hyalite National Education and Recreation Area 
        located in the Gallatin National Forest, comprising 
        approximately 18,900 acres, as generally depicted on a map 
        entitled ``Hyalite National Education and Recreation Area--
        Proposed'', dated March 1994.
            (3) The Northwest Peak National Recreation Area located in 
        the Kaniksu and Kootenai National Forests, comprising 
        approximately 16,700 acres, as generally depicted on a map 
        entitled ``Northwest Peak National Recreation and Scenic Area--
        Proposed'', dated March 1994.
            (4) The Buckhorn Ridge National Recreation Area located in 
        the Kaniksu and Kootenai National Forests, comprising 
        approximately 22,600 acres, as generally depicted on a map 
        entitled ``Buckhorn Ridge National Recreation Area--Proposed'', 
        dated March 1994.
            (5) The West Big Hole National Recreation Area located in 
        the Beaverhead National Forest, comprising approximately 90,000 
        acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ``West Big Hole 
        National Recreation Area--Proposed'', dated March 1994, and 
        which shall be known as the West Big Hole National Recreation 
        Area.
            (6) The LeBeau Natural Area located on the Kootenai and 
        Flathead National Forests comprising approximately 5,350 acres, 
        as generally depicted on a map entitled ``LeBeau Natural Area--
        Proposed'', dated March 1994.
            (7) The Ross Creek Cedars Natural Area located on the 
        Kootenai National Forest comprising approximately 700 acres, as 
        generally depicted on a map entitled ``Ross Creek Cedars 
        Natural Area--Proposed'', dated March 1994.
            (8) The McIntire Natural Area located on the Kootenai 
        National Forest comprising approximately 75,000 acres, as 
        generally depicted on a map entitled ``McIntire Natural Area--
        Proposed'', dated March 1994.
    (b) Maps and Boundary Descriptions.--The Secretary shall file a map 
and boundary description for each area referred to in this section with 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, 
and the Committee on Resources, United States House of Representatives, 
and each such map and boundary description shall have the same force 
and effect as if included in this Act: Provided, That the Secretary may 
correct clerical and typographical errors in such maps and boundary 
descriptions. Each such map and boundary description shall be on file 
and available for public inspection in the office of the Chief of the 
Forest Service and the office of the Regional Forester of the Northern 
Region.
    (c) Management.--(1) Except as otherwise may be provided in this 
subsection, the Secretary shall administer the areas designated in 
subsection (a) so as to achieve the purposes of their designation and 
in accordance with the laws and regulations applicable to the National 
Forest System.
    (2) Subject to valid existing rights, all federally owned lands 
within the areas designated in subsection (a) are hereby withdrawn from 
all forms of entry, appropriation and disposal under the mining and 
public land laws, and disposition under the geothermal and mineral 
leasing laws.
    (3) Commercial timber harvesting is prohibited in the areas 
designated by this section with the following exceptions:
            (A) Nothing in this Act shall preclude such measures which 
        the Secretary, in his discretion, deems necessary in the event 
        of fire, or infestation of insects or disease.
            (B) Fuel wood, post and pole gathering may be permitted.
            (C) Commercial timber harvesting may be permitted in the 
        Hyalite National Recreation and Education Area, but must be 
        compatible with the purposes of its designation.
    (4) Where the Secretary determines that such use is compatible with 
the purposes for which an area is designated, the use of motorized 
equipment may be permitted in the areas subject to applicable law and 
applicable land and resource management plans.
    (5) The grazing of livestock, where established prior to the date 
of enactment of this Act may be permitted to continue subject to 
applicable law and regulations of the Secretary.
    (d) National Education and Recreation Areas and Natural Areas.--(1) 
The Secretary shall manage the Mount Helena and Hyalite National 
Education and Recreation Areas with a focus on education. All 
management activities shall be conducted in a manner that provides the 
public with an opportunity to become better informed about natural 
resource protection and management.
    (2) The Secretary shall manage the LeBeau, McIntire and Ross Creek 
Cedars Natural Areas for the enhancement of biodiversity and scientific 
study. These forests' unique natural qualities are to be the focus of 
the area's management.
    (e) Land and Resource Management Plans.--Those areas established 
pursuant to subsection (a) shall be administered as components of the 
national forests wherein they are located. Land and resource management 
plans for the affected national forests prepared in accordance with the 
Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act, as amended by 
the National Forest Management Act, shall be amended to be consistent 
with the purposes for which the areas are designated. The provisions of 
the national forest land and resource management plan, relating to each 
area designated by this section, shall also be available to the public 
in a document separate from the rest of the forest plan.

SEC. 6. WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS.

    (a) Designation.--The following areas are hereby designated as 
wilderness study areas and shall be managed in accordance with the 
provisions of this section:
            (1) Certain lands on the Gallatin National Forest, 
        comprising approximately 21,500 acres, as generally depicted on 
        a map entitled ``Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness Study Area--
        Proposed'', dated September 1992.
            (2) Certain lands in the Lolo National Forest which 
        comprise approximately 22,000 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``Sheep Mountain Wilderness Study Area--
        Proposed'', dated November 1991.
            (3) Certain lands in the Lewis and Clark and Gallatin 
        National Forests, which comprise approximately 111,700 acres, 
        as generally depicted on a map entitled ``Crazy Mountain 
        Wilderness Study Area--Proposed'', dated October 1992. The 
        Forest Service shall complete a study of public and private 
        land consolidation alternatives for this area which shall be 
        submitted to the appropriate committees of Congress 2 years 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (4) Certain lands in the Gallatin National Forest, which 
        comprise approximately 4,500 acres, as generally depicted on a 
        map entitled ``South Cottonwood Wilderness Study Area--
        Proposed,'' dated September, 1992, and shall be managed as part 
        of the Gallatin Wilderness Study Area in accordance with Public 
        Law 95-150.
            (5) Certain lands in the Lewis and Clark National Forest 
        which comprise approximately 100,000 acres, as generally 
        depicted on a map entitled ``Tenderfoot-Deep Creek Wilderness--
        Proposed'', dated March 1994.
    (b) Report.--When the forest plans are revised, the Secretary shall 
submit a report to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
United States Senate and the Committee on Resources of the United 
States House of Representatives containing recommendations as to 
whether the areas designated in subsection (a) should be added as 
components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
    (c) Management.--Subject to valid existing rights, the wilderness 
study areas designated in subsection (a) shall be managed to protect 
their suitability for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation 
System.
    (d) Maps.--The Secretary shall file a map and boundary description 
for each area referred to in this section with the Committee on 
Resources, United States House of Representatives, and the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, and each such map 
and boundary description shall have the same force and effect as if 
included in this Act: Provided, That correction of clerical and 
typographical errors in these maps may be made. Each map and boundary 
description shall be on file and available for public inspection in the 
office of the Chief of the Forest Service and the Regional Forester of 
the Northern Region.

SEC. 7. BADGER-TWO MEDICINE AREA.

    (a) Withdrawal.--(1) Subject to valid existing rights including 
rights held by the Blackfeet Nation under existing treaties and 
statute, all federally owned lands as depicted on a map entitled 
``Badger-Two Medicine Area'', dated September 1991, comprising 
approximately 116,600 acres, are withdrawn from all forms of entry, 
appropriation, and disposal under the mining and public land laws and 
from disposition under the geothermal and mineral leasing laws. Until 
otherwise directed by Congress, the Secretary shall manage this area so 
as to protect its wilderness qualities.
    (2) Nothing in this section shall preclude the gathering of timber 
by the Blackfeet Nation in exercise of and consistent with valid treaty 
rights within the Badger-Two Medicine Area.
    (3)(A) With respect to oil and gas leases on Federal lands within 
the Badger-Two Medicine Area, no surface disturbance shall be permitted 
pursuant to such leases until Congress determines otherwise.
    (B) Notwithstanding any other law, the term of any oil and gas 
lease subject to the limitations imposed by this section shall be 
extended for a period of time equal to the term that such limitation 
remains in effect.
    (b) Review.--The Secretary shall conduct a review of the area 
referred to in subsection (a) as to its availability for inclusion in 
the National Wilderness Preservation System and in accordance with the 
provisions of this subsection. Not later than 5 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report to Congress. In 
conducting this review:
            (1) The Secretary shall establish a committee composed of 2 
        representatives from the Blackfeet Nation, as well as one 
        representative from the National Park Service, one 
        representative from the Forest Service, and representatives of 
        various concerned user groups, including proportional 
        representation for environmental groups, industry groups and 
        other interested parties. The Committee shall not exceed eleven 
        members. The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council shall choose the 
        2 Tribal representatives. The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council 
        shall conduct a public meeting to receive recommendations of 
        the community regarding the selection of these members. The 
        committee shall regularly advise the Secretary during the 
        preparation of the report required in this subsection and 
        submit its findings to Congress concurrently with those of the 
        Secretary.
            (2) Special consideration shall be given to the religious, 
        wilderness and wildlife uses of the area, taking into account 
        any treaties the United States has entered into with the 
        Blackfeet Nation.
            (3) In consultation with the committee, the Secretary shall 
        establish a process to provide information to the Blackfeet 
        Nation and interested public about options for future 
        designation of the Badger-Two Medicine Area.
    (c) Rights.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
diminish, prejudice, add to, or otherwise affect the treaty rights of 
the Blackfeet Nation or the rights of the United States.
    (d) Map and Boundary Description.--(1) The Secretary shall file a 
map and boundary description of the area designated by this section 
with the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States 
Senate and Committee on Resources of the United States House of 
Representatives and such map and boundary description shall have the 
same force and effect as if included in this Act.
    (2) The Secretary may correct clerical and typographical errors in 
the map and boundary description submitted pursuant to this section.
    (3) The map and boundary description referred to in this section 
shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of 
the Chief of the Forest Service and the office of the Regional Forester 
of the Northern Region.

SEC. 8. LANDS ADMINISTERED BY BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT.

    (a) Findings.--The Congress has reviewed the suitability of a 
portion of the Axolotl Lakes Wilderness Study Area (MT-076-069, BLM 
Wilderness Study Number) as generally depicted on a map entitled 
``Released portion of Axolotl Lakes WSA'', dated September 1992, for 
wilderness designation and finds that this portion has been 
sufficiently studied for wilderness pursuant to section 603 of the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782).
    (b) Direction.--The area described in subsection (a) shall no 
longer be subject to the requirement of section 603(c) of the Federal 
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 pertaining to management in a 
manner that does not impair suitability for preservation as wilderness.
    (c) Administrative Jurisdiction.--Those lands designated as 
wilderness pursuant to section 3(a) of this Act, which, as of the date 
of enactment of this Act, are administered by the Secretary of the 
Interior as public lands (as defined in the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act of 1976), are hereby transferred to the jurisdiction of 
the Secretary of Agriculture, and shall be added to and managed as part 
of the National Forest System, and the boundaries of the adjacent 
National Forests are hereby modified to include such lands.
    (d) Land and Water Conservation Fund.--For purposes of section 7 of 
the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 4601-9), 
the boundaries of affected National Forests, as modified by this 
section, shall be considered to be the boundaries of such National 
Forests as if they were the boundaries of the National Forests as of 
January 1, 1965. Money appropriated from the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund shall be available for the acquisition of lands, 
waters, and interests therein in furtherance of the purposes of this 
Act.

SEC. 9. MONTANA ECOSYSTEM AND ECONOMICS STUDY.

    (a) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section:
            (1) The term ``ecosystem'' means a dynamic complex of 
        plant, animal and microorganism communities and their nonliving 
        environment interacting as a functional unit.
            (2) The term ``Northern Rockies'' means Federal lands and 
        resources in the State of Montana.
            (3) The term ``Panel'' means the independent scientific 
        panel for the study of the Northern Rockies ecosystem 
        established under subsection (b).
    (b) Independent Scientific Panel for the Study of the Northern 
Rockies Ecosystem.--
            (1) Establishment.--The President shall establish an 
        independent scientific panel for the study of the Northern 
        Rockies. The Panel shall conduct the study and submit the 
        reports and recommendations required by subsection (c).
            (2) Membership.--(A) The Panel established under this 
        subsection shall be composed of 11 members, appointed by the 
        President, from a list of candidates to be developed and 
        submitted to the President by the National Academy of Sciences 
        and lists from well-established professional societies with an 
        interest in the environmental sciences.
            (B) Each member of the Panel shall be a recognized expert 
        in the field for which the member is considered for appointment 
        and shall be free of economic conflict of interest with regard 
        to the subject of this section. Each member also shall have 
        research experience in the Northern Rockies region or otherwise 
        be familiar with the issues and ecology of the region. As a 
        whole, membership of the Panel shall represent an appropriately 
        broad diversity of disciplines, and members shall have 
        recognized experience in natural sciences, economics, and 
        administrative policy.
            (C) The list of candidates provided by the National Academy 
        of Sciences shall consist of at least twice as many nominees as 
        positions available in each category specified in this section.
            (D) The Panel shall work cooperatively with all relevant 
        State and Federal agencies, university research stations and 
        departments, and Indian tribes.
            (E) The Panel may establish, at its discretion, such 
        subregional review teams and working groups as it deems 
        necessary to complete its tasks in a timely and professional 
        manner.
            (3) Pay and expenses.--(A) Except as provided in 
        subparagraph (B), members of the Panel established under this 
        subsection shall each be paid at a rate not to exceed, and 
        consistent with, the rate paid to employees of the United 
        States performing similar duties and with similar 
        qualifications for each day (including travel time) during 
        which they are engaged in the actual performance of duties 
        vested in the Panel. While away from their homes or regular 
        places of business in the performance of services for the 
        Panel, members of the Panel shall be allowed travel expenses, 
        including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner 
        as persons employed intermittently in Government service are 
        allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United States 
        Code.
            (B) Other than reimbursement of expenses pursuant to 
        subparagraph (A), members of the Panel who are full-time 
        officers or employees of the United States shall receive no 
        additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their 
        service on the Panel.
            (4) Chairperson.--The Chairperson of the Panel shall be 
        appointed by the President.
            (5) Agency assistance.--Upon request of the Panel, the head 
        of any Federal agency shall provide facilities, equipment, 
        personnel, and other types of support to the Panel to assist 
        the Panel in carrying out its duties under this Act.
            (6) Termination.--The Panel shall terminate 30 days after 
        the submission of the final report under subsection (c).
    (c) Study of Ecosystems Management of the Northern Rockies.--
            (1) Study.--(A) The Panel shall define the boundaries of, 
        and map, the ecosystems of the Northern Rockies, including any 
        corridors the Panel deems necessary to connect isolated 
        ecosystems. In making the determination of ecosystem 
        boundaries, the Panel shall consider--
                    (i) restoration and maintenance of natural 
                biological diversity;
                    (ii) productivity on a long-term, sustainable basis 
                of essential natural ecological elements, functions, 
                and successional processes;
                    (iii) preservation of the integrity of genetic 
                stocks of native communities of plants and animals, 
                with an emphasis on areas of high species richness and 
                endemism;
                    (iv) restoration or maintenance or protection of 
                high water quality instream flows and watersheds (or 
                riparian areas) sufficient to protect fish and 
                wildlife;
                    (v) maintaining biological connectivity between and 
                among physiographic provinces; and
                    (vi) maintenance of long-term, sustainable outputs 
                of economically valuable natural resources.
            (B)(i) The Panel shall define the essential management 
        purpose and biological function and desired condition of the 
        ecosystems defined under subparagraph (A). In conjunction with 
        carrying out subparagraph (A), the Panel shall assess the 
        ecological status and trends, including, where appropriate, 
        levels of risks associated with applicable management 
        alternatives of water quality, riparian areas, and fisheries; 
        uncommon, rare, threatened, and endangered species; rangelands; 
        soils; and late successional old growth forest.
            (ii) The Panel shall analyze the timber quantity, quality, 
        and growth on the existing timber base as well as the success 
        of reforestation in the region to date, probable rates of 
        reforestation success in the future, and their effect on timber 
        supply and related issues.
            (C) The Panel shall gather and display in a useful form 
        biological data from each of the ecosystems defined under 
        subparagraph (A).
            (D) The Panel shall identify gaps in important research 
        areas and contract for or otherwise obtain research necessary 
        in the short term to accomplish the duties of the Panel under 
        this section.
            (E) The Panel shall analyze Federal land ownership patterns 
        and associated Federal land management mandates and practices 
        within the ecosystems identified in subparagraph (A) and 
        identify those mandates and practices which are inconsistent or 
        incompatible with ecosystem management levels of risk 
        identified under subparagraph (B).
            (F) The Panel shall identify opportunities to encourage 
        sustainable economic use of the natural resources of the 
        ecosystems identified by the Panel and the sustainable economic 
        outputs identified in subparagraph (A)(vi), in a manner 
        consistent with the goals and purposes of those ecosystems. 
        Special emphasis shall be placed on the identification of 
        opportunities for the maintenance and growth of small 
        businesses and the establishment of new small businesses 
        consistent with the goals and purposes of those ecosystems. In 
        making these recommendations, the Panel should consider 
        opportunities to improve environmental conditions that could 
        permit an expansion of the sustainable contribution of 
        commodity and noncommodity uses and outputs of natural 
        resources, including but not limited to each of the following:
                    (i) Increasing desirable natural vegetative growth 
                through reforestation with native species, thinning and 
                other timber stand modifications, prescribed burning, 
                and seeding or planting native grasses, forbs, and 
                shrubs.
                    (ii) Improving the quality of other biological 
                resources (such as species diversity and animal 
                populations) through habitat restoration, extended 
                timber rotations, alternative timber harvesting and 
                bidding systems, and different standards and methods 
                for road construction, maintenance, closure, and 
                eradication.
                    (iii) Enhancing the quality of non-biological 
                resources (such as recreation trails and developments, 
                watersheds and streams), through site restoration and 
                rehabilitation, demand management (such as user 
                regulation and enforcement, marketing to shift timing 
                and location of uses) and investment in recreational 
                use.
            (2) Recommendations.--The Panel shall submit 
        recommendations on each of the following:
                    (A) Specific, implementable steps for management of 
                the ecosystems defined under paragraph (1)(A), 
                including removal of inconsistent or incompatible 
                mandates and practices identified under paragraph 
                (1)(E).
                    (B) Ways to better monitor the resources within the 
                ecosystems.
                    (C) Ways to create or improve direct cooperation 
                between scientists both within and without the Federal 
                Government and Federal land managers.
                    (D) Methods, including incentives by which State 
                and private landowners might cooperatively manage their 
                lands in a manner compatible with Federal lands located 
                within the ecosystems.
                    (E) Other institutional or legislative changes the 
                Panel determines will promote sound ecosystem 
                management.
            (3) Reports.--(A) Not later than 6 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Panel shall submit an interim report 
        to the President and the Congress. The report shall discuss the 
        progress of the Panel in carrying out this section and shall 
        include--
                    (i) a description of any ecosystems defined and 
                mapped under paragraph (1) (A) and (B);
                    (ii) summaries of the biological data gathered to 
                date under paragraph (1)(C); and
                    (iii) the additional research obtained under 
                paragraph (1)(D).
            (B) Not later than 30 months after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, the Panel shall submit a final report to the 
        President and the Congress which contains a description of its 
        activities under this section and includes the findings, 
        analyses, and recommendations made under this section.
            (C) The reports submitted to the Congress under this 
        paragraph shall be submitted to the Committee on Resources of 
        the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and 
        Natural Resources of the Senate.

SEC. 10. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

    (a) Redesignation.--(1) Those lands comprising the Rattlesnake 
National Recreation Area and Wilderness, as designated in Public Law 
96-476 are hereby redesignated as the ``Rattlesnake National Education 
and Recreation Area and Wilderness''.
    (2) Those lands comprising 200 acres, as generally depicted on a 
map entitled ``West Pioneers Study Deletion--Proposed'', are hereby 
released from study under Public Law 95-150.
    (b) Withdrawal.--(1) Those lands comprising approximately 27,000 
acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled ``Gibson Reservoir 
Mineral Withdrawal Area--Proposed'', dated October 1992, are hereby 
withdrawn from all forms of entry, appropriation and disposal under the 
mining and public land laws, and disposition under the geothermal and 
mineral leasing laws.
    (2) The Secretary shall file a map and boundary description of the 
area designated by this subsection with the committees identified in 
this subsection and such map and boundary description shall have the 
same force and effect as if included in this Act.
    (3) The Secretary may correct clerical and typographical errors in 
the map and boundary description submitted pursuant to this subsection.
    (4) The map and boundary description referred to in this subsection 
shall be on file and available for public inspection in the office of 
the Chief of the Forest Service and the office of the Regional Forester 
of the Northern Region.
    (c) Acreages.--All acreages cited in this Act are approximate and 
in the event of discrepancies between cited acreage and the lands 
depicted on referenced maps, the maps shall control.
    (d) Access.--It is the policy of Congress that the Forest Service 
affirm or acquire and maintain reasonable public access to National 
Forest System lands in the State of Montana.
    (e) Scapegoat and Great Bear Wilderness Names.--In order to 
consolidate existing contiguous wilderness areas, those lands 
comprising the Great Bear Wilderness Area designated by Public Law 95-
946 and any amendments thereto and the Scapegoat Wilderness Area 
designated by Public Law 92-395 and any amendments thereto are hereby 
incorporated in and deemed to be a part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. 
The designations of the Great Bear Wilderness and Scapegoat Wilderness 
shall refer to units within the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act.
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