Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness Act of 2008

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. (2)

State

The term State means the State of California.

Designation of wilderness areas

In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1)

John Krebs Wilderness

(A)

Designation

Certain land in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, comprising approximately 69,500 acres of land, and 130 acres of potential wilderness additions as generally depicted on the map numbered 102/60014a, titled John Krebs Wilderness, and dated March 10, 2008. (B)

Limitations

The designation of the wilderness under subparagraph (A) does not preclude operation and maintenance of the existing Hockett Meadow Cabin and Quinn Patrol Cabin in the same manner and degree in which the cabins were operated and maintained on the day before the date of enactment of this Act. (C)

Effect

Nothing in this paragraph affects— (i)the cabins in, and adjacent to, Mineral King Valley; or (ii)the private inholdings known as Silver City and Kaweah Han. (D)

Potential Wilderness additions

The designation of the potential wilderness additions under subparagraph (A) shall not prohibit the operation, maintenance, and repair of the small check dams and water impoundments on Lower Franklin Lake, Crystal Lake, Upper Monarch Lake, and Eagle Lake. The Secretary is authorized to allow the use of helicopters for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the small check dams and water impoundments on Lower Franklin Lake, Crystal Lake, Upper Monarch Lake, and Eagle Lake. The potential wilderness additions shall be designated as wilderness and incorporated into the John Krebs Wilderness established by this Act upon termination of the non-conforming uses. (2)

Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness Addition

Certain land in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California, comprising approximately 45,186 acres as generally depicted on the map titled “Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness Addition”, numbered 102/60015a, and dated March 10, 2008, is incorporated in, and shall be considered to be a part of, the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness.

Administration of wilderness areas

(a)

In general

Subject to valid existing rights, each area designated as wilderness by this Act shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that any reference in the Wilderness Act to the effective date of the Wilderness Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act. (b)

Map and legal description

(1)

Submission of map and legal description

As soon as practicable, but not later than 3 years, after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and legal description of each area designated as wilderness by this Act with— (A)the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and (B)the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives. (2)

Force and effect

The map and legal description filed under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct any clerical or typographical error in the map or legal description. (3)

Public availability

The map and legal description filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Secretary. (c)

Hydrologic, meteorologic, and climatological devices, facilities, and associated equipment

The Secretary shall continue to manage maintenance and access to hydrologic, meteorologic, and climatological devices, facilities and associated equipment consistent with House Report 98–40. (d)

No buffer zones

(1)

In general

Nothing in this Act creates a protective perimeter or buffer zone around an area designated as wilderness by this Act. (2)

Activities outside wilderness

Nothing in this Act precludes authorized activities conducted outside of the areas designated as wilderness by this Act by cabin owners (or their designees) in the Mineral King Valley area, or the property owners (or their designees) or lessees in the Silver City private inholding (as identified on the map titled “John Krebs Wilderness” and dated March 10, 2008). (e)

Horseback riding

Nothing in this Act precludes horseback riding in, or the entry of recreational or commercial saddle or pack stock into, an area designated as wilderness by this Act.

Authorization of appropriations

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