[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 856 Introduced in House (IH)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 856

To establish the Gold Butte National Conservation Area in Clark County, 
   Nevada, in order to conserve, protect, and enhance the cultural, 
     archaeological, natural, wilderness, scientific, geological, 
historical, biological, wildlife, educational, and scenic resources of 
    the area, to designate wilderness areas, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 10, 2015

  Ms. Titus introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                     Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To establish the Gold Butte National Conservation Area in Clark County, 
   Nevada, in order to conserve, protect, and enhance the cultural, 
     archaeological, natural, wilderness, scientific, geological, 
historical, biological, wildlife, educational, and scenic resources of 
    the area, to designate wilderness areas, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Gold Butte 
National Conservation Area Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
             TITLE I--GOLD BUTTE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA

Sec. 101. Establishment of Gold Butte National Conservation Area.
Sec. 102. Management of Conservation Area.
Sec. 103. General provisions.
Sec. 104. Gold Butte National Conservation Area Advisory Council.
   TITLE II--DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS IN CLARK COUNTY, NEVADA

Sec. 201. Findings.
Sec. 202. Additions to National Wilderness Preservation System.
Sec. 203. Administration.
Sec. 204. Adjacent management.
Sec. 205. Military, law enforcement, and emergency overflights.
Sec. 206. Release of wilderness study areas.
Sec. 207. Native American cultural and religious uses.
Sec. 208. Wildlife management.
Sec. 209. Wildfire, insect, and disease management.
Sec. 210. Climatological data collection.
Sec. 211. National Park System land.
                     TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 301. Relationship to Clark County Multi-Species Habitat 
                            Conservation Plan.
Sec. 302. Visitor center, research, and interpretation.
Sec. 303. Termination of withdrawal of Bureau of Land Management land.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the public land in southeastern Nevada generally known 
        as ``Gold Butte'' is recognized for outstanding--
                    (A) scenic values;
                    (B) natural resources, including critical habitat, 
                sensitive species, wildlife, desert tortoise habitat, 
                and geology;
                    (C) historic resources, including historic mining, 
                ranching and other western cultures, and pioneer 
                activities; and
                    (D) cultural resources, including evidence of 
                prehistoric habitation and rock art;
            (2) Gold Butte has become a destination for diverse 
        recreation opportunities, including camping, hiking, hunting, 
        motorized recreation, and sightseeing;
            (3) Gold Butte draws visitors from throughout the United 
        States;
            (4) Gold Butte provides important economic benefits to 
        Mesquite and other nearby communities;
            (5) inclusion of the Gold Butte National Conservation Area 
        in the National Landscape Conservation System would provide 
        increased opportunities for--
                    (A) interpretation of the diverse values of the 
                area for the visiting public; and
                    (B) education and community outreach in the region; 
                and
            (6) designation of Gold Butte as a National Conservation 
        Area will permanently protect the scenic, biological, natural, 
        historical, scientific, paleontological, recreational, 
        ecological, wilderness, and cultural resources within the area.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Advisory council.--The term ``Advisory Council'' means 
        the Gold Butte National Conservation Area Advisory Council 
        established under section 104(a).
            (2) Conservation area.--The term ``Conservation Area'' 
        means the Gold Butte National Conservation Area established by 
        section 101(a).
            (3) County.--The term ``County'' means Clark County, 
        Nevada.
            (4) Designated route.--The term ``designated route'' means 
        a road that is designated as open by the Route Designations for 
        Selected Areas of Critical Environmental Concern Located in the 
        Northeast Portion of the Las Vegas BLM District Environmental 
        Assessment, NV-052-2006-0433.
            (5) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means 
        the management plan for the Conservation Area developed under 
        section 102(b).
            (6) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled ``Gold 
        Butte National Conservation Area'' and dated May 23, 2013.
            (7) Public land.--The term ``public land'' has the meaning 
        given the term ``public lands'' in section 103 of the Federal 
        Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702).
            (8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (9) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Nevada.
            (10) Wilderness area.--The term ``wilderness area'' means a 
        wilderness areas designated by section 202(a).

             TITLE I--GOLD BUTTE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA

SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF GOLD BUTTE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established the Gold Butte National 
Conservation Area in the State.
    (b) Area Included.--The Conservation Area shall consist of 
approximately 348,515 acres of public land administered by the Bureau 
of Land Management in the County, as generally depicted on the Map.
    (c) Map and Legal Description.--
            (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and legal 
        description of the Conservation Area with the Committee on 
        Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
            (2) Effect.--The map and legal description prepared under 
        paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if 
        included in this title, except that the Secretary may correct 
        minor errors in the map or legal description.
            (3) Public availability.--A copy of the map and legal 
        description shall be on file and available for public 
        inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land 
        Management and the National Park Service.

SEC. 102. MANAGEMENT OF CONSERVATION AREA.

    (a) Purposes.--In accordance with this title, the Federal Land 
Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), and other 
applicable laws, the Secretary shall manage the Conservation Area in a 
manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the scenic, biological, 
natural, historical, scientific, paleontological, recreational, 
ecological, wilderness, and cultural resources of the Conservation 
Area.
    (b) Management Plan.--
            (1) Plan required.--Not later than 3 years after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a 
        management plan for the long-term protection and management of 
        the Conservation Area.
            (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall prepare the 
        management plan in consultation with the State, local and 
        tribal government entities, the Advisory Council, and the 
        public.
            (3) Requirements.--The management plan shall--
                    (A) describe the appropriate uses and management of 
                the Conservation Area; and
                    (B) include a recommendation on interpretive and 
                educational materials regarding the cultural and 
                biological resources of the region within which the 
                Conservation Area is located.
            (4) Incorporation of route designations.--The management 
        plan shall incorporate the decisions in the Route Designations 
        for Selected Areas of Critical Environmental Concern Located in 
        the Northeast Portion of the Las Vegas BLM District 
        Environmental Assessment, NV-052-2006-0433.
    (c) Uses.--The Secretary shall allow only such uses of the 
Conservation Area that the Secretary determines would further the 
purpose of the Conservation Area described in subsection (a).
    (d) Incorporation of Acquired Land and Interests.--Any land or 
interests in land located within the boundary of the Conservation Area 
that is acquired by the United States after the date of enactment of 
this Act shall become part of the Conservation Area and be managed as 
provided in subsection (a).
    (e) Motorized Vehicles.--
            (1) In general.--Except in cases in which motorized 
        vehicles are needed for administrative purposes or to respond 
        to an emergency, the use of motorized vehicles shall be 
        permitted only on designated routes.
            (2) Monitoring and evaluation.--The Secretary shall 
        annually--
                    (A) assess the effects of the use of motorized 
                vehicles on designated routes; and
                    (B) in consultation with the Nevada Department of 
                Wildlife, assess the effects of designated routes on 
                wildlife and wildlife habitat to minimize environmental 
                impacts and prevent damage to cultural and historical 
                resources from the use of designated routes.
            (3) Management.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall manage 
                designated routes in a manner that--
                            (i) is consistent with motorized and 
                        mechanized use of the designated routes that is 
                        authorized on the date of the enactment of this 
                        Act;
                            (ii) ensures the safety of the people that 
                        use the designated routes;
                            (iii) does not damage sensitive habitat or 
                        cultural or historical resources; and
                            (iv) provides for adaptive management of 
                        resources and restoration of damaged habitat or 
                        resources.
                    (B) Rerouting.--
                            (i) In general.--A designated route may be 
                        temporarily closed or rerouted if the 
                        Secretary, in consultation with the State, the 
                        County, and the Advisory Council, subject to 
                        subparagraph (C), determines that--
                                    (I) the designated route is having 
                                an adverse impact on--
                                            (aa) sensitive habitat;
                                            (bb) natural resources;
                                            (cc) cultural resources; or
                                            (dd) historical resources;
                                    (II) the designated route threatens 
                                public safety;
                                    (III) temporary closure of the 
                                designated route is necessary to 
                                repair--
                                            (aa) the designated route; 
                                        or
                                            (bb) resource damage; or
                                    (IV) modification of the designated 
                                route would not significantly affect 
                                access within the Conservation Area.
                            (ii) Priority.--If the Secretary determines 
                        that the rerouting of a designated route is 
                        necessary under clause (i), the Secretary may 
                        give priority to existing roads designated as 
                        closed.
                            (iii) Duration.--A designated route that is 
                        temporarily closed under clause (i) shall 
                        remain closed only until the date on which the 
                        resource or public safety issue that led to the 
                        temporary closure has been resolved.
                    (C) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide 
                information to the public regarding any designated 
                routes that are open, have been rerouted, or are 
                temporarily closed through--
                            (i) use of appropriate signage within the 
                        Conservation Area; and
                            (ii) the distribution of maps, safety 
                        education materials, law enforcement, and other 
                        information considered to be appropriate by the 
                        Secretary.
            (4) No effect on non-federal land or interests in non-
        federal land.--Nothing in this section affects ownership, 
        management, or other rights relating to non-Federal land or 
        interests in non-Federal land.
            (5) Map on file.--The Secretary shall keep a current map on 
        file at the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land 
        Management.
            (6) Road construction.--Except as necessary for 
        administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency, the 
        Secretary shall not construct any permanent or temporary road 
        within the Conservation Area after the date of enactment of 
        this Act.
    (f) National Landscape Conservation System.--The Conservation Area 
shall be administered as a component of the National Landscape 
Conservation System.
    (g) Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping.--Nothing in this title affects 
the jurisdiction of the State with respect to fish and wildlife, 
including hunting, fishing, and trapping in the Conservation Area.

SEC. 103. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

    (a) No Buffer Zones.--
            (1) In general.--The establishment of the Conservation Area 
        shall not create an express or implied protective perimeter or 
        buffer zone around the Conservation Area.
            (2) Private land.--If the use of, or conduct of an activity 
        on, private land that shares a boundary with the Conservation 
        Area is consistent with applicable law, nothing in this title 
        concerning the establishment of the Conservation Area prohibits 
        or limits the use or conduct of the activity.
    (b) Withdrawals.--Subject to valid existing rights, all public land 
within the Conservation Area, including any land or interest in land 
that is acquired by the United States within the Conservation Area 
after the date of enactment of this Act, is withdrawn from--
            (1) entry, appropriation or disposal under the public land 
        laws;
            (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
            (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, 
        and geothermal leasing laws.
    (c) Special Management Areas.--
            (1) In general.--The establishment of the Conservation Area 
        shall not affect the management status of any area within the 
        boundary of the Conservation Area that is protected under the 
        Clark County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan.
            (2) Conflict of laws.--If there is a conflict between the 
        laws applicable to an area described in paragraph (1) and this 
        title, the more restrictive provision shall control.

SEC. 104. GOLD BUTTE NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA ADVISORY COUNCIL.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish an advisory 
council, to be known as the ``Gold Butte National Conservation Area 
Advisory Council''.
    (b) Duties.--The Advisory Council shall advise the Secretary with 
respect to the preparation and implementation of the management plan.
    (c) Applicable Law.--The Advisory Council shall be subject to--
            (1) the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.); and
            (2) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 
        U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).
    (d) Members.--
            (1) In general.--The Advisory Council shall include 13 
        members to be appointed by the Secretary, of whom, to the 
        extent practicable--
                    (A) 4 members shall be appointed after considering 
                the recommendations of the Mesquite, Nevada, City 
                Council;
                    (B) 1 member shall be appointed after considering 
                the recommendations of the Bunkerville, Nevada, Town 
                Advisory Board;
                    (C) 1 member shall be appointed after considering 
                the recommendations of the Moapa Valley, Nevada, Town 
                Advisory Board;
                    (D) 1 member shall be appointed after considering 
                the recommendations of the Moapa, Nevada, Town Advisory 
                Board;
                    (E) 1 member shall be appointed after considering 
                the recommendations of the Moapa Band of Paiutes Tribal 
                Council; and
                    (F) 5 at-large members from the County shall be 
                appointed after considering the recommendations of the 
                County Commission.
            (2) Special appointment considerations.--The at-large 
        members appointed under paragraph (1)(F) shall have backgrounds 
        that reflect--
                    (A) the purposes for which the Conservation Area 
                was established; and
                    (B) the interests of persons affected by the 
                planning and management of the Conservation Area.
            (3) Representation.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
        membership of the Advisory Council is fairly balanced in terms 
        of the points of view represented and the functions to be 
        performed by the Advisory Council.
            (4) Initial appointment.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall appoint the 
        initial members of the Advisory Council in accordance with 
        paragraph (1).
    (e) Duties of the Advisory Council.--The Advisory Council shall 
advise the Secretary with respect to the preparation and implementation 
of the management plan, including budgetary matters relating to the 
Conservation Area.
    (f) Compensation.--Members of the Advisory Council shall receive no 
compensation for serving on the Advisory Council.
    (g) Chairperson.--
            (1) In general.--The Advisory Council shall elect a 
        Chairperson from among the members of the Advisory Council.
            (2) Term.--The term of the Chairperson shall be 3 years.
    (h) Term of Members.--
            (1) In general.--The term of a member of the Advisory 
        Council shall be 3 years.
            (2) Successors.--Notwithstanding the expiration of a 3-year 
        term of a member of the Advisory Council, a member may continue 
        to serve on the Advisory Council until a successor is 
        appointed.
    (i) Vacancies.--
            (1) In general.--A vacancy on the Advisory Council shall be 
        filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was 
        made.
            (2) Appointment for remainder of term.--A member appointed 
        to fill a vacancy on the Advisory Council shall serve for the 
        remainder of the term for which the predecessor was appointed.
    (j) Termination.--The Advisory Council shall terminate not later 
than 3 years after the date on which the final version of the 
management plan is published.

   TITLE II--DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS IN CLARK COUNTY, NEVADA

SEC. 201. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) public land administered by the Bureau of Land 
        Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and National Park Service in 
        the County contains unique and spectacular natural, cultural, 
        and historical resources, including--
                    (A) priceless habitat for numerous species of 
                plants and wildlife;
                    (B) thousands of acres of land that remain in a 
                natural state; and
                    (C) numerous sites containing significant cultural 
                and historical artifacts; and
            (2) continued preservation of the public land would benefit 
        the County and all of the United States by--
                    (A) ensuring the conservation of ecologically 
                diverse habitat;
                    (B) protecting prehistoric cultural resources;
                    (C) conserving primitive recreational resources; 
                and
                    (D) protecting air and water quality.

SEC. 202. ADDITIONS TO NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION SYSTEM.

    (a) Additions.--In furtherance of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
1131 et seq.), the following public land administered by the National 
Park Service or the Bureau of Land Management in the County is 
designated as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness 
Preservation System:
            (1) Virgin peak wilderness.--Certain public land managed by 
        the Bureau of Land Management, comprising approximately 18,296 
        acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known 
        as the ``Virgin Peak Wilderness''.
            (2) Black ridge wilderness.--Certain public land managed by 
        the Bureau of Land Management, comprising approximately 18,192 
        acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known 
        as the ``Black Ridge Wilderness''.
            (3) Bitter ridge north wilderness.--Certain public land 
        managed by the Bureau of Land Management comprising 
        approximately 15,114 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, 
        which shall be known as the ``Bitter Ridge North Wilderness''.
            (4) Bitter ridge south wilderness.--Certain public land 
        managed by the Bureau of Land Management, comprising 
        approximately 12,646 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, 
        which shall be known as the ``Bitter Ridge Wilderness''.
            (5) Billy goat peak wilderness.--Certain public land 
        managed by the Bureau of Land Management, comprising 
        approximately 30,460 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, 
        which shall be known as the ``Billy Goat Peak Wilderness''.
            (6) Million hills wilderness.--Certain public land managed 
        by the Bureau of Land Management, comprising approximately 
        24,818 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be 
        known as the ``Million Hills Wilderness''.
            (7) Overton wilderness.--Certain Federal land within the 
        Lake Mead National Recreation Area, comprising approximately 
        23,227 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be 
        known as the ``Overton Wilderness''.
            (8) Twin springs wilderness.--Certain Federal land within 
        the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, comprising 
        approximately 9,684 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, 
        which shall be known as the ``Twin Springs Wilderness''.
            (9) Scanlon wash wilderness.--Certain Federal land within 
        the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, comprising 
        approximately 22,826 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, 
        which shall be known as the ``Scanlon Wash Wilderness''.
            (10) Hiller mountains wilderness.--Certain Federal land 
        within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, comprising 
        approximately 14,832 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, 
        which shall be known as the ``Hiller Mountains Wilderness''.
            (11) Hell's kitchen wilderness.--Certain Federal land 
        within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, comprising 
        approximately 12,439 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, 
        which shall be known as the ``Hell's Kitchen Wilderness''.
            (12) Indian hills wilderness.--Certain Federal land within 
        the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, comprising 
        approximately 8,955 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, 
        which shall be known as the ``Indian Hills Wilderness''.
            (13) Lime canyon wilderness additions.--Certain public land 
        managed by the Bureau of Land Management, comprising 
        approximately 10,069 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, 
        which is incorporated in, and shall be managed as part of, the 
        ``Lime Canyon Wilderness'' designated by section 202(a)(9) of 
        the Clark County Conservation of Public Land and Natural 
        Resources Act of 2002 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 107-
        282).
    (b) National Landscape Conservation System.--The wilderness areas 
administered by the Bureau of Land Management shall be administered as 
components of the National Landscape Conservation System.
    (c) Road Offset.--The boundary of any portion of a wilderness area 
that is bordered by a road shall be at least 100 feet away from the 
centerline of the road so as not to interfere with public access.
    (d) Lake Offset.--The boundary of any portion of a wilderness area 
that is bordered by Lake Mead or the Colorado River shall be 300 feet 
inland from the high water line.
    (e) Map and Legal Description.--
            (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and legal 
        description of each wilderness area with the Committee on 
        Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.
            (2) Effect.--Each map and legal description under paragraph 
        (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this 
        title, except that the Secretary may correct clerical and 
        typographical errors in the map or legal description.
            (3) Availability.--Each map and legal description under 
        paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public 
        inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land 
        Management and the National Park Service.

SEC. 203. ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) Management.--Subject to valid existing rights, the wilderness 
areas shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that--
            (1) any reference in that Act to the effective date of that 
        Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of 
        enactment of this Act; and
            (2) any reference in that Act to the Secretary of 
        Agriculture shall be considered to be a reference to the 
        Secretary.
    (b) Incorporation of Acquired Land and Interests.--Any land or 
interest in land within the boundaries of a wilderness area that is 
acquired by the United States after the date of enactment of this Act 
shall be added to, and administered as part of, the wilderness area 
within which the acquired land or interest is located.
    (c) Water Rights.--
            (1) Findings.--Congress finds that--
                    (A) the land designated as a wilderness area--
                            (i) is within the Mojave Desert;
                            (ii) is arid in nature; and
                            (iii) includes ephemeral streams;
                    (B) the hydrology of the land designated as a 
                wilderness area is locally characterized by complex 
                flow patterns and alluvial fans with impermanent 
                channels;
                    (C) the subsurface hydrogeology of the region 
                within which the land designated as a wilderness area 
                is located is characterized by ground water subject to 
                local and regional flow gradients and artesian 
                aquifers;
                    (D) the land designated as a wilderness area is 
                generally not suitable for use or development of new 
                water resource facilities;
                    (E) there are no actual or proposed water resource 
                facilities and no opportunities for diversion, storage, 
                or other uses of water occurring outside the land 
                designated as a wilderness area that would adversely 
                affect the wilderness or other values of the land; and
                    (F) because of the unique nature and hydrology of 
                the desert land designated as a wilderness area and the 
                existence of the Clark County Multi-Species Habitat 
                Conservation Plan, it is possible to provide for proper 
                management and protection of the wilderness, perennial 
                springs, and other values of the land in ways different 
                than the methods used in other laws.
            (2) Statutory construction.--
                    (A) No reservation.--Nothing in this title 
                constitutes an express or implied reservation by the 
                United States of any water or water rights with respect 
                to the land designated as a wilderness area.
                    (B) State rights.--Nothing in this title affects 
                any water rights in the State existing on the date of 
                enactment of this Act, including any water rights held 
                by the United States.
                    (C) No precedent.--Nothing in this subsection 
                establishes a precedent with regard to any future 
                wilderness designations.
                    (D) No effect on compacts.--Nothing in this title 
                limits, alters, modifies, or amends any of the 
                interstate compacts or equitable apportionment decrees 
                that apportion water among and between the State and 
                other States.
                    (E) Clark county multi-species habitat conservation 
                plan.--Nothing in this title limits, alters, modifies, 
                or amends the Clark County Multi-Species Habitat 
                Conservation Plan with respect to the land designated 
                as a wilderness area, including specific management 
                actions for the conservation of perennial springs.
            (3) Nevada water law.--The Secretary shall follow the 
        procedural and substantive requirements of State law in order 
        to obtain and hold any water rights not in existence on the 
        date of enactment of this Act with respect to the land 
        designated as a wilderness area.
            (4) New projects.--
                    (A) Definition.--
                            (i) In general.--In this paragraph, 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.
                            (ii) Exclusion.--In this paragraph, the 
                        term ``water resource facility'' does not 
                        include wildlife guzzlers.
                    (B) No licenses or permits.--Except as otherwise 
                provided in this title, 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 the development of any new water resource 
                facility within the land designated as a wilderness 
                area.
    (d) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, any Federal land 
within the wilderness areas, including any land or interest in land 
that is acquired by the United States within the Conservation Area 
after the date of enactment of this Act, is withdrawn from--
            (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land 
        laws;
            (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
            (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, 
        and geothermal leasing laws.

SEC. 204. ADJACENT MANAGEMENT.

    (a) No Buffer Zones.--Congress does not intend for the designation 
of land as wilderness areas to lead to the creation of protective 
perimeters or buffer zones around the wilderness areas.
    (b) Nonwilderness Activities.--The fact that nonwilderness 
activities or uses can be seen or heard from areas within a wilderness 
area shall not preclude the conduct of those activities or uses outside 
the boundary of the wilderness area.

SEC. 205. MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND EMERGENCY OVERFLIGHTS.

    Nothing in this Act restricts or precludes--
            (1) low-level overflights of military, law enforcement, or 
        emergency medical services aircraft over the area designated as 
        wilderness by this Act, including military, law enforcement, or 
        emergency medical services overflights that can be seen or 
        heard within the wilderness area;
            (2) flight testing and evaluation; or
            (3) the designation or creation of new units of special use 
        airspace, or the establishment of military, law enforcement, or 
        emergency medical services flight training routes, over the 
        wilderness area.

SEC. 206. RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS.

    (a) Finding.--Congress finds that, for the purposes of section 603 
of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782), 
the Bureau of Land Management land in any portion of the wilderness 
study areas located within the Conservation Area not designated as a 
wilderness area has been adequately studied for wilderness designation.
    (b) Release.--Any Bureau of Land Management land described in 
subsection (a) that is not designated as a wilderness area--
            (1) is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal 
        Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c));
            (2) shall be managed in accordance with--
                    (A) the land management plans adopted under section 
                202 of that Act (43 U.S.C. 1712); and
                    (B) cooperative conservation agreements in 
                existence on the date of enactment of this Act; and
            (3) shall be subject to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
        (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

SEC. 207. NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS USES.

    Nothing in this title diminishes--
            (1) the rights of any Indian tribe; or
            (2) tribal rights regarding access to Federal land for 
        tribal activities, including spiritual, cultural, and 
        traditional food-gathering activities.

SEC. 208. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.

    (a) In General.--In accordance with section 4(d)(7) of the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(7)), nothing in this title affects or 
diminishes the jurisdiction of the State with respect to fish and 
wildlife management, including the regulation of hunting, fishing, and 
trapping, in the wilderness areas.
    (b) Management Activities.--
            (1) In general.--In furtherance of the purposes and 
        principles of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), 
        management activities to maintain or restore fish and wildlife 
        populations and the habitats to support the populations may be 
        carried out within the wilderness areas, if the activities--
                    (A) are consistent with relevant wilderness 
                management plans; and
                    (B) are carried out in accordance with appropriate 
                policies, such as those set forth in Appendix B of 
                House Report 101-405.
            (2) Use of motorized vehicles.--The management activities 
        under paragraph (1) may include the occasional and temporary 
        use of motorized vehicles, if the use, as determined by the 
        Secretary, would--
                    (A) promote healthy, viable, and more naturally 
                distributed wildlife populations that would enhance 
                wilderness values; and
                    (B) accomplish the purposes described in 
                subparagraph (A) with the minimum impact necessary to 
                reasonably accomplish the task.
    (c) Existing Activities.--Consistent with section 4(d)(1) of the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)) and in accordance with 
appropriate policies such as those set forth in Appendix B of House 
Report 101-405, the State may continue to use aircraft (including 
helicopters) to survey, capture, transplant, monitor, and provide water 
for wildlife populations, including bighorn sheep, and feral stock, 
horses, and burros.
    (d) Wildlife Water Development Projects.--Subject to subsection 
(f), the Secretary shall authorize structures and facilities, including 
existing structures and facilities, for wildlife water development 
projects, including guzzlers, in the wilderness areas if--
            (1) the structures and facilities will, as determined by 
        the Secretary, enhance wilderness values by promoting healthy, 
        viable and more naturally distributed wildlife populations; and
            (2) the visual impacts of the structures and facilities on 
        the wilderness areas can reasonably be minimized.
    (e) Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary may designate, by 
        regulation, areas in which, and establish periods during which, 
        for reasons of public safety, administration, or compliance 
        with applicable laws, no hunting, fishing, or trapping will be 
        permitted in the wilderness areas.
            (2) Consultation.--Except in emergencies, the Secretary 
        shall consult with the appropriate State agency before 
        promulgating regulations under paragraph (1).
    (f) Cooperative Agreement.--The State, including a designee of the 
State, may conduct wildlife management activities in the wilderness 
areas--
            (1) in accordance with the terms and conditions specified 
        in the cooperative agreement between the Secretary and the 
        State entitled ``Memorandum of Understanding between the Bureau 
        of Land Management and the Nevada Department of Wildlife 
        Supplement No. 9'' and signed November and December 2003, 
        including any amendments to the cooperative agreement agreed to 
        by the Secretary and the State; and
            (2) subject to all applicable laws (including regulations).

SEC. 209. WILDFIRE, INSECT, AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT.

    (a) In General.--In accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)), the Secretary may take such 
measures in each wilderness area as the Secretary determines to be 
necessary for the control of fire, insects, and diseases (including, as 
the Secretary determines to be appropriate, the coordination of the 
activities with a State or local agency).
    (b) Effect.--Nothing in this Act precludes a Federal, State, or 
local agency from conducting wildfire management operations (including 
operations using aircraft or mechanized equipment) in accordance with 
section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)).

SEC. 210. CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA COLLECTION.

    Subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require, 
nothing in this title precludes the installation and maintenance of 
hydrologic, meteorologic, or climatological collection devices in the 
wilderness areas if the facilities and access to the facilities are 
essential to flood warning, flood control, and water reservoir 
operation activities.

SEC. 211. NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM LAND.

    To the extent any of the provisions of this title are in conflict 
with laws (including regulations) or management policies applicable to 
Federal land within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area designated 
as a wilderness area, the laws (including regulations) or policies 
shall control.

                     TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 301. RELATIONSHIP TO CLARK COUNTY MULTI-SPECIES HABITAT 
              CONSERVATION PLAN.

    (a) In General.--Nothing in this Act limits, alters, modifies, or 
amends the Clark County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan with 
respect to the Conservation Area and the wilderness areas, including 
the specific management actions contained in the Clark County Multi-
Species Habitat Conservation Plan for the conservation of perennial 
springs.
    (b) Conservation Management Areas.--The Secretary shall credit the 
Conservation Area and the wilderness areas as Conservation Management 
Areas, as may be required by the Clark County Multi-Species Habitat 
Conservation Plan (including amendments to the plan).
    (c) Management Plan.--In developing the management plan, to the 
extent consistent with this section, the Secretary may incorporate any 
provision of the Clark County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

SEC. 302. VISITOR CENTER, RESEARCH, AND INTERPRETATION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the 
Bureau of Land Management, may establish, in cooperation with any other 
public or private entities that the Secretary may determine to be 
appropriate, a visitor center and field office in Mesquite, Nevada--
            (1) to serve visitors; and
            (2) to assist in fulfilling the purposes of--
                    (A) the Lake Mead National Recreation Area;
                    (B) the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument; 
                and
                    (C) the Conservation Area.
    (b) Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure that the visitor 
center authorized under subsection (a) is designed--
            (1) to interpret the scenic, biological, natural, 
        historical, scientific, paleontological, recreational, 
        ecological, wilderness, and cultural resources of each of the 
        areas described in that subsection; and
            (2) to serve as an interagency field office for each of the 
        areas described in that subsection.
    (c) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may, in a manner 
consistent with this Act, enter into cooperative agreements with the 
State, the State of Arizona, and any other appropriate institutions and 
organizations to carry out the purposes of this section.

SEC. 303. TERMINATION OF WITHDRAWAL OF BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT LAND.

    (a) Termination of Withdrawal.--The withdrawal of the parcels of 
Bureau of Land Management land described in subsection (b) for use by 
the Bureau of Reclamation is terminated.
    (b) Description of Land.--The parcels of land referred to in 
subsection (a) consist of the Bureau of Land Management land identified 
on the Map as ``Transfer from BOR to BLM''.
    (c) Map and Legal Description.--
            (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall finalize the legal 
        description of the land reverting to the Bureau of Land 
        Management under subsection (a).
            (2) Minor errors.--The Secretary may correct any minor 
        error in--
                    (A) the Map; or
                    (B) the legal description.
            (3) Availability.--The Map and legal description shall be 
        on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate 
        offices of the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of 
        Reclamation.
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