[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 106 (Monday, June 25, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5594-H5603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CALIFORNIA OFF-ROAD RECREATION AND CONSERVATION ACT

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 857) to provide for conservation and enhanced recreation 
activities in the California Desert Conservation Area, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 857

       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 ``California 
     Off-Road Recreation and Conservation Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. California Off-Road Recreation and Conservation.
Sec. 3. Visitor center.
Sec. 4. California State school land.
Sec. 5. Designation of wild and scenic rivers.
Sec. 6. Conforming amendments.

     SEC. 2. CALIFORNIA OFF-ROAD RECREATION AND CONSERVATION.

       Public Law 103-433 (16 U.S.C. 410aaa et seq.) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

                        ``TITLE XIII--WILDERNESS

     ``SEC. 1301. DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS.

       ``(a) Designation of Wilderness Areas To Be Administered by 
     the Bureau of Land Management.--In accordance with the 
     Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and sections 601 and 
     603 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 
     U.S.C. 1781, 1782), the following land in the State is 
     designated as wilderness areas and as components of the 
     National Wilderness Preservation System:
       ``(1) Avawatz mountains wilderness.--Certain land in the 
     Conservation Area administered by the Director of the Bureau 
     of Land Management, comprising approximately 91,800 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled `Avawatz Mountains 
     Proposed Wilderness' and dated June 30, 2015, to be known as 
     the `Avawatz Mountains Wilderness'.
       ``(2) Golden valley wilderness.--Certain land in the 
     Conservation Area administered by the Director of the Bureau 
     of Land Management, comprising approximately 1,250 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled `Golden Valley 
     Proposed Wilderness Additions' and dated June 22, 2015, which 
     shall be considered to be part of the `Golden Valley 
     Wilderness'.
       ``(3) Great falls basin wilderness.--
       ``(A) In general.--Certain land in the Conservation Area 
     administered by the Director of the Bureau of Land 
     Management, comprising approximately 7,870 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled `Great Falls Basin 
     Proposed Wilderness' and dated April 29, 2015, to be known as 
     the `Great Falls Basin Wilderness'.
       ``(B) Limitations.--Designation of the wilderness under 
     subparagraph (A) shall not establish a Class I Airshed under 
     the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.).
       ``(4) Kingston range wilderness.--Certain land in the 
     Conservation Area administered by the Bureau of Land 
     Management, comprising approximately 53,320 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled `Kingston Range 
     Proposed Wilderness Additions' and dated February 18, 2015, 
     which shall be considered to be a part of as the `Kingston 
     Range Wilderness'.
       ``(5) Soda mountains wilderness.--Certain land in the 
     Conservation Area, administered by the Bureau of Land 
     Management, comprising approximately 79,990 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled `Soda Mountains 
     Proposed Wilderness' and dated February 18, 2015, to be known 
     as the `Soda Mountains Wilderness'.
       ``(b) Designation of Wilderness Areas To Be Administered by 
     the National Park Service.--In accordance with the Wilderness 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and sections 601 and 603 of the 
     Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 
     1781, 1782), the following land in the State is designated as 
     wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness 
     Preservation System:
       ``(1) Death valley national park wilderness additions-north 
     eureka valley.--Certain land in the Conservation Area 
     administered by the Director of the National Park Service, 
     comprising approximately 11,496 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled `Death Valley National Park Proposed 
     Wilderness Area-North Eureka Valley', numbered 143/100,082C, 
     and dated October 7, 2014, which shall be considered to be a 
     part of the Death Valley National Park Wilderness.
       ``(2) Death valley national park wilderness additions-
     ibex.--Certain land in the Conservation Area administered by 
     the Director of the National Park Service, comprising 
     approximately 23,650 acres, as generally depicted on the map 
     entitled `Death Valley National Park Proposed Wilderness 
     Area-Ibex', numbered 143/100,081C, and dated October 7, 2014, 
     which shall be considered to be a part of the Death Valley 
     National Park Wilderness.
       ``(3) Death valley national park wilderness additions-
     panamint valley.--Certain land in the Conservation Area 
     administered by the Director of the National Park Service, 
     comprising approximately 4,807 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled `Death Valley National Park Proposed 
     Wilderness Area-Panamint Valley', numbered 143/100,083C, and 
     dated October 7, 2014, which shall be considered to be a part 
     of the Death Valley National Park Wilderness.
       ``(4) Death valley national park wilderness additions-warm 
     springs.--Certain land in the Conservation Area administered 
     by the Director of the National Park Service, comprising 
     approximately 10,485 acres, as generally depicted on the map 
     entitled `Death Valley National Park Proposed Wilderness 
     Area-Warm Spring Canyon/Galena Canyon', numbered 143/
     100,084C, and dated October 7, 2014, which shall be 
     considered to be a part of the Death Valley National Park 
     Wilderness.
       ``(5) Death valley national park wilderness additions-axe 
     head.--Certain land in the Conservation Area administered by 
     the Director of the National Park Service, comprising 
     approximately 8,638 acres, as generally depicted on the map 
     entitled `Death Valley National Park Proposed Wilderness 
     Area-Axe Head', numbered 143/100,085C, and dated October 7, 
     2014, which shall be considered to be a part of the Death 
     Valley National Park Wilderness.
       ``(6) Death valley national park wilderness additions-
     bowling alley.--Certain land in the Conservation Area 
     administered by the Director of the Bureau of Land 
     Management, comprising approximately 28,923 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled `Death Valley National 
     Park Proposed Wilderness Area-Bowling Alley', numbered 143/
     128,606, and dated May 14, 2015, which shall be considered to 
     be a part of the Death Valley National Park Wilderness.
       ``(c) Designation of Wilderness Area To Be Administered by 
     the Forest Service.--
       ``(1) In general.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the land in the State described in 
     paragraph (2) is designated as a wilderness area and as a 
     component of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
       ``(2) Description of land.--The land referred to in 
     paragraph (1) is certain land in the San Bernardino National 
     Forest, comprising approximately 7,141 acres, as generally 
     depicted on the map entitled `San Gorgonio Proposed 
     Wilderness Expansion,' and dated November 2, 2016, which 
     shall considered to be a part of the San Gorgonio Wilderness.
       ``(3) Fire management and related activities.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may carry out such 
     activities in the wilderness area designated by paragraph (1) 
     as are necessary for the control of fire, insects, and 
     disease, in accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)) and House Report 98-40 of the 98th 
     Congress.
       ``(B) Funding priorities.--Nothing in this subsection 
     limits the provision of any funding for fire or fuel 
     management in the wilderness area designated by paragraph 
     (1).
       ``(C) Revision and development of local fire management 
     plans.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of 
     this title, the Secretary shall amend the local fire 
     management plans that apply to the wilderness area designated 
     by paragraph (1).
       ``(D) Administration.--In accordance with subparagraph (A) 
     and other applicable Federal law, to ensure a timely and 
     efficient response to fire emergencies in the wilderness area 
     designated by paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
       ``(i) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     this title, establish agency approval procedures (including 
     appropriate delegations of authority to the Forest 
     Supervisor, District Manager, or other agency officials) for 
     responding to fire emergencies in the wilderness area 
     designated by paragraph (1); and
       ``(ii) enter into agreements with appropriate State or 
     local firefighting agencies relating to that wilderness area.

     ``SEC. 1302. MANAGEMENT.

       ``(a) Adjacent Management.--

[[Page H5595]]

       ``(1) In general.--Nothing in this title creates any 
     protective perimeter or buffer zone around the wilderness 
     areas designated by section 1301.
       ``(2) Activities outside wilderness areas.--
       ``(A) In general.--The fact that an activity (including 
     military activities) or use on land outside a wilderness area 
     designated by section 1301 can be seen or heard within the 
     wilderness area shall not preclude or restrict the activity 
     or use outside the boundary of the wilderness area.
       ``(B) Effect on nonwilderness activities.--
       ``(i) In general.--In any permitting proceeding (including 
     a review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
     (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)) conducted with respect to a project 
     described in clause (ii) that is formally initiated through a 
     notice in the Federal Register before December 31, 2013, the 
     consideration of any visual, noise, or other impacts of the 
     project on a wilderness area designated by section 1301 shall 
     be conducted based on the status of the area before 
     designation as wilderness.
       ``(ii) Description of projects.--A project referred to in 
     clause (i) is a renewable energy project or associated energy 
     transport facility project--

       ``(I) for which the Bureau of Land Management has received 
     a right-of-way use application on or before the date of 
     enactment of this title; and
       ``(II) that is located outside the boundary of a wilderness 
     area designated by section 1301.

       ``(3) No additional regulation.--Nothing in this title 
     requires additional regulation of activities on land outside 
     the boundary of the wilderness areas.
       ``(4) Effect on military operations.--Nothing in this title 
     alters any authority of the Secretary of Defense to conduct 
     any military operations at desert installations, facilities, 
     and ranges of the State that are authorized under any other 
     provision of law.
       ``(5) Effect on utility facilities and rights-of-way.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), nothing in 
     this title terminates or precludes the renewal or 
     reauthorization of any valid existing right-of-way or 
     customary operation, maintenance, repair, upgrading, or 
     replacement activities in a right-of-way, issued, granted, or 
     permitted to the Southern California Edison Company or 
     predecessors, successors, or assigns of the Southern 
     California Edison Company that is located on land included in 
     the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area or the Sand to Snow National 
     Monument.
       ``(B) Limitation.--The activities described in subparagraph 
     (A) shall be conducted in accordance with the Wilderness Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) for the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area 
     and in a manner compatible with the protection of objects and 
     values for which the Sand to Snow National Monument was 
     designated.
       ``(C) Applicable law.--In accordance with the National 
     Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), 
     any approval required for an increase in the voltage of the 
     Coachella distribution circuit shall require consideration of 
     alternative alignments, including alignments adjacent to 
     State Route 62.
       ``(b) Maps; Legal Descriptions.--
       ``(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this title, the Secretary shall file a map and 
     legal description of each wilderness area and wilderness 
     addition designated by section 1301 with--
       ``(A) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       ``(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     Senate.
       ``(2) Force of law.--A map and legal description filed 
     under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as 
     if included in this title, except that the Secretary may 
     correct errors in the maps and legal descriptions.
       ``(3) Public availability.--Each map and legal description 
     filed under paragraph (1) shall be filed and made available 
     for public inspection in the appropriate office of the 
     Secretary.
       ``(c) Administration.--Subject to valid existing rights, 
     the land designated as wilderness or as a wilderness addition 
     by section 1301 shall be administered by the Secretary in 
     accordance with this Act and the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1131 et seq.), except that any reference in that Act to the 
     Secretary of Agriculture shall also be considered to be a 
     reference to the Secretary of the Interior, and any reference 
     to the effective date shall be considered to be a reference 
     to the date of enactment of this title.

     ``SEC. 1303. RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS.

       ``(a) Finding.--Congress finds that, for purposes of 
     section 603 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
     1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782), any portion of a wilderness study area 
     described in subsection (b) that is not designated as a 
     wilderness area or wilderness addition by section 1301 or any 
     other Act enacted before the date of enactment of this title 
     has been adequately studied for wilderness.
       ``(b) Description of Study Areas.--The study areas referred 
     to in subsection (a) are--
       ``(1) the Cady Mountains Wilderness Study Area;
       ``(2) the Kingston Range Wilderness Study Area;
       ``(3) the Avawatz Mountain Wilderness Study Area;
       ``(4) the Death Valley National Park Boundary and 
     Wilderness Study Area;
       ``(5) the Great Falls Basin Wilderness Study Area; and
       ``(6) the Soda Mountains Wilderness Study Area.
       ``(c) Release.--Any portion of a wilderness study area 
     described in subsection (b) that is not designated as a 
     wilderness area or wilderness addition by section 1301 is no 
     longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy 
     and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).

     ``SEC. 1304. TREATMENT OF CHERRY-STEMMED ROADS.

       ``(a) Definition of Cherry-Stemmed Road.--In this section, 
     the term `cherry-stemmed road' means a road or trail that is 
     excluded from a wilderness area or wilderness addition 
     designated by section 202 by a non-wilderness corridor having 
     designated wilderness on both sides, as generally depicted on 
     the maps described in such section.
       ``(b) Prohibition on Closure or Travel Restrictions on 
     Cherry-Stemmed Roads.--The Secretary concerned shall not--
       ``(1) close any cherry-stemmed road that is open to the 
     public as of the date of the enactment of this Act;
       ``(2) prohibit motorized access on a cherry-stemmed road 
     that is open to the public for motorized access as of the 
     date of the enactment of this Act; or
       ``(3) prohibit mechanized access on a cherry-stemmed road 
     that is open to the public for mechanized access as of the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.
       ``(c) Resource Protection or Public Safety Exceptions.--
     Subsection (b) shall not apply to a cherry-stemmed road if 
     the Secretary concerned determines that a closure or traffic 
     restriction of the cherry-stemmed road is necessary for 
     purposes of significant resource protection or public safety.

     ``SEC. 1305. DESIGNATION OF POTENTIAL WILDERNESS AREA.

       ``(a) In General.--Certain land administered by the 
     National Park Service, comprising approximately 1 acre as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled `Proposed Potential 
     Wilderness, Mormon Peak Microwave Facility, Death Valley 
     National Park' and dated March 1, 2018, is designated as a 
     potential wilderness area.
       ``(b) Uses.--The Secretary shall permit only the uses on 
     the land described in subsection (a) that were permitted on 
     the date of enactment of the California Desert Protection Act 
     of 1994 (Public Law 103-433).
       ``(c) Reestablishment of Wilderness Designation.--
       ``(1) Notice.--The Secretary shall publish a notice in the 
     Federal Register when the Secretary determines that--
       ``(A) the communications site within the potential 
     wilderness area designated under subsection (a) is no longer 
     used;
       ``(B) the associated right-of-way is relinquished or not 
     renewed; and
       ``(C) the conditions in the potential wilderness area 
     designated by subparagraph (a) are compatible with the 
     Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.).
       ``(2) Designation.--Upon publication by the Secretary of 
     the notice described in paragraph (1), the land described in 
     subsection (a) shall be--
       ``(A) designated as wilderness and as a component of the 
     National Wilderness Preservation System; and
       ``(B) incorporated into the Death Valley National Park 
     Wilderness designated by section 601 of Public Law 103-433.

              ``TITLE XIV--NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM ADDITIONS

     ``SEC. 1401. DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY REVISION.

       ``(a) In General.--The boundary of Death Valley National 
     Park is adjusted to include--
       ``(1) the approximately 28,923 acres of Bureau of Land 
     Management land in Inyo County, California, abutting the 
     southern end of the Death Valley National Park that lies 
     between Death Valley National Park to the north and Ft. Irwin 
     Military Reservation to the south and which runs 
     approximately 34 miles from west to east, as depicted on the 
     map entitled `Death Valley National Park Proposed Boundary 
     Addition-Bowling Alley', numbered 143/128,605, and dated May 
     14, 2015; and
       ``(2) the approximately 6,369 acres of Bureau of Land 
     Management land in Inyo County, California, located in the 
     northeast area of Death Valley National Park that is within, 
     and surrounded by, land under the jurisdiction of the 
     Director of the National Park Service, as depicted on the map 
     entitled `Death Valley National Park Proposed Boundary 
     Addition-Crater', numbered 143/100,079C, and dated October 7, 
     2014.
       ``(b) Availability of Map.--The maps described in 
     paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) shall be on file and 
     available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of 
     the National Park Service.
       ``(c) Administration.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     (referred to in this title as the `Secretary') shall--
       ``(1) administer any land added to Death Valley National 
     Park under subsection (a)--
       ``(A) as part of Death Valley National Park; and
       ``(B) in accordance with applicable laws (including 
     regulations); and
       ``(2) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
     of this Act, enter into a memorandum of understanding with 
     Inyo County, California, to permit operationally feasible, 
     ongoing access and use (including, but not limited to, 
     material storage as well as excavation) to gravel pits in 
     existence as of that date along Saline Valley Road within 
     Death Valley National Park for road maintenance and repairs 
     in accordance with applicable laws (including regulations).
       ``(d) Environmental Remediation.--To ensure consistency 
     with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, 
     and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), and 
     Department of the Interior policy, prior to the transfer of 
     any of the lands described in subsection (a) to the National 
     Park Service, the land shall be fully investigated for 
     contamination in accordance with applicable environmental due 
     diligence standards of the disposing agency and, within three 
     years from the date of enactment of this subsection, the 
     disposing

[[Page H5596]]

     agency shall undertake any environmental remediation or clean 
     up activities and pay for such activities relating to 
     facilities, land or interest in land identified for transfer.

     ``SEC. 1402. MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE.

       ``The boundary of the Mojave National Preserve is adjusted 
     to include the 25 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in 
     Baker, California, as depicted on the map entitled `Mojave 
     National Preserve Proposed Boundary Addition', numbered 170/
     100,199, and dated August 2009.

     ``SEC. 1403. JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK BOUNDARY REVISION.

       ``(a) In General.--The boundary of the Joshua Tree National 
     Park is adjusted to include--
       ``(1) the 2,879 acres of land managed by Director of the 
     Bureau of Land Management that are contiguous at several 
     different places to the northern boundaries of Joshua Tree 
     National Park in the northwest section of the Park, as 
     depicted on the map entitled `Joshua Tree National Park 
     Proposed Boundary Additions', numbered 156/100,077, and dated 
     August 2009; and
       ``(2) the 1,639 acres of land to be acquired from the 
     Mojave Desert Land Trust that are contiguous at several 
     different places to the northern boundaries of Joshua Tree 
     National Park in the northwest section of the Park, as 
     depicted on the map entitled `Mojave Desert Land Trust 
     National Park Service Additions', numbered 156/126,376, and 
     dated September 2014.
       ``(b) Availability of Maps.--The map described in 
     subsection (a) and the map depicting the 25 acres described 
     in subsection (c)(2) shall be on file and available for 
     public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National 
     Park Service.
       ``(c) Administration.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall administer any land 
     added to the Joshua Tree National Park under subsection (a) 
     and the additional land described in paragraph (2)--
       ``(A) as part of Joshua Tree National Park; and
       ``(B) in accordance with applicable laws (including 
     regulations).
       ``(2) Description of additional land.--The additional land 
     referred to in paragraph (1) is the 25 acres of land--
       ``(A) depicted on the map entitled `Joshua Tree National 
     Park Boundary Adjustment Map', numbered 156/80,049, and dated 
     April 1, 2003;
       ``(B) added to Joshua Tree National Park by the notice of 
     the Department of the Interior of August 28, 2003 (68 Fed. 
     Reg. 51799); and
       ``(C) more particularly described as lots 26, 27, 28, 33, 
     and 34 in sec. 34, T. 1 N., R. 8 E., San Bernardino Meridian.
       ``(d) Southern California Edison Company Energy Transport 
     Facilities and Rights-of-Way.--
       ``(1) In general.--Nothing in this title terminates any 
     valid right-of-way for the customary operation, maintenance, 
     upgrade, repair, relocation within an existing right-of-way, 
     replacement, or other authorized energy transport facility 
     activities in a right-of-way issued, granted, or permitted to 
     the Southern California Edison Company or the predecessors, 
     successors, or assigns of the Southern California Edison 
     Company that is located on land described in paragraphs (1) 
     and (2) of subsection (a), including, at a minimum, the use 
     of mechanized vehicles, helicopters, or other aerial devices.
       ``(2) Upgrades and replacements.--Nothing in this title 
     prohibits the upgrading or replacement of--
       ``(A) Southern California Edison Company energy transport 
     facilities, including the energy transport facilities 
     referred to as the Jellystone, Burnt Mountain, Whitehorn, 
     Allegra, and Utah distribution circuits rights-of-way; or
       ``(B) an energy transport facility in rights-of-way issued, 
     granted, or permitted by the Secretary adjacent to Southern 
     California Edison Joshua Tree Utility Facilities.
       ``(3) Publication of plans.--Not later than the date that 
     is 1 year after the date of enactment of this title or the 
     issuance of a new energy transport facility right-of-way 
     within the Joshua Tree National Park, whichever is earlier, 
     the Secretary, in consultation with the Southern California 
     Edison Company, shall publish plans for regular and emergency 
     access by the Southern California Edison Company to the 
     rights-of-way of the Southern California Edison Company 
     within Joshua Tree National Park.

            ``TITLE XV--OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RECREATION AREAS

     ``SEC. 1501. DESIGNATION OF OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RECREATION 
                   AREAS.

       ``(a) Designation.--In accordance with the Federal Land 
     Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) 
     and resource management plans developed under this title and 
     subject to valid rights, the following land within the 
     Conservation Area in San Bernardino County, California, is 
     designated as Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas:
       ``(1) Dumont dunes off-highway vehicle recreation area.--
     Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation 
     Area, comprising approximately 7,630 acres, as generally 
     depicted on the map entitled `Dumont Dunes OHV Recreation 
     Area' and dated February 22, 2018, which shall be known as 
     the `Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area'.
       ``(2) El mirage off-highway vehicle recreation area.--
     Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation 
     Area, comprising approximately 14,930 acres, as generally 
     depicted on the map entitled `El Mirage Proposed OHV 
     Recreation Area' and dated February 22, 2018, which shall be 
     known as the `El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area'.
       ``(3) Rasor off-highway vehicle recreation area.--Certain 
     Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation Area, 
     comprising approximately 23,910 acres, as generally depicted 
     on the map entitled `Rasor Proposed OHV Recreation Area' and 
     dated March 9, 2018, which shall be known as the `Rasor Off-
     Highway Vehicle Recreation Area'.
       ``(4) Spangler hills off-highway vehicle recreation area.--
     Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the Conservation 
     Area, comprising approximately 56,140 acres, as generally 
     depicted on the map entitled `Spangler Hills Proposed OHV 
     Recreation Area' and dated March 9, 2018, which shall be 
     known as the `Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation 
     Area'.
       ``(5) Stoddard valley off-highway vehicle recreation 
     area.--Certain Bureau of Land Management land in the 
     Conservation Area, comprising approximately 40,110 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled `Stoddard Valley 
     Proposed OHV Recreation Area' and dated March 9, 2018, which 
     shall be known as the `Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle 
     Recreation Area'.
       ``(b) Expansion of Johnson Valley Off-highway Vehicle 
     Recreation Area.--The Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle 
     Recreation Area designated by section 2945 of the Military 
     Construction Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (division 
     B of Public Law 113-66; 127 Stat. 1038) is expanded to 
     include all of the land, approximately 11,300 acres, depicted 
     as the `Proposed Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle 
     Recreation Area Additions' on the map entitled `Johnson 
     Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area' and dated March 
     15, 2018.
       ``(c) Purpose.--The purpose of the off-highway vehicle 
     recreation areas designated or expanded under subsections (a) 
     and (b) is to preserve and enhance the recreational 
     opportunities within the Conservation Area (including 
     opportunities for off-highway vehicle recreation), while 
     conserving the wildlife and other natural resource values of 
     the Conservation Area.
       ``(d) Maps and Descriptions.--
       ``(1) Preparation and submission.--As soon as practicable 
     after the date of enactment of this title, the Secretary 
     shall file a map and legal description of each off-highway 
     vehicle recreation area designated or expanded by subsections 
     (a) or (b) with--
       ``(A) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       ``(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     Senate.
       ``(2) Legal effect.--The map and legal descriptions of the 
     off-highway vehicle recreation areas filed under paragraph 
     (1) shall have the same force and effect as if included in 
     this title, except that the Secretary may correct errors in 
     the map and legal descriptions.
       ``(3) Public availability.--Each map and legal description 
     filed under paragraph (1) shall be filed and made available 
     for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the 
     Bureau of Land Management.
       ``(e) Use of the Land.--
       ``(1) Recreational activities.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall continue to 
     authorize, maintain, and enhance the recreational uses of the 
     off-highway vehicle recreation areas designated or expanded 
     by subsections (a) and (b), including, but not limited to 
     off-highway recreation, hiking, camping, hunting, mountain 
     biking, sightseeing, rockhounding, and horseback riding, as 
     long as the recreational use is consistent with this section, 
     the protection of public health and safety, and any other 
     applicable law.
       ``(B) Off-highway vehicle and off-highway recreation.--To 
     the extent consistent with applicable Federal law (including 
     regulations) and this section, any authorized recreation 
     activities and use designations in effect on the date of 
     enactment of this title and applicable to the off-highway 
     vehicle recreation areas designated or expanded by 
     subsections (a) and (b) shall continue, including casual off-
     highway vehicular use, racing, competitive events, rock 
     crawling, training, and other forms of off-highway 
     recreation.
       ``(2) Wildlife guzzlers.--Wildlife guzzlers shall be 
     allowed in the off-highway vehicle recreation areas 
     designated by subsection (a) in accordance with--
       ``(A) applicable Bureau of Land Management guidelines; and
       ``(B) State law.
       ``(3) Prohibited uses.--
       ``(A) In general.--Permanent commercial development 
     (including development of energy facilities, but excluding 
     energy transport facilities, rights-of-way, and related 
     telecommunication facilities) shall be prohibited in the off-
     highway vehicle recreation areas designated or expanded by 
     subsections (a) and (b) if the Secretary determines that the 
     development is incompatible with the purpose of this title.
       ``(B) Exception for temporary permitted vendors.--
     Subparagraph (A) does not prohibit a commercial vendor from 
     establishing, pursuant to a temporary permit, a site in the 
     off-highway vehicle recreation areas for the purpose of 
     providing accessories and other support for off-highway 
     vehicles and vehicles used for accessing the area.
       ``(f) Administration.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall administer the off-
     highway vehicle recreation areas designated or expanded by 
     subsections (a) and (b) in accordance with--
       ``(A) this title;
       ``(B) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 
     (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and
       ``(C) any other applicable laws (including regulations).
       ``(2) Management plan.--
       ``(A) In general.--As soon as practicable, but not later 
     than 3 years after the date of enactment of this title, the 
     Secretary will evaluate and determine if current land use 
     plans meet the intent of this Act. If not, the Secretary 
     shall--

[[Page H5597]]

       ``(i) amend existing resource management plans applicable 
     to the land designated as off-highway vehicle recreation 
     areas under subsection (a); or
       ``(ii) develop new activity plans for each off-highway 
     vehicle recreation area designated under that subsection.
       ``(B) Requirements.--All new or amended plans under 
     subparagraph (A) shall be designed to preserve and enhance 
     safe off-highway vehicle and other recreational opportunities 
     within the applicable recreation area consistent with--
       ``(i) the purpose described in subsection (c); and
       ``(ii) any applicable laws (including regulations).
       ``(C) Interim plans.--Pending completion of a new activity 
     plan under subparagraph (A), the existing resource management 
     plans shall govern the use of the applicable off-highway 
     vehicle recreation area.
       ``(g) Study.--
       ``(1) In general.--As soon as practicable, but not later 
     than 2 years after the date of enactment of this title, the 
     Secretary shall complete a study to identify Bureau of Land 
     Management land within the Conservation Area that is suitable 
     for addition to--
       ``(A) the off-highway vehicle recreation areas designated 
     by subsection (a) and (b); or
       ``(B) the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation 
     Area designated by section 2945 of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113-66; 
     127 Stat. 1038).
       ``(2) Study areas.--The study required under paragraph (1) 
     shall include--
       ``(A) certain Bureau of Land Management land in the 
     Conservation Area, comprising approximately 41,000 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled `Spangler Hills 
     Proposed OHV Recreation Area' and dated March 9, 2018;
       ``(B) certain Bureau of Land Management land in the 
     Conservation Area, comprising approximately 680 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled `El Mirage Proposed 
     OHV Recreation Area' and dated February 22, 2018; and
       ``(C) certain Bureau of Land Management land in the 
     Conservation Area, comprising approximately 10,300 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled `Johnson Valley Off-
     Highway Vehicle Recreation Area' and dated March 15, 2018.
       ``(3) Requirements.--In preparing the study under paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) seek input from stakeholders, including--
       ``(i) the State, including--

       ``(I) the California Public Utilities Commission; and
       ``(II) the California Energy Commission;

       ``(ii) San Bernardino County, California;
       ``(iii) the public;
       ``(iv) recreational user groups;
       ``(v) conservation organizations;
       ``(vi) the Southern California Edison Company;
       ``(vii) the Pacific Gas and Electric Company; and
       ``(viii) other Federal agencies, including the Department 
     of Defense;
       ``(B) explore the feasibility of--
       ``(i) expanding the southern boundary of the off-highway 
     vehicle recreation area described in subsection (a)(3) to 
     include previously disturbed land; and
       ``(ii) establishing a right of way for OHV use in the area 
     identified in (g)(2), to the extent necessary to connect the 
     non-contiguous areas of the Johnson Valley Off-Highway 
     Vehicle Recreation Area;
       ``(C) identify and exclude from consideration any land 
     that--
       ``(i) is managed for conservation purposes;
       ``(ii) is identified as critical habitat for a listed 
     species;
       ``(iii) may be suitable for renewable energy development; 
     or
       ``(iv) may be necessary for energy transmission; and
       ``(D) not recommend or approve expansion of off-highway 
     vehicle recreation areas within the Conservation Area that 
     collectively would exceed the total acres administratively 
     designated for off-highway recreation within the Conservation 
     Area as of the day before the date of enactment of the 
     National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 
     (Public Law 113-66; 127 Stat. 672).
       ``(4) Applicable law.--The Secretary shall consider the 
     information and recommendations of the study completed under 
     paragraph (1) to determine the impacts of expanding off-
     highway vehicle recreation areas designated by subsection (a) 
     on the Conservation Area, in accordance with--
       ``(A) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
     U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
       ``(B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
     seq.);
       ``(C) applicable regulations and plans, including the 
     Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Land Use Plan 
     Amendment; and
       ``(D) any other applicable law.
       ``(5) Submission to congress.--On completion of the study 
     under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit the study 
     to--
       ``(A) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       ``(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     Senate.
       ``(6) Authorization for expansion.--
       ``(A) In general.--On completion of the study under 
     paragraph (1) and in accordance with all applicable laws 
     (including regulations), the Secretary shall authorize the 
     expansion of the off-highway vehicle recreation areas 
     recommended under the study.
       ``(B) Management.--Any land within the expanded areas under 
     subparagraph (A) shall be managed in accordance with this 
     section.
       ``(h) Southern California Edison Company Utility Facilities 
     and Rights-of-way.--
       ``(1) Effect of title.--Nothing in this title--
       ``(A) terminates any validly issued right-of-way for the 
     customary operation, maintenance, upgrade, repair, relocation 
     within an existing right-of-way, replacement, or other 
     authorized energy transport facility activities (including 
     the use of any mechanized vehicle, helicopter, and other 
     aerial device) in a right-of-way issued, granted, or 
     permitted to Southern California Edison Company (including 
     any predecessor or successor in interest or assign) that is 
     located on land included in--
       ``(i) the El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area;
       ``(ii) the Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation 
     Area; or
       ``(iii) the Stoddard Valley Off Highway Vehicle Recreation 
     Area;
       ``(B) affects the application, siting, route selection, 
     right-of-way acquisition, or construction of the Coolwater-
     Lugo transmission project, as may be approved by the 
     California Public Utilities Commission and the Bureau of Land 
     Management; or
       ``(C) prohibits the upgrading or replacement of any 
     Southern California Edison Company--
       ``(i) utility facility, including such a utility facility 
     known on the date of enactment of this title as--

       ``(I) `Gale-PS 512 transmission lines or rights-of-way'; 
     and
       ``(II) `Patio, Jack Ranch, and Kenworth distribution 
     circuits or rights-of-way'; and

       ``(ii) energy transport facility in a right-of-way issued, 
     granted, or permitted by the Secretary adjacent to a utility 
     facility referred to in clause (i).
       ``(2) Plans for access.--The Secretary, in consultation 
     with the Southern California Edison Company, shall publish 
     plans for regular and emergency access by the Southern 
     California Edison Company to the rights-of-way of the Company 
     by the date that is 1 year after the later of--
       ``(A) the date of enactment of this title; and
       ``(B) the date of issuance of a new energy transport 
     facility right-of-way within--
       ``(i) the El Mirage Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area;
       ``(ii) the Spangler Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation 
     Area; or
       ``(iii) the Stoddard Valley Off Highway Vehicle Recreation 
     Area.
       ``(i) Pacific Gas and Electric Company Utility Facilities 
     and Rights-of-way.--
       ``(1) Effect of title.--Nothing in this title--
       ``(A) terminates any validly issued right-of-way for the 
     customary operation, maintenance, upgrade, repair, relocation 
     within an existing right-of-way, replacement, or other 
     authorized activity (including the use of any mechanized 
     vehicle, helicopter, and other aerial device) in a right-of-
     way issued, granted, or permitted to Pacific Gas and Electric 
     Company (including any predecessor or successor in interest 
     or assign) that is located on land included in the Spangler 
     Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area; or
       ``(B) prohibits the upgrading or replacement of any--
       ``(i) utility facilities of the Pacific Gas and Electric 
     Company, including those utility facilities known on the date 
     of enactment of this title as--

       ``(I) Gas Transmission Line 311 or rights-of-way; and
       ``(II) Gas Transmission Line 372 or rights-of-way; and

       ``(ii) utility facilities of the Pacific Gas and Electric 
     Company in rights-of-way issued, granted, or permitted by the 
     Secretary adjacent to a utility facility referred to in 
     clause (i).
       ``(2) Plans for access.--Not later than 1 year after the 
     date of enactment of this title or the issuance of a new 
     utility facility right-of-way within the Spangler Hills Off-
     Highway Vehicle Recreation Area, whichever is later, the 
     Secretary, in consultation with the Pacific Gas and Electric 
     Company, shall publish plans for regular and emergency access 
     by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company to the rights-of-way 
     of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

            ``TITLE XVI--ALABAMA HILLS NATIONAL SCENIC AREA

     ``SEC. 1601. DEFINITIONS.

       ``In this title:
       ``(1) Management plan.--The term `management plan' means 
     the management plan for the National Scenic Area developed 
     under section 1603(a).
       ``(2) Map.--The term `Map' means the map titled `Proposed 
     Alabama Hills National Scenic Area', dated September 8, 2014.
       ``(3) Motorized vehicles.--The term `motorized vehicles' 
     means motorized or mechanized vehicles and includes, when 
     used by utilities, mechanized equipment, helicopters, and 
     other aerial devices necessary to maintain electrical or 
     communications infrastructure.
       ``(4) National scenic area.--The term `National Scenic 
     Area' means the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area 
     established by section 1602(a).
       ``(5) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       ``(6) State.--The term `State' means the State of 
     California.
       ``(7) Tribe.--The term `Tribe' means the Lone Pine Paiute-
     Shoshone.
       ``(8) Utility facility.--The term `utility facility' means 
     any and all existing and future water system facilities 
     including aqueducts, streams, ditches, and canals; water 
     facilities including, but not limited to, flow measuring 
     stations, gauges, gates, valves, piping, conduits, fencing, 
     and electrical power and communications devices and systems; 
     and any and all existing and future electric generation 
     facilities, electric storage facilities, overhead and/or 
     underground electrical supply systems and communication 
     systems consisting of electric substations, electric lines, 
     poles and towers made of

[[Page H5598]]

     various materials, `H' frame structures, guy wires and 
     anchors, crossarms, wires, underground conduits, cables, 
     vaults, manholes, handholes, above-ground enclosures, markers 
     and concrete pads and other fixtures, appliances and 
     communication circuits, and other fixtures, appliances and 
     appurtenances connected therewith necessary or convenient for 
     the construction, operation, regulation, control, grounding 
     and maintenance of electric generation, storage, lines and 
     communication circuits, for the purpose of transmitting 
     intelligence and generating, storing, distributing, 
     regulating and controlling electric energy to be used for 
     light, heat, power, communication, and other purposes.

     ``SEC. 1602. ALABAMA HILLS NATIONAL SCENIC AREA, CALIFORNIA.

       ``(a) Establishment.--Subject to valid, existing rights, 
     there is established in Inyo County, California, the Alabama 
     Hills National Scenic Area. The National Scenic Area shall be 
     comprised of the approximately 18,610 acres generally 
     depicted on the Map as `National Scenic Area'.
       ``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the National Scenic Area is 
     to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit, use, and 
     enjoyment of present and future generations the nationally 
     significant scenic, cultural, geological, educational, 
     biological, historical, recreational, cinematographic, and 
     scientific resources of the National Scenic Area managed 
     consistent with section 302(a) of the Federal Land Policy and 
     Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1732(a)).
       ``(c) Map; Legal Description.--
       ``(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and a 
     legal description of the National Scenic Area 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 of law.--The map and legal descriptions 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 and typographical errors in the map and 
     legal descriptions.
       ``(3) Public availability.--Each map and legal description 
     filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for 
     public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest 
     Service and Bureau of Land Management.
       ``(d) Administration.--The Secretary shall manage the 
     National Scenic Area--
       ``(1) as a component of the National Landscape Conservation 
     System;
       ``(2) so as not to impact the future continuing operations 
     and maintenance of any activities associated with valid, 
     existing rights, including water rights;
       ``(3) in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances 
     the resources and values of the National Scenic Area 
     described in subsection (b); and
       ``(4) in accordance with--
       ``(A) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 
     (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);
       ``(B) this Act; and
       ``(C) any other applicable laws.
       ``(e) Management.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall allow only such uses 
     of the National Scenic Area as the Secretary determines would 
     support the purposes of the National Scenic Area as described 
     in subsection (b).
       ``(2) Recreational activities.--Except as otherwise 
     provided in this Act or other applicable law, or as the 
     Secretary determines to be necessary for public health and 
     safety, the Secretary shall allow existing recreational uses 
     of the National Scenic Area to continue, including, but not 
     limited to, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, 
     sightseeing, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and 
     appropriate authorized motorized vehicle use.
       ``(3) Motorized vehicles.--Except as specified within this 
     Act and/or in cases in which motorized vehicles are needed 
     for administrative purposes, or to respond to an emergency, 
     the use of motorized vehicles in the National Scenic Area 
     shall be permitted only on--
       ``(A) roads and trails designated by the Director of the 
     Bureau of Land Management for use of motorized vehicles as 
     part of a management plan sustaining a semi-primitive 
     motorized experience; or
       ``(B) on county-maintained roads in accordance with 
     applicable State and county laws.
       ``(f) No Buffer Zones.--
       ``(1) In general.--Nothing in this Act creates a protective 
     perimeter or buffer zone around the National Scenic Area.
       ``(2) Activities outside national scenic area.--The fact 
     that an activity or use on land outside the National Scenic 
     Area can be seen or heard within the National Scenic Area 
     shall not preclude the activity or use outside the boundaries 
     of the National Scenic Area.
       ``(g) Access.--The Secretary shall continue to provide 
     private landowners adequate access to inholdings in the 
     National Scenic Area.
       ``(h) Filming.--Nothing in this Act prohibits filming 
     (including commercial film production, student filming, and 
     still photography) within the National Scenic Area--
       ``(1) subject to--
       ``(A) such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices 
     as the Secretary considers to be necessary; and
       ``(B) applicable law; and
       ``(2) in a manner consistent with the purposes described in 
     subsection (b).
       ``(i) Fish and Wildlife.--Nothing in this Act affects the 
     jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State with respect to 
     fish and wildlife.
       ``(j) Livestock.--The grazing of livestock in the National 
     Scenic Area, including grazing under the Alabama Hills 
     allotment and the George Creek allotment, as established 
     before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be permitted 
     to continue--
       ``(1) subject to--
       ``(A) such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices 
     as the Secretary considers to be necessary; and
       ``(B) applicable law; and
       ``(2) in a manner consistent with the purposes described in 
     subsection (b).
       ``(k) Overflights.--Nothing in this Act restricts or 
     precludes flights over the National Scenic Area or 
     overflights that can be seen or heard within the National 
     Scenic Area, including--
       ``(1) transportation, sightseeing and filming flights, 
     general aviation planes, helicopters, hang-gliders, and 
     balloonists, for commercial or recreational purposes;
       ``(2) low-level overflights of military aircraft;
       ``(3) flight testing and evaluation;
       ``(4) the designation or creation of new units of special 
     use airspace, or the establishment of military flight 
     training routes, over the National Scenic Area; or
       ``(5) the use, including take-off and landing, of 
     helicopters and other aerial devices within valid rights-of-
     way to construct or maintain energy transport facilities.
       ``(l) Withdrawal.--Subject to this Act's provisions and 
     valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this 
     Act, including rights established by prior withdrawals, the 
     Federal land within the National Scenic Area is withdrawn 
     from all forms of--
       ``(1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public 
     land laws;
       ``(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; 
     and
       ``(3) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and 
     geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
       ``(m) Wildland Fire Operations.--Nothing in this Act 
     prohibits the Secretary, in cooperation with other Federal, 
     State, and local agencies, as appropriate, from conducting 
     wildland fire operations in the National Scenic Area, 
     consistent with the purposes described in subsection (b).
       ``(n) Grants; Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary may 
     make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, 
     State, tribal, and local governmental entities and private 
     entities to conduct research, interpretation, or public 
     education or to carry out any other initiative relating to 
     the restoration, conservation, or management of the National 
     Scenic Area.
       ``(o) Air and Water Quality.--Nothing in this Act modifies 
     any standard governing air or water quality outside of the 
     boundaries of the National Scenic Area.
       ``(p) Utility Facilities and Rights of Way.--
       ``(1) Nothing in this Act shall--
       ``(A) affect the existence, use, operation, maintenance 
     (including but not limited to vegetation control), repair, 
     construction, reconfiguration, expansion, inspection, 
     renewal, reconstruction, alteration, addition, relocation, 
     improvement, funding, removal, or replacement of utility 
     facilities or appurtenant rights of way within or adjacent to 
     the National Scenic Area;
       ``(B) affect necessary or efficient access to utility 
     facilities or rights of way within or adjacent to the 
     National Scenic Area subject to subsection (e); or
       ``(C) preclude the Secretary from authorizing the 
     establishment of new utility facility rights of way 
     (including instream sites, routes, and areas) within the 
     National Scenic Area in a manner that minimizes harm to the 
     purpose of the National Scenic Area as described in 
     subsection (b)--
       ``(i) with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
     (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and any other applicable law;
       ``(ii) subject to such terms and conditions as the 
     Secretary determines to be appropriate; and
       ``(iii) are determined, by the Secretary, to be the only 
     technical or feasible location, following consideration of 
     alternatives within existing rights of way or outside of the 
     National Scenic Area.
       ``(2) Management plan.--Consistent with this Act, the 
     Management Plan shall establish plans for maintenance of 
     public utility and other rights of way within the National 
     Scenic Area.

     ``SEC. 1603. MANAGEMENT PLAN.

       ``(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, in accordance with subsection (b), the 
     Secretary shall develop a comprehensive plan for the long-
     term management of the National Scenic Area.
       ``(b) Consultation.--In developing the management plan, the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(1) consult with appropriate State, tribal, and local 
     governmental entities, including Inyo County and the Tribe; 
     and
       ``(2) seek input from--
       ``(A) investor-owned utilities, including Southern 
     California Edison Company;
       ``(B) the Alabama Hills Stewardship Group;
       ``(C) members of the public; and
       ``(D) the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
       ``(c) Requirement.--In accordance with this title, the 
     management plan shall include provisions for maintenance of 
     existing public utility and other rights-of-way within the 
     National Scenic Area.
       ``(d) Incorporation of Management Plan.--In developing the 
     management plan, in accordance with this section, the 
     Secretary shall allow, in perpetuity, casual-use mining 
     limited to the use of hand tools, metal detectors, hand-fed 
     dry washers, vacuum cleaners, gold pans, small sluices, and 
     similar items.
       ``(e) Interim Management.--Pending completion of the 
     management plan, the Secretary shall manage the National 
     Scenic Area in accordance with section 1602.

[[Page H5599]]

  


     ``SEC. 1604. LAND TAKEN INTO TRUST FOR LONE PINE PAIUTE-
                   SHOSHONE RESERVATION.

       ``(a) Trust Land.--All right, title, and interest of the 
     United States in and to the approximately 132 acres of 
     Federal land depicted on the Map as `Lone Pine Paiute-
     Shoshone Reservation Addition' shall be held in trust by the 
     United States for the benefit of the Tribe, subject to the 
     following:
       ``(1) Conditions.--The land shall be subject to all 
     easements, covenants, conditions, restrictions, withdrawals, 
     and other matters of record on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       ``(2) Exclusion.--The Federal lands over which the right-
     of-way for the Los Angeles Aqueduct is located, generally 
     described as the 250-foot-wide right-of-way granted to the 
     City of Los Angeles pursuant to the Act of June 30, 1906 
     (Chap. 3926), shall not be taken into trust for the Tribe.
       ``(b) Survey.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete a survey 
     of the boundary lines to establish the boundaries of the land 
     taken into trust under subsection (a).
       ``(c) Reservation Land.--The land taken into trust pursuant 
     to subsection (a) shall be considered part of the reservation 
     of the Tribe.
       ``(d) Gaming Prohibition.--Gaming under the Indian Gaming 
     Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) shall not be allowed 
     on the land taken into trust pursuant to subsection (a).

     ``SEC. 1605. TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION.

       ``Administrative jurisdiction of the approximately 56 acres 
     of Federal land depicted on the Map as `USFS Transfer to BLM' 
     is hereby transferred from the Forest Service under the 
     Secretary of Agriculture to the Bureau of Land Management 
     under the Secretary.

     ``SEC. 1606. PROTECTION OF SERVICES AND RECREATIONAL 
                   OPPORTUNITIES.

       ``(a) Effect of Title.--Nothing in this title shall be 
     construed to limit commercial services for existing and 
     historic recreation uses as authorized by the Bureau of Land 
     Management's permit process.
       ``(b) Guided Recreational Opportunities.--Commercial 
     permits to exercise guided recreational opportunities for the 
     public authorized as of the date of the enactment of this 
     title may continue to be authorized.

                      ``TITLE XVII--MISCELLANEOUS

     ``SEC. 1701. MILITARY ACTIVITIES.

       ``Nothing in this Act--
       ``(1) restricts or precludes Department of Defense 
     motorized access by land or air--
       ``(A) to respond to an emergency within a wilderness area 
     designated by this Act; or
       ``(B) to control access to the emergency site;
       ``(2) prevents nonmechanized military training activities 
     previously conducted on wilderness areas designated by this 
     title that are consistent with--
       ``(A) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and
       ``(B) all applicable laws (including regulations);
       ``(3) restricts or precludes low-level overflights of 
     military aircraft over the areas designated as wilderness, 
     national monuments, special management areas, or recreation 
     areas by this Act, including military overflights that can be 
     seen or heard within the designated areas;
       ``(4) restricts or precludes flight testing and evaluation 
     in the areas described in paragraph (3); or
       ``(5) restricts or precludes the designation or creation of 
     new units of special use airspace, or the establishment of 
     military flight training routes, over the areas described in 
     paragraph (3).

     ``SEC. 1702. PROHIBITED USES OF ACQUIRED, DONATED, AND 
                   CONSERVATION LAND.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Acquired land.--The term `acquired land' means any 
     land acquired within the Conservation Area using amounts from 
     funds such as the Land and Water Conservation Fund 
     established under section 200302 of title 54, United States 
     Code.
       ``(2) Conservation land.--The term `conservation land' 
     means any land within the Conservation Area that is 
     designated by the Bureau of Land Management in the California 
     Desert Conservation Area Plan, as amended, for conservation 
     purposes, as part of a mitigation agreement, or to satisfy 
     the conditions of a Federal habitat conservation plan, 
     general conservation plan, or State natural communities 
     conservation plan, including--
       ``(A) National Conservation Land established pursuant to 
     section 2002(b)(2)(D) of the Omnibus Public Land Management 
     Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7202(b)(2)(D)); and
       ``(B) Areas of Critical Environmental Concern established 
     pursuant to section 202(c)(3) of the Federal Land Policy and 
     Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712(c)(3)).
       ``(3) Donated land.--The term `donated land' means any 
     private land donated to the United States for conservation 
     purposes in the Conservation Area.
       ``(4) Donor.--The term `donor' means an individual or 
     entity that donates private land within the Conservation Area 
     to the United States.
       ``(5) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of 
     Land Management.
       ``(b) Prohibitions.--Except as provided in subsection (c), 
     the Secretary shall not authorize the use of acquired land, 
     conservation land, or donated land within the Conservation 
     Area for any activities contrary to the conservation purposes 
     for which the land was acquired, designated, or donated, 
     including--
       ``(1) disposal;
       ``(2) rights-of-way;
       ``(3) leases;
       ``(4) livestock grazing;
       ``(5) infrastructure development, except as provided in 
     subsection (c);
       ``(6) mineral entry; and
       ``(7) off-highway vehicle use, except on--
       ``(A) designated routes;
       ``(B) off-highway vehicle areas designated by law; and
       ``(C) administratively designated open areas.
       ``(c) Exceptions.--
       ``(1) Authorization by secretary.--Subject to paragraph 
     (2), the Secretary may authorize limited exceptions to 
     prohibited uses of acquired land or donated land in the 
     Conservation Area if--
       ``(A) a right-of-way application for a renewable energy 
     development project or associated energy transport facility 
     on acquired land or donated land was submitted to the Bureau 
     of Land Management on or before December 1, 2009; or
       ``(B) after the completion and consideration of an analysis 
     under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
     U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and any appropriate land use plan 
     amendment under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
     1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Secretary has determined 
     that proposed use is in the public interest.
       ``(2) Conditions.--
       ``(A) In general.--If the Secretary grants an exception to 
     the prohibition under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
     require the permittee to donate private land of comparable 
     value located within the Conservation Area to the United 
     States to mitigate the use.
       ``(B) Approval.--The private land to be donated under 
     subparagraph (A) shall be approved by the Secretary after--
       ``(i) consultation, to the maximum extent practicable, with 
     the donor of the private land proposed for nonconservation 
     uses; and
       ``(ii) an opportunity for public comment regarding the 
     donation.
       ``(d) Existing Agreements.--Nothing in this section affects 
     permitted or prohibited uses of donated land or acquired land 
     in the Conservation Area established in any easements, deed 
     restrictions, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements 
     in existence on the date of enactment of this title.
       ``(e) Deed Restrictions.--Effective beginning on the date 
     of enactment of this title, within the Conservation Area, the 
     Secretary may--
       ``(1) accept deed restrictions requested by landowners for 
     land donated to, or otherwise acquired by, the United States; 
     and
       ``(2) consistent with existing rights, create deed 
     restrictions, easements, or other third-party rights relating 
     to any public land determined by the Secretary to be 
     necessary--
       ``(A) to fulfill the mitigation requirements resulting from 
     the development of renewable resources; or
       ``(B) to satisfy the conditions of--
       ``(i) a habitat conservation plan or general conservation 
     plan established pursuant to section 10 of the Endangered 
     Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1539); or
       ``(ii) a natural communities conservation plan approved by 
     the State.
       ``(f) Existing Rights of Way and Leases.--Nothing in this 
     section shall terminate or preclude the renewal or 
     reauthorization of valid existing rights-of-way or leases on 
     the donated land.

     ``SEC. 1703. TRIBAL USES AND INTERESTS.

       ``(a) Access.--The Secretary shall ensure access to areas 
     designated under this Act by members of Indian tribes for 
     traditional cultural and religious purposes, consistent with 
     applicable law, including Public Law 95-341 (commonly known 
     as the `American Indian Religious Freedom Act') (42 U.S.C. 
     1996).
       ``(b) Temporary Closure.--
       ``(1) In general.--In accordance with applicable law, 
     including Public Law 95-341 (commonly known as the `American 
     Indian Religious Freedom Act') (42 U.S.C. 1996), and subject 
     to paragraph (2), the Secretary, on request of an Indian 
     tribe or Indian religious community, shall temporarily close 
     to general public use any portion of an area designated as a 
     national monument, special management area, wild and scenic 
     river, area of critical environmental concern, or National 
     Park System unit under this Act (referred to in this 
     subsection as a `designated area') to protect the privacy of 
     traditional cultural and religious activities in the 
     designated area by members of the Indian tribe or Indian 
     religious community.
       ``(2) Limitation.--In closing a portion of a designated 
     area under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall limit the 
     closure to the smallest practicable area for the minimum 
     period necessary for the traditional cultural and religious 
     activities.
       ``(c) Cultural Resources Management Plan.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this title, the Secretary of the Interior shall 
     develop and implement a cultural resources management plan to 
     identify, protect, and conserve cultural resources of Indian 
     tribes associated with the Xam Kwatchan Trail network 
     extending from Avikwaame (Spirit Mountain, Nevada) to 
     Avikwlal (Pilot Knob, California).
       ``(2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult on the 
     development and implementation of the cultural resources 
     management plan under paragraph (1) with--
       ``(A) each of--
       ``(i) the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe;
       ``(ii) the Hualapai Tribal Nation;
       ``(iii) the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe;
       ``(iv) the Colorado River Indian Tribes;
       ``(v) the Quechan Indian Tribe; and
       ``(vi) the Cocopah Indian Tribe; and
       ``(B) the State Historic Preservation Offices of Nevada, 
     Arizona, and California.
       ``(3) Resource protection.--The cultural resources 
     management plan developed under paragraph (1) shall be--

[[Page H5600]]

       ``(A) based on a completed cultural resources survey; and
       ``(B) include procedures for identifying, protecting, and 
     preserving petroglyphs, ancient trails, intaglios, sleeping 
     circles, artifacts, and other resources of cultural, 
     archaeological, or historical significance in accordance with 
     all applicable laws and policies, including--
       ``(i) chapter 2003 of title 54, United States Code;
       ``(ii) Public Law 95-341 (commonly known as the `American 
     Indian Religious Freedom Act') (42 U.S.C. 1996);
       ``(iii) the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 
     (16 U.S.C. 470aa et seq.);
       ``(iv) the Native American Graves Protection and 
     Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.); and
       ``(v) Public Law 103-141 (commonly known as the `Religious 
     Freedom Restoration Act of 1993') (42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.).
       ``(d) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, all 
     Federal land within the area administratively withdrawn and 
     known as the `Indian Pass Withdrawal Area' is permanently 
     withdrawn from--
       ``(1) all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under 
     the public land laws;
       ``(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; 
     and
       ``(3) right-of-way leasing and disposition under all laws 
     relating to minerals or solar, wind, or geothermal energy.

     ``SEC. 1704. RELEASE OF FEDERAL REVERSIONARY LAND INTERESTS.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) 1932 act.--The `1932 Act' means the Act of June 18, 
     1932 (47 Stat. 324, chapter 270).
       ``(2) District.--The `District' means the Metropolitan 
     Water District of Southern California.
       ``(b) Release.--Subject to valid existing claims perfected 
     prior to the effective date of the 1932 Act and the 
     reservation of minerals set forth in the 1932 Act, the 
     Secretary shall release, convey, or otherwise quitclaim to 
     the District, in a form recordable in local county records, 
     and subject to the approval of the District, after 
     consultation and without monetary consideration, all right, 
     title, and remaining interest of the United States in and to 
     the land that was conveyed to the District pursuant to the 
     1932 Act or any other law authorizing conveyance subject to 
     restrictions or reversionary interests retained by the United 
     States, on request by the District.
       ``(c) Terms and Conditions.--A conveyance authorized by 
     subsection (b) shall be subject to the following terms and 
     conditions:
       ``(1) The District shall cover, or reimburse the Secretary 
     for, the costs incurred by the Secretary to make the 
     conveyance, including title searches, surveys, deed 
     preparation, attorneys' fees, and similar expenses.
       ``(2) By accepting the conveyances, the District agrees to 
     indemnify and hold harmless the United States with regard to 
     any boundary dispute relating to any parcel conveyed under 
     this section.

     ``SEC. 1705. DESERT TORTOISE CONSERVATION CENTER.

       ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of the Interior 
     (referred to in this section as the `Secretary') shall 
     establish, operate, and maintain a bi-State center, to be 
     known as the `Desert Tortoise Conservation Center' (referred 
     to in this section as the `Center'), on public land along the 
     border between the States of California and Nevada--
       ``(1) to support desert tortoise research, disease 
     monitoring, handling training, rehabilitation, and 
     reintroduction; and
       ``(2) to ensure the full recovery and ongoing survival of 
     the desert tortoise species.
       ``(b) Requirements.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall--
       ``(1) seek the participation of or contract with qualified 
     nongovernmental organizations with expertise in desert 
     tortoise disease research and experience with desert tortoise 
     translocation techniques, and scientific training of 
     professional biologists for handling tortoises, to staff and 
     manage the Center, including through the use of public-
     private partnerships for funding and other purposes, where 
     appropriate;
       ``(2) ensure that the Center engages in public outreach and 
     education on tortoise handling; and
       ``(3) consult with the States of California and Nevada to 
     ensure the center is operated consistently with applicable 
     State law.
       ``(c) Non-Federal Contributions.--The Secretary may accept 
     and expend contributions of non-Federal funds to establish, 
     operate, and maintain the Center.

     ``SEC. 1706. WILDLIFE CORRIDORS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(1) assess the impacts of habitat fragmentation on 
     wildlife in the Conservation Area; and
       ``(2) establish policies and procedures to ensure the 
     preservation of wildlife corridors and facilitate species 
     migration.
       ``(b) Study.--
       ``(1) In general.--As soon as practicable, but not later 
     than 2 years after the date of enactment of this title, the 
     Secretary shall complete a study regarding the impact of 
     habitat fragmentation on wildlife in the Conservation Area.
       ``(2) Components.--The study under paragraph (1) shall--
       ``(A) identify the species migrating, or likely to migrate, 
     in the Conservation Area;
       ``(B) examine the impacts and potential impacts of habitat 
     fragmentation on--
       ``(i) plants, insects, and animals; and
       ``(ii) species migration and survival;
       ``(C) identify critical wildlife and species migration 
     corridors recommended for preservation; and
       ``(D) include recommendations for ensuring the biological 
     connectivity of public land managed by the Secretary and the 
     Secretary of Defense throughout the Conservation Area.
       ``(3) Rights-of-way.--The Secretary shall consider the 
     information and recommendations of the study under paragraph 
     (1) to determine the individual and cumulative impacts of 
     rights-of-way for projects in the Conservation Area, in 
     accordance with--
       ``(A) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
     U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
       ``(B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
     seq.); and
       ``(C) any other applicable law.
       ``(c) Land Management Plans.--The Secretary shall 
     incorporate into all land management plans applicable to the 
     Conservation Area the findings and recommendations of the 
     study completed under subsection (b).''.

     SEC. 3. VISITOR CENTER.

       Title IV of the California Desert Protection Act of 1994 
     (16 U.S.C. 410aaa-21 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 408. VISITOR CENTER.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may acquire not more than 
     5 acres of land and interests in land, and improvements on 
     the land and interests, outside the boundaries of Joshua Tree 
     National Park, in the unincorporated village of Joshua Tree, 
     for the purpose of operating a visitor center.
       ``(b) Boundary.--The Secretary shall modify the boundary of 
     the park to include the land acquired under this section as a 
     noncontiguous parcel.
       ``(c) Administration.--Land and facilities acquired under 
     this section--
       ``(1) may include the property owned (as of the date of 
     enactment of this section) by the Joshua Tree National Park 
     Association and commonly referred to as the `Joshua Tree 
     National Park Visitor Center';
       ``(2) shall be administered by the Secretary as part of the 
     park; and
       ``(3) may be acquired only with the consent of the owner, 
     by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or 
     exchange.''.

     SEC. 4. CALIFORNIA STATE SCHOOL LAND.

       Section 707 of the California Desert Protection Act of 1994 
     (16 U.S.C. 410aaa-77) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in the first sentence--
       (i) by striking ``Upon request of the California State 
     Lands Commission (hereinafter in this section referred to as 
     the `Commission'), the Secretary shall enter into 
     negotiations for an agreement'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall negotiate in good 
     faith to reach an agreement with the California State Lands 
     Commission (referred to in this section as the Commission)''; 
     and
       (ii) by inserting ``, national monuments, off-highway 
     vehicle recreation areas,'' after ``more of the wilderness 
     areas''; and
       (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``The Secretary 
     shall negotiate in good faith to'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(2) Agreement.--To the maximum extent practicable, not 
     later than 10 years after the date of enactment of this 
     title, the Secretary shall'';
       (2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``, national 
     monuments, off-highway vehicle recreation areas,'' after 
     ``wilderness areas'';
       (3) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) Special deposit fund account.--
       ``(A) In general.--Assembled land exchanges may be used to 
     carry out this section through the sale of surplus Federal 
     property and subsequent acquisitions of State school land.
       ``(B) Receipts.--Past and future receipts from the sale of 
     property described in subsection (a), less any costs incurred 
     related to the sale, shall be deposited in a Special Deposit 
     Fund Account established in the Treasury.
       ``(C) Use.--Funds accumulated in the Special Deposit Fund 
     Account may be used by the Secretary, without an 
     appropriation, to acquire State school lands or interest in 
     the land consistent with this section.''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Memorandum of Agreement.--
       ``(1) Any transaction completed pursuant to this section 
     prior to January 1, 2018:
       ``(A) is deemed to be in compliance with the terms of the 
     October 26, 1995, Memorandum of Agreement between the 
     commission, the general services administration, and the 
     Secretary; and
       ``(B) meets the requirements of subsection (a) of this 
     section.
       ``(2) Future transactions that satisfy the terms of the 
     October 26, 1995, Memorandum of Agreement shall be considered 
     to be in compliance with subsection (a) of this section.''.

     SEC. 5. DESIGNATION OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS.

       Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1274(a)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (196), by striking subparagraph (A) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(A)(i) The approximately 1.4-mile segment of the Amargosa 
     River in the State of California, from the private property 
     boundary in sec. 19, T. 22 N., R. 7 E., to 100 feet 
     downstream of Highway 178, to be administered by the 
     Secretary of the Interior as a scenic river as an addition to 
     the wild and scenic river segments of the Amargosa River on 
     publication by the Secretary of a notice in the Federal 
     Register that sufficient inholdings within the boundaries of 
     the segments have been acquired as scenic easements or in fee 
     title to establish a manageable addition to those segments.
       ``(ii) The approximately 6.1-mile segment of the Amargosa 
     River in the State of California, from 100 feet downstream of 
     the State Highway 178 crossing to 100 feet upstream of the 
     Tecopa Hot Springs Road crossing, to be administered by the 
     Secretary of the Interior as a scenic river.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(213) Surprise canyon creek, california.--
       ``(A) In general.--The following segments of Surprise 
     Canyon Creek in the State of California, to be administered 
     by the Secretary of the Interior:

[[Page H5601]]

       ``(i) The approximately 5.3 miles of Surprise Canyon Creek 
     from the confluence of Frenchman's Canyon and Water Canyon to 
     100 feet upstream of Chris Wicht Camp, as a wild river.
       ``(ii) The approximately 1.8 miles of Surprise Canyon Creek 
     from 100 feet upstream of Chris Wicht Camp to the southern 
     boundary of sec. 14, T. 21 S., R. 44 E., Mount Diablo 
     Meridian, as a recreational river.
       ``(B) Effect on historic mining structures.--Nothing in 
     this paragraph affects the historic mining structures 
     associated with the former Panamint Mining District.
       ``(214) Deep creek, california.--
       ``(A) In general.--The following segments of Deep Creek in 
     the State of California, to be administered by the Secretary 
     of Agriculture:
       ``(i) The approximately 6.5-mile segment from 0.125 mile 
     downstream of the Rainbow Dam site in sec. 33, T. 2 N., R. 2 
     W., San Bernardino Meridian to 0.25 miles upstream of the 
     Road 3N34 crossing, as a wild river.
       ``(ii) The 0.5-mile segment from 0.25 mile upstream of the 
     Road 3N34 crossing to 0.25 mile downstream of the Road 3N34 
     crossing, as a scenic river.
       ``(iii) The 2.5-mile segment from 0.25 miles downstream of 
     the Road 3 N. 34 crossing to 0.25 miles upstream of the Trail 
     2W01 crossing, as a wild river.
       ``(iv) The 0.5-mile segment from 0.25 miles upstream of the 
     Trail 2W01 crossing to 0.25 mile downstream of the Trail 2W01 
     crossing, as a scenic river.
       ``(v) The 10-mile segment from 0.25 miles downstream of the 
     Trail 2W01 crossing to the upper limit of the Mojave dam 
     flood zone in sec. 17, T. 3 N., R. 3 W., San Bernardino 
     Meridian, as a wild river.
       ``(vi) The 11-mile segment of Holcomb Creek from 100 yards 
     downstream of the Road 3N12 crossing to .25 miles downstream 
     of Holcomb Crossing, as a recreational river.
       ``(vii) The 3.5-mile segment of the Holcomb Creek from 0.25 
     miles downstream of Holcomb Crossing to the Deep Creek 
     confluence, as a wild river.
       ``(B) Effect on ski operations.--Nothing in this paragraph 
     affects--
       ``(i) the operations of the Snow Valley Ski Resort; or
       ``(ii) the State regulation of water rights and water 
     quality associated with the operation of the Snow Valley Ski 
     Resort.
       ``(215) Whitewater river, california.--The following 
     segments of the Whitewater River in the State of California, 
     to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture and the 
     Secretary of the Interior, acting jointly:
       ``(A) The 5.8-mile segment of the North Fork Whitewater 
     River from the source of the River near Mt. San Gorgonio to 
     the confluence with the Middle Fork, as a wild river.
       ``(B) The 6.4-mile segment of the Middle Fork Whitewater 
     River from the source of the River to the confluence with the 
     South Fork, as a wild river.
       ``(C) The 1-mile segment of the South Fork Whitewater River 
     from the confluence of the River with the East Fork to the 
     section line between sections 32 and 33, T. 1 S., R. 2 E., 
     San Bernardino Meridian, as a wild river.
       ``(D) The 1-mile segment of the South Fork Whitewater River 
     from the section line between sections 32 and 33, T. 1 S., R. 
     2 E., San Bernardino Meridian, to the section line between 
     sections 33 and 34, T. 1 S., R. 2 E., San Bernardino 
     Meridian, as a recreational river.
       ``(E) The 4.9-mile segment of the South Fork Whitewater 
     River from the section line between sections 33 and 34, T. 1 
     S., R. 2 E., San Bernardino Meridian, to the confluence with 
     the Middle Fork, as a wild river.
       ``(F) The 5.4-mile segment of the main stem of the 
     Whitewater River from the confluence of the South and Middle 
     Forks to the San Gorgonio Wilderness boundary, as a wild 
     river.
       ``(G) The 3.6-mile segment of the main stem of the 
     Whitewater River from the San Gorgonio Wilderness boundary to 
     .25 miles upstream of the southern boundary of section 35, T. 
     2 S., R. 3 E., San Bernardino Meridian, as a recreational 
     river.''.

     SEC. 6. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--Section 1 of the California Desert 
     Protection Act of 1994 (16 U.S.C. 410aaa note; Public Law 
     103-433) is amended by striking ``1 and 2, and titles I 
     through IX'' and inserting ``1, 2, and 3, titles I through 
     IX, and titles XIII through XVII''.
       (b) Definitions.--The California Desert Protection Act of 
     1994 (Public Law 103-433; 108 Stat. 4481) is amended by 
     inserting after section 2 the following:

     ``SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       ``In titles XIII through XVII:
       ``(1) Conservation area.--The term `Conservation Area' 
     means the California Desert Conservation Area.
       ``(2) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means--
       ``(A) with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the 
     Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of the Interior; and
       ``(B) with respect to land under the jurisdiction of the 
     Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Agriculture.
       ``(3) State.--The term `State' means the State of 
     California.''.
       (c) Administration of Wilderness Areas.--Section 103 of the 
     California Desert Protection Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-433; 
     108 Stat. 4481) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
       ``(d) No Buffer Zones.--
       ``(1) In general.--Congress does not intend for the 
     designation of wilderness areas by this Act--
       ``(A) to require the additional regulation of land adjacent 
     to the wilderness areas; or
       ``(B) to lead to the creation of protective perimeters or 
     buffer zones around the wilderness areas.
       ``(2) Nonwilderness activities.--Any nonwilderness 
     activities (including renewable energy projects, energy 
     transmission or telecommunications projects, mining, and 
     military activities) in areas immediately adjacent to the 
     boundary of a wilderness area designated by this Act shall 
     not be restricted or precluded by this Act, regardless of any 
     actual or perceived negative impacts of the nonwilderness 
     activities on the wilderness area, including any potential 
     indirect impacts of nonwilderness activities conducted 
     outside the designated wilderness area on the viewshed, 
     ambient noise level, or air quality of wilderness area.'';
       (2) in subsection (f), by striking ``designated by this 
     title and'' and inserting ``, potential wilderness areas, 
     special management areas, and national monuments designated 
     by this title or titles XIII through XVII''; and
       (3) in subsection (g), by inserting ``, a potential 
     wilderness area, a special management areas, or national 
     monument'' before ``by this Act''.
       (d) Juniper Flats.--Title VII of the California Desert 
     Protection Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-433; 108 Stat. 4497) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 712. JUNIPER FLATS.

       ``Development of renewable energy generation facilities 
     (excluding rights-of-way or facilities for the transmission 
     of energy and telecommunication facilities and 
     infrastructure) is prohibited on the approximately 28,000 
     acres of Federal land generally depicted as `BLM Land 
     Unavailable for Energy Development' on the map entitled 
     `Juniper Flats' and dated April 26, 2018.''.
       (e) California Military Lands Withdrawal and Overflights 
     Act of 1994.--
       (1) Findings.--Section 801(b)(2) of the California Military 
     Lands Withdrawal and Overflights Act of 1994 (16 U.S.C. 
     410aaa-82 note; Public Law 103-433) is amended by inserting 
     ``, special management areas, potential wilderness areas,'' 
     before ``and wilderness areas''.
       (2) Overflights; special airspace.--Section 802 of the 
     California Military Lands Withdrawal and Overflights Act of 
     1994 (16 U.S.C. 410aaa-82) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by inserting ``or special management 
     areas'' before ``designated by this Act'';
       (B) in subsection (b), by inserting ``or special management 
     areas'' before ``designated by this Act''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(d) Department of Defense Facilities.--Nothing in this 
     Act alters any authority of the Secretary of Defense to 
     conduct military operations at installations and ranges 
     within the California Desert Conservation Area that are 
     authorized under any other provision of law.''.
       (f) Clarification Regarding Funding.--No additional funds 
     are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act and 
     the amendments made by this Act. Such requirements shall be 
     carried out using amounts otherwise authorized.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Utah (Mr. Bishop) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Brown) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Utah?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from California (Mr. Cook), whose bill we are 
discussing, and who actually came up with the process of involving his 
community to do this kind of transfer the right way.
  Mr. COOK. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bishop for yielding me the 
time.
  I would like to take a few minutes to talk about my bill, H.R. 857, 
the California Off-Road Recreational and Conservation Act. The 
California desert has long been a land of many uses. The local 
economies depend on a combination of revenue from recreational off-
highway vehicle use, known as OHV, mining, and tourism to our stunning 
desert parks and wilderness areas.
  Balancing these economic drivers is key to aligning Federal land use 
policies. This bill is the product of years of outreach to local 
governments, Tribes, off-highway vehicle users, conservation groups, 
chambers of commerce, miners, and other stakeholders.
  H.R. 857 will establish five off-highway vehicle recreational areas 
in the California desert, as well as expand an existing OHV area. Three 
of these OHV areas would also include expansion study areas. In total, 
these 6 OHV areas cover 300,000 acres.
  This bill creates additional protections for OHV users and ensures 
that these areas cannot be closed administratively. Creating the 
Nation's first

[[Page H5602]]

system of off-highway vehicle recreation areas will ensure that OHV 
activity is conducted in appropriate locations, protecting other parts 
of the desert.
  The California Desert Protection Act of 1994 left the Mojave Desert 
with hundreds of thousands of acres of wilderness study areas. In a 
decade since then, these areas have been reviewed extensively for their 
suitability as wilderness areas.
  My bill would designate some of these areas as wilderness, primarily 
within these wilderness study areas and Death Valley National Park, 
while releasing other areas from the wilderness study that were found 
to be unsuitable for wilderness designation.
  Additionally, my bill would designate approximately 18,000 acres of 
existing Federal land as the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area. This 
would restrict large-scale projects, such as renewable energy 
generation, while preserving all existing recreational and commercial 
use of Alabama Hills. Activities such as filming, hiking, mountain 
biking, rock climbing, hunting, fishing, and authorized motorized 
vehicle use would be unaffected. Additionally, recreational mineral 
prospecting, i.e., rockhounding, would continue.
  This portion of H.R. 857 passed the House as a stand-alone bill in 
the last Congress with unanimous support before stalling in the Senate.
  The California Off-Road Recreation Conservation Act has the support 
of San Bernardino County and Inyo County; the Metropolitan Water 
District of Southern California; local cities; virtually every major 
off-road vehicle group; environmental groups, such as the California 
Wilderness Coalition, and the Pew Charitable Trusts; local chambers of 
commerce; and Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Reservation.
  There is no known opposition to this bill. H.R. 857 is the product of 
years of grassroots work and represents a consensus on how to manage 
our public lands in the California desert.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support its 
passage.
  Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 857, introduced by Representative Cook from 
California, is a comprehensive package of land designations designed to 
increase conservation efforts and recreation access throughout the 
California desert.
  The bill adds approximately 329,370 acres to the National Wilderness 
Preservation System, expands three units of the National Park System, 
creates new areas set aside for off-highway recreation, and establishes 
the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area.
  Representative Cook's bill builds upon the success of the California 
Desert Protection Act and the recent monument designations by President 
Obama to provide lasting protections and ensure ongoing recreational 
access throughout the region.

                              {time}  1615

  This bill closely mirrors its Senate companion introduced by Senator 
Feinstein that is moving its way through the legislative process in the 
Senate. Hopefully, that means we can deliver a version of this bill to 
the President's desk to provide a lasting conservation solution for a 
substantial portion of the California desert.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I insert into the Record background material for this 
particular bill.

 Background and Need for H.R. 857, the California Off-Road Recreation 
                          and Conservation Act

       President Clinton signed into law the California Desert 
     Protection Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-433), which 
     established the Mojave National Preserve, the Death Valley 
     National Park and Joshua Tree National Park. It also created 
     over 7 million acres of wilderness in the California desert, 
     which stretches across millions of acres of the southeastern 
     corner of the State. Since then, there have been numerous 
     legislative efforts to apply additional federal land 
     protections in this area, including the designation of 
     additional wilderness, national monuments, and expansion of 
     existing National Parks. In the 114th Congress, Senator 
     Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced S. 414, the California 
     Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015, a bill that 
     amends and updates the California Desert Protection Act of 
     1994 and reflects similar bills introduced in previous 
     Congresses. S. 414 would have created two new national 
     monuments, designated approximately 349,000 acres as 
     wilderness, and expanded Death Valley National Park, Joshua 
     Tree National Park and the Mojave National Preserve.
       Rather than pursue the legislative process, Senator 
     Feinstein asked the Obama Administration in August 2015 to 
     use its authority under the Antiquities Act of 1906 (54 
     U.S.C. 320301 et seq.) to unilaterally designate three 
     national monuments in the California desert--the Mojave 
     Trails National Monument, Sand to Snow National Monument, and 
     Castle Mountains National Monument--without Congressional 
     approval. The following October, Senator Feinstein, the 
     Department of the Interior, and Department of Agriculture 
     hosted one public meeting on the prospect of designating 
     these areas as national monuments, as well as other 
     management priorities for the California desert area.
       In response to concerns raised regarding this monument 
     strategy, Congressman Paul Cook worked with local communities 
     and stakeholders to craft alternative legislation which 
     attempted to balance the environmental protection of the 
     desert's landscapes with recreational and other multiple-use 
     activities that have occurred in the region for decades. The 
     result was H.R. 3668, the California Minerals, Off-Road 
     Recreation, and Conservation Act. It was the subject of a 
     Federal Lands Subcommittee hearing on December 9, 2015, but 
     no further legislative action was taken in the 114th 
     Congress. On February 12, 2016, President Obama designated 
     three new national monuments encompassing nearly 1.75 million 
     acres in the Southern California desert.
       H.R. 857 seeks to balance many of the environmental and 
     recreationalist concerns that have remained in the wake of 
     the Obama designations. The bill creates the first system of 
     Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation in the nation by setting 
     aside nearly 150,000 acres across six areas to enhance and 
     protect OHV activity. The bill also releases approximately 
     121,000 acres of Wilderness Study Areas, allowing for broader 
     management of such lands. Additionally, as part of a 
     compromise between OHV and environmental groups, H.R. 857 
     designates approximately 330,000 acres of new wilderness, 
     creates a new National Scenic Area, and establishes 77 miles 
     of new Wild and Scenic Rivers. Much of the wilderness 
     designated under the bill is contained within a National Park 
     or a Wilderness Study Area.
       The following groups support this legislation: Advocates 
     for Access to Public Lands; Alabama Hills Stewardship Group; 
     American Motorcyclist Association; American Sand Association; 
     Americans for Responsible Recreational Access; The City of 
     Bishop, CA; Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors 
     Bureau; Blue Ribbon Coalition, Inc.; California Wilderness 
     Coalition; Eastern Sierra 4X4 Club; Friends of the Inyo; Inyo 
     County Board of Supervisors; Inyo County Superintendent of 
     Schools; Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce; Lone Pine Paiute-
     Shoshone Reservation; Motorcycle Industry Council; National 
     Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council; Pew Charitable 
     Trusts; Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association; San 
     Bernardino County; Specialty Equipment Market Association; 
     Specialty Vehicle Institute of America.


            selected section-by-section analysis as reported

       Sec. 2. California Off-Road Recreation and Conservation.
       Designates approximately 330,000 acres of wilderness in the 
     California desert, 88,000 acres of which is primarily within 
     Joshua Tree National Park and 180,000 acres of which is 
     currently a Wilderness Study Area. This section also releases 
     approximately 121,000 acres of Wilderness Study Areas back 
     into multiple use, and ensures that ``cherry-stemmed'' roads 
     within wilderness remain open to motorized access.
       Adds approximately 40,000 acres to the National Park 
     System. Approximately 35,000 acres of land would be added to 
     Death Valley National Park, 25 acres would be added to Mojave 
     National Preserve, and approximately 4,500 acres would be 
     added to Joshua Tree National Park.
       Designates six existing administrative off-highway vehicle 
     areas as ``National Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Areas,'' 
     creating the first system of national OHV Recreation Areas in 
     the nation. These include Dumont Dunes, El Mirage, Rasor, 
     Spangler Hills, Stoddard Valley, and Johnson Valley (a total 
     of more than 150,000 acres dedicated to OHV recreation), and 
     designates an additional 51,980 acres of previously disturbed 
     land for study and potential inclusion into the System.
       Designates 18,610 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
     land as the ``Alabama Hills National Scenic Area'' and 
     includes the area in the National Landscape Conservation 
     System.
       Takes 132 acres of federal land into trust for the Lone 
     Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe and prohibits gaming on the land.
       Ensures access to areas designated under the Act by tribes 
     for traditional cultural and religious purposes, including 
     the ability of a tribe to request the Secretary of the 
     Interior to temporarily close any designated area to protect 
     the privacy of traditional cultural and religious activities 
     by members of a tribe or Indian religious community.
       Requires the development and implementation of a tribal 
     cultural resources management plan to identify, protect, and 
     conserve

[[Page H5603]]

     cultural resources of Indian tribes associated with the Xam 
     Kwatchan Trail network.
       Establishes a California-Nevada Desert Tortoise Relocation 
     Center with the aid of private partners and directs the 
     Secretary of the Interior to study wildlife corridors and 
     species migration in the California desert.
       Sec. 3. Visitor Center.
       Authorizes the National Park Service to acquire up to five 
     acres of land for a Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center.
       Sec. 4. California State School Land.
       Allows BLM revenue from surplus land exchange and disposal 
     to fund the purchase of California State school trust land.
       Sec. 5. Designation of Wild and Scenic Rivers.
       Designates 77 miles of new wild, scenic, and recreational 
     rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 
     et seq.). The designations affect the Amargosa River, 
     Surprise Canyon Creek, Deep Creek, and the Whitewater River.
       Sec. 6. Conforming Amendments.
       Makes conforming amendments and prevents the creation of 
     buffer zones around new wilderness areas.

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, let me just say very quickly here 
that what Representative Cook has done is taking an important issue and 
doing it the right way, by collaboration and outreach with local people 
who live in those areas on what they want to do with the public land.
  Public land does not necessarily only mean Federal land. Public land 
can also be State, it can be county, and it can be all sorts of 
entities' land, but the value of that land, whether it is Federal or 
State or county or municipality, is does it help the people of that 
particular area.
  What Mr. Cook has done in this particular piece of legislation is 
talk to them and find a way in which the land can actually be used to 
help people. So, yes, he released some wilderness study areas that were 
designated as unsuitable for a wilderness designation but then created 
three times that number of acreage in new wilderness designations as 
well as new wild and scenic river designations.
  Most importantly, because land is needed for recreational purposes, 
he puts protections for people who are using this land--OHV users, 
especially--that ensure these areas will not be closed administratively 
and that that kind of recreation opportunity will not be taken away on 
a whim.
  So what he has done is worked very hard with local people to find 
local people's needs and desires for their local land and provided them 
an opportunity that will provide not only economic benefits for a few, 
but also recreational benefits for many, as well as creating new 
wilderness designations at the same time and wild and scenic 
designations at the same time.
  This is a win-win for everyone involved. I commend him for his hard 
work in actually coming up with this particular process. This is the 
way land designation should be used.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BROWN of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to adopt this 
bill. I have no more speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 857, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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