[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5940-S5942]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

  SA 3239. Mr. BRAUN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by 
him to the bill S. 4638, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 
2025 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military 
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, 
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of subtitle H of title X, add the following:

     SEC. 1095. BENJAMIN HARRISON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA AND 
                   WILDERNESS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory Committee'' 
     means the advisory committee for the National Recreation Area 
     established under subsection (d)(1).
       (2) Management plan.--The term ``Management Plan'' means 
     the management plan for the National Recreation Area and 
     Wilderness developed under subsection (e)(1).

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       (3) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled 
     ``Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area and Wilderness 
     Establishment Act of 2023'' and dated March 27, 2024.
       (4) National recreation area.--The term ``National 
     Recreation Area'' means the Benjamin Harrison National 
     Recreation Area established by subsection (b)(2).
       (5) National recreation area and wilderness.--The term 
     ``National Recreation Area and Wilderness'' means the 
     Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area and Wilderness 
     established by subsection (b)(1).
       (6) Nonwilderness corridor.--The term ``nonwilderness 
     corridor'' means the land 100 feet in width from either side 
     of the centerline of the existing trails and roads, as 
     depicted on the map as ``Non-Wilderness Corridor'', which is 
     not included as part of the ``Proposed Wilderness'', as 
     depicted on the map.
       (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest 
     Service.
       (8) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of Indiana.
       (9) Wilderness addition.--The term ``Wilderness addition'' 
     means the land added to the Charles C. Deam Wilderness by 
     subsection (b)(3).
       (b) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--There is established in the State the 
     Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area and Wilderness as 
     a subunit of the Hoosier National Forest, consisting of--
       (A) the National Recreation Area; and
       (B) the Wilderness addition.
       (2) Benjamin harrison national recreation area.--There is 
     established in the State the Benjamin Harrison National 
     Recreation Area, consisting of approximately 29,382 acres of 
     National Forest System land depicted on the map as ``Proposed 
     National Recreation Area (NRA)''.
       (3) Charles c. deam wilderness addition.--The approximately 
     15,300 acres of National Forest System land in the State 
     generally depicted on the map as ``Proposed Wilderness'' 
     shall be added to and administered as part of the Charles C. 
     Deam Wilderness in accordance with Public Law 97-384 (16 
     U.S.C. 1132 note; 96 Stat. 1942), consisting of--
       (A) the approximately 2,028.8 acres of National Forest 
     System land in the State generally depicted on the map as the 
     ``Deckard Ridge Units A, B, and C'';
       (B) the approximately 2,633 acres of National Forest System 
     land in the State generally depicted on the map as the 
     ``Panther Creek Units A and B'';
       (C) the approximately 5,456.9 acres of National Forest 
     System land in the State generally depicted on the map as the 
     ``Nebo Ridge Units A, B, C, D, and E'';
       (D) the approximately 2,141.4 acres of National Forest 
     System land in the State generally depicted on the map as the 
     ``Browning Mountain Unit'';
       (E) the approximately 2,161.9 acres of National Forest 
     System land in the State generally depicted on the map as the 
     ``Hickory Ridge Units A, B, C, D, and E''; and
       (F) the approximately 878.3 acres of National Forest System 
     land in the State generally depicted on the map as the ``Mose 
     Ray Branch Unit''.
       (4) Availability of map.--Not later than 30 days after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file the 
     map, and make the map available for public inspection, in the 
     appropriate offices of the Forest Service.
       (c) Administration.--The Secretary shall manage--
       (1) the Wilderness addition (other than the nonwilderness 
     corridors) in a manner that is consistent with the Wilderness 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and
       (2) the National Recreation Area in a manner that ensures--
       (A) the protection of the water quality of the public water 
     supply of Monroe Reservoir in the State in accordance with 
     section 303(e)(1) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 
     2003 (16 U.S.C. 6542(e)(1)); and
       (B) the promotion of recreational opportunities in the 
     National Recreation Area.
       (3) Hunting, fishing, and trapping.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary 
     shall allow hunting, fishing, and trapping in the National 
     Recreation Area and Wilderness.
       (B) Limitations.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
     designees from the State Department of Natural Resources and 
     the Corps of Engineers, may, for reasons of public safety, 
     species enhancement, or management of a species listed as 
     endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 
     1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), designate areas in which, and 
     establish seasons during which, no hunting, fishing, or 
     trapping is permitted in the National Recreation Area and 
     Wilderness.
       (C) Effect.--Nothing in this section affects the 
     jurisdiction of the State with respect to fish and wildlife 
     in the National Recreation Area and Wilderness.
       (4) Recreation.--
       (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary 
     shall--
       (i) in the National Recreation Area, continue to permit and 
     provide for appropriate nonmotorized and motorized 
     recreational uses, including hiking, viewing of nature and 
     wildlife, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, and 
     other existing recreational uses; and
       (ii) permit the nonmechanized recreational use of the 
     Wilderness addition, in accordance with the Wilderness Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) within the boundary of the 
     ``Proposed Wilderness'' indicated on the map.
       (B) Limitations.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
     designees from the State Department of Natural Resources and 
     the Corps of Engineers, may designate zones in which, and 
     establish periods during which, a recreational use shall not 
     be permitted in the National Recreation Area and Wilderness 
     under subparagraph (A) for reasons of public safety, species 
     enhancement, or management of a species listed as endangered 
     or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
     U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
       (C) Trail plan.--Notwithstanding any provisions of the 
     Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) or any other 
     provision of law, the Secretary, in consultation with 
     interested parties, shall establish a trail plan--
       (i) to maintain existing mountain biking, hiking, and 
     equestrian trails in the nonwilderness corridors; and
       (ii) to develop mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian 
     trails in the National Recreation Area.
       (5) Vegetation management.--
       (A) Wilderness addition.--Consistent with the Wilderness 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), timber removal or management 
     shall not be permitted in the Wilderness addition, except as 
     the Secretary determines to be necessary for public safety 
     and management of diseases, as described in section 293.3 of 
     title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
     regulation).
       (B) National recreation area.--Vegetation management within 
     the National Recreation Area shall be consistent with--
       (i) the Management Plan; and
       (ii) any applicable Forest Service land management plan.
       (d) National Recreation Area Federal Advisory Committee.--
       (1) Establishment.--As soon as practicable after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish an 
     advisory committee to advise the Secretary with respect to 
     the management of the National Recreation Area.
       (2) Membership.--The Advisory Committee shall be composed 
     of members appointed by the Secretary, from among--
       (A) representatives of local government;
       (B) forest ecologists;
       (C) experts in dispersed recreation;
       (D) local residents who own or reside in property located 
     not more than 2 miles from the boundary of the National 
     Recreation Area;
       (E) representatives of conservation and outdoor recreation 
     groups;
       (F) consulting foresters;
       (G) the Director of the State Department of Natural 
     Resources (or designees);
       (H) wildlife experts; and
       (I) designees from the Corps of Engineers.
       (e) Management Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 5 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a 
     comprehensive management plan for the long-term protection 
     and management of the National Recreation Area.
       (2) Requirements.--The Management Plan shall--
       (A) be developed--
       (i) in consultation with the Advisory Committee;
       (ii) after providing an opportunity for public comment; and
       (iii) after engaging with interested or affected federally 
     recognized Indian Tribes, other Federal agencies, and State 
     and local governments, including the State Department of 
     Natural Resources;
       (B) address management issues associated with the National 
     Recreation Area, including--
       (i) fires;
       (ii) invasive species;
       (iii) the response to insect and disease infestations;
       (iv) measures needed to protect the public water supply 
     provided by Monroe Reservoir;
       (v) the establishment, maintenance, and closure of camp 
     sites, campgrounds, trails, and roadways; and
       (vi) any other issues identified by the Advisory Committee; 
     and
       (C) include--
       (i) measures to preserve and protect native and historical 
     resources, flora, fauna, and recreational, scenic, and 
     aesthetic values within the National Recreation Area; and
       (ii) measures to prevent degradation of the public water 
     supply provided by Monroe Reservoir.
       (f) Funding.--
       (1) No additional funds.--No additional funds are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section.
       (2) Use of existing funds.--This section shall be carried 
     out using amounts otherwise made available to the Secretary.
       (g) Effect.--Nothing in this section--
       (1) affects the Corps of Engineers use permits for flowage 
     rights within the National Recreation Area and Wilderness 
     established by the order entitled ``Joint Order Interchanging 
     Administrative Jurisdiction of Department of the Army Lands 
     and National Forest Lands'' (35 Fed. Reg. 10382 (June 25, 
     1970));
       (2) prevents the Corps of Engineers from carrying out the 
     water control management plan of the Corps of Engineers 
     within the National Recreation Area and Wilderness as 
     described in the Corps of Engineers water control manual;
       (3) prevents the Corps of Engineers from--
       (A) disposing of, or otherwise managing, real estate 
     interests held by the Corps of Engineers as of the date of 
     enactment of this Act; or

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       (B) acquiring additional real estate interests required to 
     support the operation or maintenance of Monroe Lake;
       (4) affects the use of motor vessels (as defined in section 
     2101 of title 46, United States Code) on Monroe Lake;
       (5) results in the closure of any State or county roadway 
     in the National Recreation Area and the nonwilderness 
     corridors;
       (6) precludes the ownership, use, or enjoyment of private 
     land within the National Recreation Area and Wilderness;
       (7) otherwise affects access to private land or cemeteries 
     within the National Recreation Area and Wilderness;
       (8) affects the access to land within the nonwilderness 
     corridors and within 100 feet of the outer boundary of the 
     Wilderness addition by any State or private entity or 
     organization with a permit, special use authorization, or 
     other right to access land within the Wilderness addition, as 
     described in section 5(a) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1134(a)), for the purpose of maintaining infrastructure 
     located within the Wilderness addition, including access by--
       (A) the Smithville Telephone Company;
       (B) Jackson County Water Utility;
       (C) Jackson County Rural Electric;
       (D) the ANR Pipeline Company;
       (E) the Monroe County commissioners;
       (F) Hoosier Trails Council, BSA; and
       (G) the State Department of Natural Resources; or
       (9) affects the access to land within the Wilderness 
     addition by the State Department of Natural Resources or 
     appropriate public safety officers with the use of motor 
     vehicles, mechanized equipment, or motorboats for emergencies 
     involving the health and safety of persons within the 
     Wilderness addition, in accordance with section 4(c) of the 
     Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(c)).
                                 ______