[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15516-15529]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         CENTRAL IDAHO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATION ACT

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 3603) to promote the economic development and 
recreational use of National Forest System lands and other public lands 
in central Idaho, to designate the Boulder-White Cloud Management Area 
to ensure the continued management of certain National Forest System 
lands and Bureau of Land Management lands for recreational and grazing 
use and conservation and resource protection, to add certain National 
Forest System lands and Bureau of Land Management lands in central 
Idaho to the National Wilderness Preservation System, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3603

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Central 
     Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act''.

[[Page 15517]]

       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.

  TITLE I--CENTRAL IDAHO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATION PROMOTION

Sec. 101. Land conveyance, designated Sawtooth National Recreation Area 
              land to Custer County, Idaho.
Sec. 102. Land conveyance, designated Sawtooth National Forest and BLM 
              land to Blaine County, Idaho.
Sec. 103. Land conveyance, designated National Forest System land to 
              City of Stanley, Idaho.
Sec. 104. Land conveyance, designated BLM land to City of Clayton, 
              Idaho.
Sec. 105. Land conveyance, designated BLM land to City of Mackay, 
              Idaho.
Sec. 106. Land conveyance, designated BLM land to City of Challis, 
              Idaho.
Sec. 107. Land conveyance authority, support for motorized and bicycle 
              recreation, public land in central Idaho.
Sec. 108. Treatment of existing roads and trails.
Sec. 109. Stanley-Redfish Lake bike and snowmobile trail and related 
              parking lot.
Sec. 110. Support for other trail construction and maintenance 
              activities.
Sec. 111. Support for outfitter and guide activities.
Sec. 112. Grants to support sustainable economic development and 
              recreation.
Sec. 113. Continuation of public access to Bowery National Forest Guard 
              Station.
Sec. 114. Expansion and improvement of Herd Lake Campground.
Sec. 115. Land exchange to eliminate State of Idaho inholdings in 
              Sawtooth National Recreation Area and new wilderness 
              areas.

                TITLE II--CENTRAL IDAHO WILDERNESS AREAS

Sec. 201. Additions to National Wilderness Preservation System.
Sec. 202. General administration of wilderness areas.
Sec. 203. Acquisition of mineral interests and lands from willing 
              sellers.
Sec. 204. Adjacent management.
Sec. 205. Wildfire management.
Sec. 206. Water rights.
Sec. 207. Wildlife management.
Sec. 208. Native American cultural and religious uses.
Sec. 209. Military overflights.
Sec. 210. Wilderness review.

            TITLE III--BOULDER-WHITE CLOUDS MANAGEMENT AREA

Sec. 301. Establishment of management area.
Sec. 302. Land acquisition and acquisition of unpatented mining claims 
              in management area.
Sec. 303. Motorized and bicycle travel.
Sec. 304. Support and use of Idaho Off Road Motor Vehicle Program.
Sec. 305. Airports and landing strips.
Sec. 306. Management of Railroad Ridge area, Sawtooth National Forest.

  TITLE I--CENTRAL IDAHO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATION PROMOTION

     SEC. 101. LAND CONVEYANCE, DESIGNATED SAWTOOTH NATIONAL 
                   RECREATION AREA LAND TO CUSTER COUNTY, IDAHO.

       (a) Conveyance Required.--Subject to the deed restrictions 
     required by subsection (b), the Secretary of Agriculture, 
     acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall convey, 
     without consideration, to Custer County, Idaho (in this 
     section referred to as the ``County''), all right, title, and 
     interest of the United States in and to certain Federal land 
     in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area consisting of a 
     total of approximately 86 acres, including a road 
     encompassing approximately 15 acres, adjoining the northern 
     boundary of the City of Stanley, Idaho, and identified as 
     Parcel B on the map entitled ``Custer County Conveyance--
     STANLEY'' and dated July 24, 2006.
       (b) Use of Conveyed Land.--In making the conveyance under 
     subsection (a) to the County, the Secretary shall include the 
     following deed restrictions relating to the use of the 
     conveyed land to ensure that such use is consistent with the 
     planning process of the County and management of the Sawtooth 
     National Recreation Area:
       (1) Limitation on number of home sites.--Not more than 10 
     home sites may be developed on the conveyed land, and houses 
     and outbuildings constructed on the home sites may not be 
     visible from Highways 75 and 21.
       (2) Limitations regarding house construction.--Not more 
     than one single-family house may be constructed on each home 
     site, and each house shall be subject to the following 
     requirements:
       (A) Use.--Residential.
       (B) Size.--Not more than 3,500 square feet gross floor 
     space, including attached garage, but excluding basements, 
     decks, and porches. No more than 26 feet in height from 
     natural ground level, excluding any chimney.
       (C) Design.--Western ranch-style, having rectangular or 
     square sections with no more than three ridgelines, excluding 
     dormers.
       (D) Windows.--Rectangular or square, divided light, and no 
     more than 24 square feet in size. Windows shall not exceed 30 
     percent of the area of any wall.
       (E) Structural siding.--Log, log-sided, rough-sawn lumber, 
     board and batten, or suitable wood substitutes, which shall 
     be harmoniously colored or have a natural wood finish.
       (F) Roof.--Wood, composite, or non-reflective metal in 
     muted earth tones of brown.
       (3) Limitations regarding outbuildings.--Not more than two 
     outbuildings may be constructed on each home site, and such 
     outbuildings shall be subject to the following requirements:
       (A) Use.--A outbuilding may not include kitchen or sleeping 
     facilities or otherwise be equipped for residential purposes.
       (B) Size.--No more than 850 square feet gross floor space 
     in the aggregate. Single story, no more than 26 feet from 
     natural ground level.
       (C) Design.--Western ranch-style comprised of rectangular 
     or square sections with no more than one ridgeline.
       (D) Windows.--Rectangular or square, divided light of no 
     more than 24 square feet.
       (E) Structural siding.--Log, log-sided, rough-sawn lumber, 
     board and batten, or suitable wood substitutes, which shall 
     be harmoniously colored or have a natural wood finish.
       (F) Roof.--Wood, composite, or non-reflective metal in 
     muted earth tones of brown.
       (4) Limitations regarding satellite dish.--Each home site 
     may contain not more than one satellite dish, not to exceed 
     24 inches in diameter, which shall be located as 
     unobtrusively as best available technology allows.
       (5) Limitations regarding exterior lighting.--Each home 
     site may contain not than two exterior lighting sources, 
     which shall be shielded downwards and may not exceed 150 
     watts each. Neither light source may be flashing.
       (6) Limitations regarding landscaping.--The landscaping for 
     each home site shall be compatible with the open setting of 
     the home site and incorporate materials, groundcover, shrubs, 
     and trees that are indigenous to the area. Areas exposed due 
     to excavation shall be rehabilitated to pre-excavation 
     conditions within two years following completion of 
     construction.
       (7) Limitations regarding roads and driveways.--Any road or 
     driveway for a home site may not exceed 14 feet in width.
       (8) Limitations regarding fencing.--Fences on a home site 
     shall be in the log worm, log block, or jack style and shall 
     incorporate wildlife-friendly elements.
       (9) Limitations regarding utilities.--All new utilities 
     serving a home site shall be located underground.
       (c) Prohibitions.--
       (1) Subdivision.--Except as expressly authorized in 
     subsection (b) regarding the land conveyed under subsection 
     (a), the conveyed land may not be divided, subdivided or 
     defacto subdivided through sales, long-term leases, or other 
     means.
       (2) Prohibited uses.--The land conveyed under subsection 
     (a) may not be used for any of the following purposes:
       (A) Commercial, manufacturing, industrial, mining, or 
     drilling operations, except that small in-home businesses, 
     such as professional services, may be allowed.
       (B) Exploration, development, or extraction of minerals.
       (C) Dumping or accumulation of trash, debris, junk cars, 
     unserviceable equipment, or other unsightly materials.
       (D) Placement of residential trailers, mobile homes, 
     manufactured homes, modular buildings, or other such semi-
     permanent structures.
       (E) Placement of towers, antennae, or satellite dishes that 
     are not concealed from public view, except to the extent that 
     the right is expressly granted in subsection (b)(4).
       (F) Placement of signs, billboards, or other advertising 
     devices, other than one property identification sign and one 
     for sale or rental sign, not to exceed two square feet in 
     area, and such signs shall be harmonious in design and color 
     with the surroundings.
       (G) Disposal or unlawful storage of hazardous substances, 
     as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
     Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et 
     seq.).
       (d) Survey and Legal Description.--The exact acreage and 
     legal description of the land to be conveyed under subsection 
     (a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the 
     Secretary. The cost of the survey shall be borne by the 
     Secretary. The legal description shall be prepared as soon as 
     practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (e) Approval and Access Requirements.--Any improvement to 
     be made to a home site developed on the land conveyed under 
     subsection (a) shall be subject to the approval in writing, 
     and in advance of being made, by

[[Page 15518]]

     the appropriate County officials. Representatives of the 
     County may enter the home sites at reasonable times to 
     monitor compliance with the deed restrictions imposed by 
     subsection (b).
       (f) Enforcement.--As a condition on the conveyance under 
     subsection (a), the County shall agree to enforce the deed 
     restrictions imposed by subsections (b) and (c).
       (g) Reversionary Interest.--If the Secretary determines at 
     any time that a home site developed on the land conveyed 
     under subsection (a) is not in compliance with the deed 
     restrictions imposed by subsection (b) or (c), all right, 
     title, and interest in and to the home site, including any 
     improvements thereon, shall revert to the United States, and 
     the United States shall have the right of immediate entry 
     onto the property. Any determination of the Secretary under 
     this subsection shall be made on the record after an 
     opportunity for a hearing, and the Secretary shall give the 
     landowner a reasonable opportunity to restore the home site 
     to compliance with the deed restrictions.
       (h) Road Access.--In making the conveyance under subsection 
     (a) to the County, the Secretary shall include a deed 
     restriction requiring that the road referred to in such 
     subsection shall remain open to the public to provide access 
     to adjacent Federal land and private property.
       (i) Additional Term and Conditions.--The Secretary may 
     require such additional terms and conditions in connection 
     with the conveyance under subsection (a) as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
     States.

     SEC. 102. LAND CONVEYANCE, DESIGNATED SAWTOOTH NATIONAL 
                   FOREST AND BLM LAND TO BLAINE COUNTY, IDAHO.

       (a) Conveyance Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture, 
     acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, and the 
     Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the 
     Bureau of Land Management, shall convey, without 
     consideration, to Blaine County, Idaho (in this section 
     referred to as the ``County''), all right, title, and 
     interest of the United States in and to the parcels of 
     Federal land in the Sawtooth National Forest and Bureau of 
     Land Management land identified for conveyance under this 
     section on the map entitled ``Blaine County Conveyance'' and 
     dated July 24, 2006.
       (b) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the 
     land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined 
     by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary. The cost of the 
     survey shall be borne by the Secretary.
       (c) Additional Term and Conditions.--The Secretary may 
     require such additional terms and conditions in connection 
     with the conveyance under subsection (a) as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
     States.

     SEC. 103. LAND CONVEYANCE, DESIGNATED NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM 
                   LAND TO CITY OF STANLEY, IDAHO.

       (a) Conveyance Required.--Subject to the deed restrictions 
     required by subsection (b), the Secretary of Agriculture, 
     acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall convey 
     to the City of Stanley, Idaho (in this section referred to as 
     the ``City''), all right, title, and interest of the United 
     States in and to National Forest System land consisting of 
     two parcels containing a total of approximately 8 acres 
     adjoining the western boundary of the City and a total of 
     approximately 68 acres, including roads and improvements, 
     adjoining the northeastern boundary of the City, 
     respectively, and identified as Parcels A and C on the map 
     entitled ``STANLEY CONVEYANCE'' and dated July 24, 2006.
       (b) Use of Parcel A Land.--In making the conveyance under 
     subsection (a) to the City of the land identified as Parcel A 
     on the map referred to in such subsection, the Secretary 
     shall include the following deed restrictions relating to the 
     use of the conveyed land to ensure that such use is 
     consistent with the planning process of the City and Custer 
     County, Idaho, and management of adjacent National Forest 
     System land:
       (1) Limitation on number of home sites.--Not more than 4 
     home sites may be developed on Parcel A.
       (2) Limitations regarding house construction.--Not more 
     than one single-family house may be constructed on each home 
     site, and each house shall be subject to the following 
     requirements:
       (A) Use.--Residential.
       (B) Size.--Not more than 3,000 square feet gross floor 
     space, including attached garage, but excluding basements, 
     decks, and porches. Single story, no more than 22 feet in 
     height from natural ground level, excluding any chimney.
       (C) Design.--Western ranch-style, having rectangular or 
     square sections with no more than two ridgelines, excluding 
     dormers.
       (D) Windows.--Rectangular or square, divided light, and no 
     more than 24 square feet in size. Windows with exterior walls 
     visible from Highway 21 shall not exceed 30 percent of the 
     area of the wall.
       (E) Structural siding.--Log, log-sided, rough-sawn lumber, 
     board and batten, or suitable wood substitutes, which shall 
     be harmoniously colored or have a natural wood finish.
       (F) Roof.--Wood, composite, or non-reflective metal in 
     muted earth tones of brown.
       (3) Limitations regarding outbuildings.--Not more than one 
     outbuilding may be constructed on each home site, and the 
     outbuilding shall be subject to the following requirements:
       (A) Use.--A outbuilding may not include kitchen or sleeping 
     facilities or otherwise be equipped for residential purposes.
       (B) Size.--No more than 600 square feet gross floor space 
     in the aggregate. Single story, no more than 22 feet from 
     natural ground level.
       (C) Design.--Western ranch-style comprised of rectangular 
     or square sections with no more than one ridgeline.
       (D) Windows.--Rectangular or square, divided light of no 
     more than 24 square feet.
       (E) Structural siding.--Log, log-sided, rough-sawn lumber, 
     board and batten, or suitable wood substitutes, which shall 
     be harmoniously colored or have a natural wood finish.
       (F) Roof.--Wood, composite, or non-reflective metal in 
     muted earth tones of brown.
       (4) Limitations regarding satellite dish.--Each home site 
     may contain not more than one satellite dish, not to exceed 
     24 inches in diameter, which shall be located as 
     unobtrusively as best available technology allows.
       (5) Limitations regarding exterior lighting.--Each home 
     site may contain not than two exterior lighting sources, 
     which shall be shielded downwards and may not exceed 150 
     watts each. Neither light source may be flashing.
       (6) Limitations regarding landscaping.--The landscaping for 
     each home site shall be compatible with the open setting of 
     the home site and incorporate materials, groundcover, shrubs, 
     and trees that are indigenous to the area. Areas exposed due 
     to excavation shall be rehabilitated to pre-excavation 
     conditions within two years following completion of 
     construction.
       (7) Limitations regarding roads and driveways.--Any road or 
     driveway for a home site may not exceed 14 feet in width.
       (8) Limitations regarding fencing.--Fences on a home site 
     shall be in the log worm, log block, or jack style and shall 
     incorporate wildlife-friendly elements.
       (9) Limitations regarding utilities.--All new utilities 
     serving a home site shall be located underground.
       (c) Use of Parcel C Land.--In making the conveyance under 
     subsection (a) to the City of the land identified as Parcel C 
     on the map referred to in such subsection, the Secretary 
     shall include the following deed restrictions relating to the 
     use of the conveyed land to ensure that such use is 
     consistent with the planning process of the City and Custer 
     County, Idaho, and management of National Forest System land:
       (1) Authorized uses.--Parcel C may be used--
       (A) to provide housing for persons employed full-time, 
     whether on a year-round basis or seasonally, within the 
     Sawtooth National Recreation Area; and
       (B) for other public purposes, including use as the site 
     for a park, cemetery, community center, or educational 
     facility
       (2) Limitations regarding construction.--Any structure 
     constructed on Parcel C shall be subject to the following 
     requirements:
       (A) Size.--The size of the structure shall be compatible 
     with the building site and type of use.
       (B) Design.--Western ranch-style, having rectangular or 
     square sections with no more than three ridgelines, excluding 
     dormers.
       (C) Height.--The height of any structure shall not exceed 
     30 feet from natural ground level.
       (D) Windows.--Rectangular or square, divided light, and no 
     more than 24 square feet in size. Windows with exterior walls 
     facing Highways 21 or 75 shall not exceed 30 percent of the 
     area of the wall.
       (E) Structural siding.--Log, log-sided, rough-sawn lumber, 
     board and batten, or suitable wood substitutes, which shall 
     be harmoniously colored or have a natural wood finish.
       (F) Roof.--Wood, composite, or non-reflective metal in 
     muted earth tones of brown.
       (3) Limitations regarding satellite dish.--Each structure 
     may contain not more than one satellite dish, not to exceed 
     24 inches in diameter, which shall be located as 
     unobtrusively as best available technology allows.
       (4) Limitations regarding exterior lighting.--Exterior 
     lighting sources shall be shielded downwards and may not be 
     flashing.
       (5) Limitations regarding landscaping.--The landscaping for 
     each structure shall be compatible with an open setting and 
     incorporate materials, groundcover, shrubs, and trees that 
     are indigenous to the area. Areas exposed due to excavation 
     shall be rehabilitated to pre-excavation conditions within 
     two years following completion of construction.
       (6) Limitations regarding roads and driveways.--Any road or 
     driveway for a structure may not exceed 24 feet in width.
       (7) Limitations regarding fencing.--Any fence in Parcel C 
     shall be in the log worm, log block, or jack style and shall 
     incorporate wildlife-friendly elements.
       (8) Limitations regarding utilities.--All new utilities 
     serving Parcel C shall be located underground.

[[Page 15519]]

       (9) Signage.--Only signs identifying a commercial 
     enterprise being conducted on Parcel C may be placed on the 
     parcel. Signs may not exceed 20 square feet in area, and 
     shall be subdued in appearance and harmonizing in design and 
     color with the surroundings. No sign may be flashing.
       (10) Limitations regarding stream setbacks.--To protect the 
     integrity of fish habitat and Valley Creek from the impact of 
     development, a minimum setback of 100 feet from each bank of 
     Valley Creek shall be required for the construction of all 
     houses and other structures on Parcel C.
       (d) Prohibitions.--
       (1) Subdivision.--Except as expressly authorized in 
     subsection (b) or (c) regarding the land conveyed under 
     subsection (a), the conveyed land may not be divided, 
     subdivided or defacto subdivided through sales, long-term 
     leases, or other means.
       (2) Prohibited uses.--The land conveyed under subsection 
     (a) may not be used for any of the following purposes:
       (A) Commercial, manufacturing, industrial, mining, or 
     drilling operations, except that small in-home businesses, 
     such as professional services, may be allowed, and, subject 
     to subsection (c)(1)(B), certain commercial operations may be 
     allowed on the land identified as Parcel C on the map 
     referred to in subsection (a).
       (B) Exploration, development, or extraction of minerals.
       (C) Dumping or accumulation of trash, debris, junk cars, 
     unserviceable equipment, or other unsightly materials.
       (D) Placement of residential trailers, mobile homes, 
     manufactured homes, modular buildings, or other such semi-
     permanent structures.
       (E) Placement of towers, antennae, or satellite dishes that 
     are not concealed from public view, except to the extent that 
     the right is expressly granted in subsection (b)(4) or 
     (c)(3).
       (F) Placement of signs, billboards, or other advertising 
     devices, except--
       (i) as provided in subsection (c)(9) with regard to the 
     land identified as Parcel C; and
       (ii) one property identification sign and one for sale or 
     rental sign, not to exceed two square feet in area, which 
     shall be harmonious in design and color with the 
     surroundings.
       (G) Disposal or unlawful storage of hazardous substances, 
     as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
     Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et 
     seq.).
       (e) Consideration.--
       (1) Consideration required.--As consideration for the 
     conveyance under subsection (a), the City shall pay to the 
     Secretary an amount equal to the amount originally expended 
     by the United States to acquire the parcel of land identified 
     as Parcel A on the map referred to in such subsection. The 
     City shall provide the consideration not later than one year 
     after the date on which the City disposes of the parcel after 
     obtaining title of the parcel under subsection (a).
       (2) Disposition and use of proceeds.--The amount received 
     as consideration under this subsection shall be--
       (A) deposited and merged with funds appropriated for the 
     operation of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area in order 
     to supplement such appropriations; and
       (B) available to the Secretary, without further 
     appropriation and until expended, for conservation activities 
     in the recreation area.
       (f) Survey and Legal Description.--The exact acreage and 
     legal description of the land to be conveyed under subsection 
     (a) shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the 
     Secretary. The cost of the survey shall be borne by the 
     Secretary. The legal description shall be prepared as soon as 
     practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (g) Approval and Access Requirements.--
       (1) General requirements.--Any improvement to be made to 
     land conveyed under subsection (a) shall be subject to the 
     approval in writing, and in advance of being made, by the 
     appropriate City officials. Representatives of the City may 
     enter the land at reasonable times to monitor compliance with 
     the deed restrictions imposed by subsection (b), (c), or (d).
       (2) Preparation and approval of development plan for parcel 
     c.--The land identified as Parcel C on the map referred to in 
     subsection (a) and conveyed to the City under such subsection 
     shall not be developed until such time as a development plan 
     consistent with subsections (c) and (d) is reviewed and 
     approved by a special commission consisting of at least one 
     elected official representing Custer County, one elected 
     official representing the City, and three individuals who are 
     not employed by or officials of the County or City and reside 
     within the boundaries of the Sawtooth National Recreation 
     Area. The non-governmental representatives shall be selected 
     jointly by the elected officials on the commission.
       (h) Enforcement.--As a condition on the conveyance under 
     subsection (a), the City shall agree to enforce the deed 
     restrictions imposed by subsections (b), (c), and (d).
       (i) Reversionary Interest.--If the Secretary determines at 
     any time that any portion of the land conveyed under 
     subsection (a) is not being used in compliance with the deed 
     restrictions applicable to that portion of the land under 
     subsection (b), (c), or (d), all right, title, and interest 
     in and to that portion of the land, including any 
     improvements thereon, shall revert to the United States, and 
     the United States shall have the right of immediate entry 
     onto the property. Any determination of the Secretary under 
     this subsection shall be made on the record after an 
     opportunity for a hearing, and the Secretary shall give the 
     landowner a reasonable opportunity to restore the property to 
     compliance with the deed restrictions.
       (j) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the 
     land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined 
     by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary. The cost of the 
     survey shall be borne by the Secretary.
       (k) Road Access.--In making the conveyance under subsection 
     (a) to the City, the Secretary shall include a deed 
     restriction requiring that the roads referred to in such 
     subsection shall remain open to the public to provide access 
     to adjacent Federal land and private property.
       (l) Additional Term and Conditions.--The Secretary may 
     require such additional terms and conditions in connection 
     with the conveyance under subsection (a) as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
     States.

     SEC. 104. LAND CONVEYANCE, DESIGNATED BLM LAND TO CITY OF 
                   CLAYTON, IDAHO.

       (a) Conveyance Required.--The Secretary of the Interior, 
     acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, 
     shall convey, without consideration, to the City of Clayton, 
     Idaho (in this section referred to as the ``City''), all 
     right, title, and interest of the United States in and to a 
     parcel of Bureau of Land Management land, including roads 
     thereon, identified for conveyance under this section on the 
     map entitled ``City of Clayton Conveyance'' and dated July 
     24, 2006.
       (b) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the 
     land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined 
     by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary. The cost of the 
     survey shall be borne by the Secretary.
       (c) Road Access.--In making the conveyance under subsection 
     (a) to the City, the Secretary shall include a deed 
     restriction requiring that the roads referred to in such 
     subsection shall remain open to the public to provide access 
     to adjacent Federal land and private property.
       (d) Additional Term and Conditions.--The Secretary may 
     require such additional terms and conditions in connection 
     with the conveyance under subsection (a) as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
     States.

     SEC. 105. LAND CONVEYANCE, DESIGNATED BLM LAND TO CITY OF 
                   MACKAY, IDAHO.

       (a) Conveyance Required.--The Secretary of the Interior, 
     acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, 
     shall convey, without consideration, to the City of Mackay, 
     Idaho (in this section referred to as the ``City''), all 
     right, title, and interest of the United States in and to a 
     parcel of Bureau of Land Management land, including roads 
     thereon, identified for conveyance under this section on the 
     map entitled ``City of Mackay Conveyance'' and dated July 24, 
     2006.
       (b) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the 
     land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined 
     by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary. The cost of the 
     survey shall be borne by the Secretary.
       (c) Road Access.--In making the conveyance under subsection 
     (a) to the City, the Secretary shall include a deed 
     restriction requiring that the roads referred to in such 
     subsection shall remain open to the public to provide access 
     to adjacent Federal land and private property.
       (d) Additional Term and Conditions.--The Secretary may 
     require such additional terms and conditions in connection 
     with the conveyance under subsection (a) as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
     States.

     SEC. 106. LAND CONVEYANCE, DESIGNATED BLM LAND TO CITY OF 
                   CHALLIS, IDAHO.

       (a) Conveyance Required.--The Secretary of the Interior, 
     acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, 
     shall convey, without consideration, to the City of Challis, 
     Idaho (in this section referred to as the ``City''), all 
     right, title, and interest of the United States in and to a 
     parcel of Bureau of Land Management land, including roads 
     thereon, identified for conveyance under this section on the 
     map entitled ``City of Challis Conveyance'' and dated July 
     24, 2006.
       (b) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the 
     land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined 
     by a survey satisfactory to the Secretary. The cost of the 
     survey shall be borne by the Secretary.
       (c) Road Access.--In making the conveyance under subsection 
     (a) to the City, the Secretary shall include a deed 
     restriction requiring that the roads referred to in such 
     subsection shall remain open to the public to provide access 
     to adjacent Federal land and private property.
       (d) Additional Term and Conditions.--The Secretary may 
     require such additional terms

[[Page 15520]]

     and conditions in connection with the conveyance under 
     subsection (a) as the Secretary considers appropriate to 
     protect the interests of the United States.

     SEC. 107. LAND CONVEYANCE AUTHORITY, SUPPORT FOR MOTORIZED 
                   AND BICYCLE RECREATION, PUBLIC LAND IN CENTRAL 
                   IDAHO.

       (a) Motorized Recreation Park.--Subject to subsection (b), 
     the Secretary of the Interior shall convey, without 
     consideration, to the State of Idaho (in this section 
     referred to as the ``State'') all right, title, and interest 
     of the United States in and to a parcel or parcels of Bureau 
     of Land Management land, including roads thereon, consisting 
     of approximately 960 acres near Boise, Idaho, and identified 
     for conveyance under this section on the map entitled ``STATE 
     OF IDAHO--Boise Motorized Park Conveyance'' and dated October 
     1, 2006, for the purpose of permitting the State to establish 
     a motorized recreation park on the land. As a condition of 
     the conveyance of the land, the State shall agree to include 
     a beginner track as part of the recreation park to be used to 
     teach safe, responsible riding techniques and to establish 
     areas for drivers with different levels of skills.
       (b) Reservation of Portion for Bicycle Use.--As a condition 
     of the conveyance of the land under subsection (a), the State 
     shall reserve 20 acres of the conveyed land for the use of 
     mountain bikes and open the reserved portion to such use as 
     soon as practicable after the date of the conveyance. Funds 
     appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations 
     in section 109(d)(1)(A) shall be available to facilitate the 
     establishment of the bicycle portion of the recreation park.
       (c) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the 
     land to be conveyed under this section shall be determined by 
     a survey satisfactory to the Secretary. The cost of the 
     survey shall be borne by the State.
       (d) Road Access.--In making a conveyance under subsection 
     (a) to the State, the Secretary shall include a deed 
     restriction requiring that the roads referred to in such 
     subsection shall remain open to the public to provide access 
     to adjacent Federal land and private property.
       (e) Additional Term and Conditions.--The Secretary 
     concerned may require such additional terms and conditions in 
     connection with the conveyance under this section as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate to protect the interests of 
     the United States.

     SEC. 108. TREATMENT OF EXISTING ROADS AND TRAILS.

       In making the conveyances required by this title, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior 
     shall include deed restrictions to ensure that any roads and 
     trails located on the conveyed land remain open to public use 
     notwithstanding any subsequent conveyance of the land by the 
     recipient of the land.

     SEC. 109. STANLEY-REDFISH LAKE BIKE AND SNOWMOBILE TRAIL AND 
                   RELATED PARKING LOT.

       (a) Development of Trail.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     shall design, construct, and maintain a hardened surface 
     trail between the City of Stanley, Idaho, and Redfish Lake 
     that is designated for use--
       (1) by pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles generally; 
     and
       (2) as a snowmobile route when there is adequate snow 
     cover.
       (b) Acquisition From Willing Sellers.--Any land or 
     interests in land to be acquired by the Secretary for 
     construction of the paved trail required by subsection (a) 
     shall be acquired only by donation or by purchase from 
     willing sellers.
       (c) Assistance for Construction of Parking Lot.--The 
     Secretary may make a grant to the City of Stanley, Idaho, to 
     assist the City in constructing a parking lot on City 
     property at the north end of the trail required by subsection 
     (a) for use for snowmobile and general parking and for other 
     purposes related to the trail.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary--
       (A) $400,000 for the design, construction, and maintenance 
     of the trail required by subsection (a) and for land 
     acquisition associated with the construction of the trail; 
     and
       (B) $100,000 for the grant under subsection (c).
       (2) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the 
     authorization of appropriations contained in paragraph (1) 
     shall remain available until expended.

     SEC. 110. SUPPORT FOR OTHER TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AND 
                   MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES.

       There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior $50,000 for the 
     construction and maintenance of bicycle trails in the State 
     of Idaho. Amounts appropriated pursuant to this authorization 
     of appropriations shall remain available until expended.

     SEC. 111. SUPPORT FOR OUTFITTER AND GUIDE ACTIVITIES.

       (a) Existing Operating Permits.--
       (1) Extension.--Before the end of the one-year period 
     beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior 
     shall grant, for each guide or outfitter operating permit 
     described in paragraph (2), a 10-year extension beyond the 
     expiration date of the current permit. The Secretary 
     concerned may require the modification of the extended permit 
     as necessary to comply with the requirements of this Act.
       (2) Covered permits.--Paragraph (1) applies to each guide 
     and outfitter operating permit in effect as of the date of 
     the enactment of this Act that authorized activities on lands 
     included in a wilderness area designated by title II or the 
     Boulder-White Cloud Management Area established by title III.
       (3) Exception.--The Secretary of Agriculture or the 
     Secretary of the Interior may refuse to grant the extension 
     of a permit under paragraph (1) only if the Secretary 
     concerned determines that the permittee has not operated in a 
     satisfactory manner in compliance with the terms and 
     conditions of the permit.
       (b) Future Outfitter and Guide Activities.--Future 
     extensions of outfitter and guide activities and permits for 
     outfitters on lands included in a wilderness area designated 
     by title II or the Boulder-White Cloud Management Area 
     established by title III shall be administered in accordance 
     with applicable Federal laws and resource management plans. 
     No person shall conduct outfitter and guide activities on 
     such Federal land except as authorized by the Secretary 
     concerned.

     SEC. 112. GRANTS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
                   AND RECREATION.

       (a) Grant to Custer County, Idaho.--The Secretary of 
     Agriculture may make a grant to Custer County, Idaho, for the 
     purpose of assisting the County in supporting sustainable 
     economic development in the County.
       (b) Grant to State of Idaho.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
     may make a grant to the State of Idaho Parks and Recreation 
     Department for the purpose of assisting the State in 
     acquiring and developing Bayhorse Campground for use as a 
     State park.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture--
       (1) $5,100,000 to make the grant under subsection (a); and
       (2) $500,000 to make the grant under subsection (b).

     SEC. 113. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC ACCESS TO BOWERY NATIONAL 
                   FOREST GUARD STATION.

       (a) Construction of Road and Bridge.--To ensure continued 
     public access to the Bowery Guard Station, the Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall construct a new road on National Forest 
     System lands, to the east of the existing private property 
     line on the east side of the Leisinger property, and a new 
     bridge over West Pass Creek as part of such road.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be 
     necessary to carry out this section. Amounts appropriated 
     pursuant to this authorization of appropriations shall remain 
     available until expended.

     SEC. 114. EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF HERD LAKE CAMPGROUND.

       (a) Expansion and Improvement of Campground.--The Secretary 
     of the Interior shall expand and improve the Herd Lake 
     Campground facilities located below the outlet of Herd Lake.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary $500,000 to carry out 
     this section. Amounts appropriated pursuant to this 
     authorization of appropriations shall remain available until 
     expended.

     SEC. 115. LAND EXCHANGE TO ELIMINATE STATE OF IDAHO 
                   INHOLDINGS IN SAWTOOTH NATIONAL RECREATION AREA 
                   AND NEW WILDERNESS AREAS.

       (a) Exchanges Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture and 
     the Secretary of the Interior may execute one or more land 
     exchanges with the State of Idaho for the purpose of 
     eliminating State inholdings within the boundaries of the 
     Sawtooth National Recreation Area and the wilderness areas 
     designated by title II. The Federal land available for use to 
     carry out an exchange under this section and the State 
     inholdings to be acquired are depicted on the map entitled 
     ``SNRA State of Idaho Land Transfer'' and dated October 1, 
     2006.
       (b) Exchange Process.--The land exchanges authorized by 
     this section shall be carried out in the manner provided in 
     section 206 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
     1976 (43 U.S.C. 1716).

                TITLE II--CENTRAL IDAHO WILDERNESS AREAS

     SEC. 201. ADDITIONS TO NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION 
                   SYSTEM.

       (a) Additions.--Congress has determined that the following 
     lands in central Idaho shall be designated as wilderness and 
     managed as components of the National Wilderness Preservation 
     System:
       (1) Hemingway-boulders wilderness.--Certain Federal land in 
     the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests, comprising 
     approximately 105,000 acres, as generally depicted on the map 
     entitled ``Hemingway-Boulders'' and dated July 24, 2006, 
     which shall be known as the ``Hemingway-Boulders 
     Wilderness''.
       (2) White clouds wilderness.--Certain Federal land in the 
     Sawtooth and Challis National Forests, comprising 
     approximately

[[Page 15521]]

     73,100 acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
     ``White Clouds'' and dated July 24, 2006, which shall be 
     known as the ``White Clouds Wilderness''.
       (3) Jerry peak wilderness.--Certain Federal land in the 
     Challis National Forest and Challis District of the Bureau of 
     Land Management, comprising approximately 131,700 acres, as 
     generally depicted on the map entitled ``Jerry Peak 
     Wilderness'' and dated July 24, 2006, which shall be known as 
     the ``Jerry Peak Wilderness''. In the case of the Bureau of 
     Land Management land designated as wilderness by this 
     paragraph, the land is included in the National Landscape 
     Conservation System.
       (b) Maps and Legal Description.--
       (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, in the 
     case of the wilderness areas designated by paragraphs (1) and 
     (2) of subsection (a) and the National Forest System land 
     designated as wilderness by paragraph (3) of such subsection, 
     and the Secretary of the Interior, in the case of the Bureau 
     of Land Management land designated as wilderness by paragraph 
     (3) of such subsection, in this title referred to as the 
     ``Secretary concerned'', shall file a map and legal 
     description of the wilderness areas designated by such 
     subsection with the Committee on Resources of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate.
       (2) Effect.--Each map and legal description shall have the 
     same force and effect as if included in this title, except 
     that the Secretary concerned may correct clerical and 
     typographical errors in the map or legal description.
       (3) Availability.--Each map and legal description shall be 
     on file and available for public inspection in the 
     appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management or the 
     Forest Service.
       (c) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the 
     wilderness areas designated in subsection (a) are withdrawn 
     from all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under 
     the public land laws, location, entry, and patent under the 
     mining laws, and operation of the mineral leasing, mineral 
     materials, and geothermal leasing laws.

     SEC. 202. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS.

       (a) Application of Wilderness Act.--Subject to valid 
     existing rights, the wilderness areas designated by section 
     201 shall be managed by the Secretary concerned in accordance 
     with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and this 
     title. With respect to the wilderness areas, any reference in 
     the Wilderness Act to the effective date of the Wilderness 
     Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, and any reference in the Wilderness 
     Act to the Secretary of Agriculture shall be deemed to be a 
     reference to the Secretary concerned.
       (b) Consistent Interpretation to the Public.--Although the 
     wilderness areas designated by section 201 consist of 
     National Forest System land under the jurisdiction of the 
     Secretary of Agriculture and public land under the 
     jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary 
     of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior shall 
     collaborate to assure that the wilderness areas are 
     interpreted to the public as an overall complex tied together 
     by common location in the Boulder-White Cloud Mountains and 
     common identity with the natural and cultural history of the 
     State of Idaho and its Native American and pioneer heritage.
       (c) Comprehensive Wilderness Management Plan.--Not later 
     than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior 
     shall collaborate to develop a comprehensive wilderness 
     management plan for the wilderness areas designated by 
     section 201. The completed management plan shall be submitted 
     to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives 
     and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     Senate.
       (d) Fire, Insects, and Diseases.--Within the wilderness 
     area designated by section 201, the Secretary concerned may 
     take such measures as the Secretary concerned determines to 
     be necessary for the control of fire, insects, and diseases, 
     subject to such conditions as the Secretary concerned 
     considers desirable, as provided in section 4(d)(1) of the 
     Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131(d)(1)).
       (e) Wilderness Trails and Trailheads.--
       (1) Construction of new trailhead.--The Secretary concerned 
     shall construct a new trailhead for nonmotorized users and 
     improve access to the Big Boulder Trailhead to separate 
     motorized users from nonmotorized users.
       (2) Inclusion of accessible trail.--The Secretary concerned 
     shall upgrade the first mile of the Murdock Creek Trail in 
     the Hemingway-Boulders wilderness area designated by section 
     201 to a primitive, non-paved, and wheelchair accessible 
     standard.
       (f) Treatment of Existing Claims and Private Lands.--
     Nothing in this title is intended to affect the rights or 
     interests in real property, patented mining claims, or valid 
     claims or prevent reasonable access to private property or 
     for the development and use of valid mineral rights. The 
     Secretary concerned may enter into negotiations with the 
     holder of a patented claim or valid claim located in a 
     wilderness area designated by section 201 for the voluntary 
     relinquishment of the claim.
       (g) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in a wilderness area 
     designated by section 201, where established before the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, shall be administered in 
     accordance with the provisions of section 4(d)(4) of the 
     Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4)), section 108 of Public 
     Law 96-560, and section 101(f) of Public Law 101-628, and in 
     accordance with the guidelines set forth in Appendix A of 
     House Report 96-617 of the 96th Congress and House Report 
     101-405 of the 101st Congress.
       (h) Commercial Outfitters and Saddle and Pack Stock.--
     Nothing in this title shall preclude horseback riding or the 
     entry of recreational saddle or pack stock into the 
     wilderness areas designated by section 201, including when 
     such entry is made by commercial outfitters.

     SEC. 203. ACQUISITION OF MINERAL INTERESTS AND LANDS FROM 
                   WILLING SELLERS.

       (a) Acquisition.--Within the boundaries of the wilderness 
     areas designated by section 201, the Secretary concerned may 
     acquire, through purchase from willing sellers or donation 
     from willing owners, all right, title, and interest in all 
     mineral interests, claims, and parcels of land that have been 
     patented under the Act of May 10, 1872 (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.; 
     commonly known as the Mining Act of 1872).
       (b) Consideration.--In exercising the authority provided by 
     subsection (a) to acquire lands and interests, the Secretary 
     concerned shall offer the owners of record of each patent, 
     who voluntarily wish to sell, $20,000 as compensation for the 
     acquisition of these interests. The Secretary concerned shall 
     make such offers as soon as practicable after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act and such offers shall remain open for 
     acceptance during the five-year period beginning on such 
     date.
       (c) Incorporation in Wilderness Area.--Any land or interest 
     in land located inside the boundaries of a wilderness area 
     designated by section 201 that is acquired by the United 
     States after the date of the enactment of this Act shall be 
     added to and administered as part of that wilderness area.

     SEC. 204. ADJACENT MANAGEMENT.

       (a) No Protective Perimeters or Buffer Zones.--Congress 
     does not intend for the designation of the wilderness areas 
     by section 201 to lead to the creation of protective 
     perimeters or buffer zones around any such wilderness area.
       (b) Nonwilderness Activities.--The fact that nonwilderness 
     activities or uses outside of a wilderness area designated by 
     section 201 can be seen or heard from inside of the 
     wilderness area shall not preclude the conduct of those 
     activities or uses outside the boundaries of the wilderness 
     area.

     SEC. 205. WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT.

       Consistent with section 4 of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1133), nothing in this title precludes a Federal, State, or 
     local agency from conducting wildfire management operations, 
     including operations using aircraft or mechanized equipment, 
     to manage wildfires in the wilderness areas designated by 
     section 201.

     SEC. 206. WATER RIGHTS.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The lands designated as wilderness areas by section 201 
     are located at the headwaters of the streams and rivers on 
     those lands, with few, if any, actual or proposed water 
     resource facilities located upstream from such lands and few, 
     if any, opportunities for diversion, storage, or other uses 
     of water occurring outside such lands that would adversely 
     affect the wilderness values of such lands.
       (2) The lands designated as wilderness areas by section 201 
     are not suitable for use for development of new water 
     resource facilities or for the expansion of existing 
     facilities.
       (3) Therefore, it is possible to provide for proper 
     management and protection of the wilderness value of the 
     lands designated as wilderness areas by section 201 in ways 
     different from the ways utilized in other laws designating 
     wilderness areas.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to protect the 
     wilderness values of the lands designated as wilderness areas 
     by section 201 by means other than a federally reserved water 
     right.
       (c) Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this title--
       (1) shall constitute, or be construed to constitute, either 
     an express or implied reservation by the United States of any 
     water or water rights with respect to the wilderness areas 
     designated by section 201;
       (2) shall affect any water rights in the State of Idaho 
     existing on the date of the enactment of this Act, including 
     any water rights held by the United States;
       (3) shall be construed as establishing a precedent with 
     regard to any future wilderness designations;
       (4) shall be construed as limiting, altering, modifying, or 
     amending any of the interstate compacts or equitable 
     apportionment decrees that apportion water among and between 
     the State of Idaho and other States; and
       (5) shall be construed as limiting, altering, modifying, or 
     amending provisions of Public

[[Page 15522]]

     Law 92-400, which established the Sawtooth National 
     Recreation Area (16 U.S.C. 460aa et seq.).
       (d) Idaho Water Law.--The Secretary concerned shall follow 
     the procedural and substantive requirements of the law of the 
     State of Idaho when seeking to establish any water rights, 
     not in existence on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
     with respect to the wilderness areas designated by section 
     201.
       (e) New Projects.--
       (1) Prohibition.--Except as otherwise provided in this Act, 
     on and after the date of the enactment of this Act, neither 
     the President nor any other officer, employee, or agent of 
     the United States shall fund, assist, authorize, or issue a 
     license or permit for the development of any new water 
     resource facility inside any of the wilderness areas 
     designated by section 201.
       (2) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``water 
     resource facility'' means irrigation and pumping facilities, 
     reservoirs, water conservation works, aqueducts, canals, 
     ditches, pipelines, wells, hydropower projects, and 
     transmission and other ancillary facilities, and other water 
     diversion, storage, and carriage structures.

     SEC. 207. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.

       (a) State Jurisdiction.--In accordance with section 4(d)(7) 
     of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(7)), nothing in this 
     title affects or diminishes the jurisdiction of the State of 
     Idaho with respect to fish and wildlife management, including 
     the regulation of hunting, fishing, and trapping, in the 
     wilderness areas designated by section 201.
       (b) Management Activities.--In furtherance of the purposes 
     and principles of the Wilderness Act, management activities 
     to maintain or restore fish and wildlife populations and the 
     habitats to support such populations may be carried out 
     within wilderness areas designated by section 201 where 
     consistent with relevant wilderness management plans, in 
     accordance with appropriate policies such as those set forth 
     in Appendix B of House Report 101-405 of the 101st Congress, 
     including the occasional and temporary use of motorized 
     vehicles, if such use, as determined by the Secretary 
     concerned would promote healthy, viable, and more naturally 
     distributed wildlife populations that would enhance 
     wilderness values and accomplish those purposes using the 
     minimum tool necessary to reasonably accomplish the task.
       (c) Use of Aircraft.--Consistent with section 4(d)(1) of 
     the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)) and in accordance with 
     appropriate policies such as those set forth in Appendix B of 
     House Report 101-405 of the 101st Congress, the State of 
     Idaho may continue to use aircraft, including helicopters, to 
     survey, capture, transplant, monitor, and manage elk, deer, 
     bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wolves, grizzly bears, and 
     other wildlife and fish.
       (d) Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping.--Nothing in this title 
     shall affect hunting, fishing, and trapping, under applicable 
     State and Federal laws and regulations, in the wilderness 
     areas designated by section 201. The Secretary concerned may 
     designate, by regulation in consultation with the appropriate 
     State agency (except in emergencies), areas in which, and 
     establish periods during which, for reasons of public safety, 
     administration, or compliance with applicable laws, no 
     hunting, fishing, or trapping will be permitted in the 
     wilderness areas.

     SEC. 208. NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS USES.

       Nothing in this title shall be construed to diminish the 
     rights of any Indian tribe. Nothing in this title shall be 
     construed to diminish tribal rights regarding access to 
     Federal lands for tribal activities, including spiritual, 
     cultural, and traditional food-gathering activities.

     SEC. 209. MILITARY OVERFLIGHTS.

       Nothing in this title restricts or precludes--
       (1) low-level overflights of military aircraft over the 
     wilderness areas designated by section 201, including 
     military overflights that can be seen or heard within the 
     wilderness areas;
       (2) flight testing and evaluation; or
       (3) the designation or creation of new units of special use 
     airspace, or the establishment of military flight training 
     routes, over the wilderness areas.

     SEC. 210. WILDERNESS REVIEW.

       (a) National Forests.--Section 5 of Public Law 92-400 (16 
     U.S.C. 460aa-4), which required a review of the undeveloped 
     and unimproved portion or portions of the Sawtooth National 
     Recreation Area established by that Act as to suitability or 
     nonsuitability for preservation as part of the National 
     Wilderness Preservation System, is repealed.
       (b) Public Lands.--
       (1) Finding.--Congress finds that, for the purpose of 
     section 603 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
     1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782), the public land administered by the 
     Bureau of Land Management in the following areas have been 
     adequately studied for wilderness designation:
       (A) The Jerry Peak Wilderness Study Area.
       (B) The Jerry Peak West Wilderness Study Area.
       (C) The Corral-Horse Basin Wilderness Study Area.
       (D) The Boulder Creek Wilderness Study Area.
       (2) Release.--Any public land described in paragraph (1) 
     that is not designated as wilderness by this title--
       (A) is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal 
     Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)); 
     and
       (B) shall be managed in accordance with land management 
     plans adopted under section 202 of that Act (43 U.S.C. 1712).

            TITLE III--BOULDER-WHITE CLOUDS MANAGEMENT AREA

     SEC. 301. ESTABLISHMENT OF MANAGEMENT AREA.

       (a) Findings and Purposes.--In the case of those Federal 
     lands not designated as wilderness in title II, Congress has 
     examined the management alternatives for such lands and finds 
     that the designation of such lands as a special management 
     area will provide outstanding opportunities for many forms of 
     recreation, including mountain biking, snowmobiling, and the 
     use of off-road motorized vehicles. The purpose of this title 
     is to statutorily provide for the continued management of 
     such lands for motorized and other recreational 
     opportunities, livestock grazing, and conservation and 
     resource protection in accordance with the existing 
     management areas, plans, and applicable authorities of the 
     Challis National Forest, the Sawtooth National Forest, the 
     Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and the Challis District 
     of the Bureau of Land Management. In addition, it is the 
     purpose of this title to provide that motorized use of such 
     lands shall be allowed in accordance with the travel map 
     entitled ``Boulder-White Clouds Management Area Travel Plan'' 
     and dated July 24, 2006.
       (b) Establishment.--
       (1) Establishment.--Those Federal lands in the Challis 
     National Forest, the Sawtooth National Forest, the Sawtooth 
     National Recreation Area, and the Challis District of the 
     Bureau of Land Management that are not designated as 
     wilderness in title II, as generally depicted on the map 
     entitled ``Boulder-White Clouds Management Area'' and dated 
     July 24, 2006, are hereby designated as the Boulder-White 
     Clouds Management Area and shall be managed as provided by 
     this title.
       (2) Relation to sawtooth national recreation area.--The 
     designation of land already in the Sawtooth National 
     Recreation Area for inclusion in both the management area and 
     the Sawtooth National Recreation Area is declared to be 
     supplemental to, not in derogation of, the Sawtooth National 
     Recreation Area.
       (3) Management area defined.--In this title, the term 
     ``management area'' means the Boulder-White Clouds Management 
     Area designated by this subsection.
       (c) Administration.--
       (1) Secretary concerned defined.--In this title, the term 
     ``Secretary concerned'' means--
       (A) the Secretary of Agriculture, in the case of National 
     Forest System lands included in the management area; and
       (B) the Secretary of the Interior, in the case of public 
     lands included in the management area.
       (2) Administration.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     title, the Secretary concerned shall administer the 
     management area in accordance with this title and the laws 
     and regulations generally applicable to the National Forest 
     System lands and the public lands included in administrative 
     areas in existence as of the date of the enactment of this 
     Act and in accordance with the management plans of the 
     Sawtooth National Recreation Area, the Challis National 
     Forest, the Sawtooth National Forest, and the Challis 
     District of the Bureau of Land Management in existence as of 
     that date.
       (3) Relation to sawtooth national recreation area.-- If 
     lands in the management area are also included in the 
     Sawtooth National Recreation Area, the Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall also administer that land in accordance 
     with Public Law 92-400 (16 U.S.C. 460aa et seq.).
       (4) Continued reference to existing administrative units.--
     Notwithstanding the establishment of the management area, the 
     administrative units in effect as of the date of the 
     enactment of this Act and known as the Sawtooth National 
     Recreation Area, the Challis National Forest, the Sawtooth 
     National Forest, and the Challis District of the Bureau of 
     Land Management, including areas within the administrative 
     units established as the management area, shall continue to 
     be known as the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, the 
     Challis National Forest, the Sawtooth National Forest, and 
     the Challis District of the Bureau of Land Management, 
     respectively, and shall be so designated on any signs and 
     maps prepared by the Secretary concerned.
       (d) Development.--No new roads may be constructed within 
     the management area, except as necessary for access to 
     campgrounds and other recreation areas as determined by the 
     Secretary concerned. Roads may be maintained and relocated as 
     necessary. The Secretary concerned shall permit the mining 
     and removal of gravel, sand, and rock along existing roads in 
     the management area as necessary for road maintenance in 
     accordance with the applicable management plan.

[[Page 15523]]

       (e) Timber Harvesting.--Timber harvesting may be allowed on 
     lands in the management area only in accordance with the 
     management plan applicable to the lands and for necessary 
     control of fire, insects, and diseases and for public safety.
       (f) Trails.--
       (1) Construction, maintenance, and improvements.--There is 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture 
     and the Secretary of the Interior $650,000 for trail 
     construction and maintenance and for other improvements 
     related to outfitting, guiding, hiking, and horseback use 
     within the management area. Amounts appropriated pursuant to 
     this authorization of appropriations shall remain available 
     until expended.
       (2) Set-aside for trail construction.--Of the amounts 
     appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations 
     in paragraph (1), $150,000 shall be available for the 
     construction of--
       (A) a trail between the Phyllis Lake Road (USFS Road #053) 
     and Phyllis Lake, which shall be primitive and non-paved, but 
     wheelchair accessible, and open only to non-motorized travel; 
     and
       (B) the primitive and non-paved, but wheelchair accessible, 
     trail along Murdock Creek in the Hemingway-Boulders 
     wilderness area required by section 202(e)(2).

     SEC. 302. LAND ACQUISITION AND ACQUISITION OF UNPATENTED 
                   MINING CLAIMS IN MANAGEMENT AREA.

       (a) Land Acquisition.--The Secretary concerned may acquire, 
     by donation or purchase from willing sellers, lands and 
     interests in lands--
       (1) located inside the boundaries of the management area; 
     or
       (2) located adjacent to the management area to provide 
     easements for additional public access to the management 
     area.
       (b) Acquisition of Unpatented Mining Claims.--
       (1) Acceptance of contributions.--The Secretary concerned 
     shall accept any charitable contribution (as defined in 
     section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) of an 
     interest--
       (A) in an unpatented mining claim located inside the 
     boundaries of the management area; or
       (B) in any partnership, association, company, or 
     corporation substantially all the value of which is 
     attributable to unpatented mining claims located inside the 
     boundaries of the management area.
       (2) Access for valuation purposes.--The Secretary concerned 
     shall permit any donor of an interest described in paragraph 
     (1), or any agent of the donor, to access the unpatented 
     mining claim and conduct sampling and exploration work 
     necessary to determine the fair market value of the claim 
     if--
       (A) the donor notifies the local Federal land manager in 
     writing of the donor's intent to access the unpatented mining 
     claim for such purposes; and
       (B) the Secretary determines that the proposed access, 
     sampling, and exploration work will not cause substantial 
     impairment of the surface resources.
       (3) Valuation method if access denied.--If the Secretary 
     concerned determines that a request for access under 
     paragraph (2) to conduct sampling and exploration work 
     necessary to determine the fair market value of an unpatented 
     mining claim will cause substantial impairment of the surface 
     resources or otherwise fails to permit access within 30 days 
     after receipt of the written request for access under such 
     paragraph, the fair market value of the claim for purposes of 
     determining the amount of the contribution under paragraph 
     (1) shall be based on an appraisal that relies upon 
     noninvasive methods to determine the value.
       (c) Limitation on Use of Condemnation.--No lands or 
     interests in lands may be acquired by condemnation for 
     inclusion in the management area or to provide access to the 
     management area, except as provided for by Public Law 92-400 
     (16 U.S.C. 460aa et seq.) and regulations, in effect as of 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, for the use of private 
     land in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (sections 36 
     292.14-292.16 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations).
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated not more than $5,000,000 to carry out this 
     section. Amounts appropriated pursuant to this authorization 
     of appropriations shall remain available until expended.

     SEC. 303. MOTORIZED AND BICYCLE TRAVEL.

       (a) Motorized and Bicycle Travel Authorized.--
       (1) BLM land.--In the case of public land included in the 
     management area, notwithstanding the status of any other road 
     or trail, motorized and bicycle travel shall continue to be 
     allowed on the Spar Canyon, Herd Lake, and Road Creek routes.
       (2) Forest service land.--In the case of National Forest 
     System land included in the management area, motorized and 
     bicycle travel shall continue to be allowed in accordance 
     with Forest Service travel plans and maps in existence as of 
     July 24, 2006, which managed recreation use for the specific 
     areas, roads, and trails on that land, as referenced on the 
     travel map entitled ``Boulder-White Clouds Management Area 
     Travel Plan'' and dated July 24, 2006.
       (b) Establishment or Use of Other Trails and Routes.--
     Notwithstanding subsection (a), other trails and routes may 
     be used for motorized and bicycle travel whenever the 
     Secretary concerned considers such use to be necessary for 
     administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency.
       (c) Route and Trail Closures.--The following roads or 
     trails shall be closed to motorized and mechanized trail use, 
     except when there is adequate snowcover to permit snowmobile 
     use:
       (1) Forest Service Trail 109 between the Phyllis Lake 
     turnoff to 4th of July Lake and the south side of Washington 
     Lake.
       (2) Forest Service Trail 671 up Warm Springs Creek from 
     Trail 104 to the wilderness boundary.
       (d) Grounds for Trail Segment Closures.--Resource damage 
     that can be mitigated and issues of user conflict shall not 
     be used as grounds for the closure of a trail or route in the 
     management area, although the Secretary concerned may close 
     any trail or route, or prohibit the use of trail or route for 
     motorized and mechanize travel, if the Secretary determines 
     that such closure or prohibition is the only reasonable means 
     available for resource protection or public safety.
       (e) Mitigation of Trail Closures.--If the Secretary 
     determines under subsection (d) that closing an available 
     trail or route in the management area is necessary for 
     resource protection or public safety, the Secretary shall 
     take any of the following mitigation actions, intended to 
     provide commensurate motorized recreation opportunities in 
     the same general area of the management area:
       (1) Repair resource damage and secure conditions so that 
     closed trails may be reopened to motorized use.
       (2) Replace, relocate, or reroute the trail or the trail 
     segment to provide a similar link between travel points.
       (3) A combination of the actions specified in paragraphs 
     (1) and (2) and other actions to achieve the overall 
     mitigation objective.
       (f) Relation to Other Laws.--In considering mitigation 
     actions under subsection (e), the Secretary concerned shall 
     ensure that such action is consistent with the overall 
     objectives of the management area. If the lands are also 
     included in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, the 
     Secretary concerned shall also administer the action in 
     accordance with Public Law 92-400 (16 U.S.C. 460aa et seq.), 
     the map referred to in subsection (a)(2), and executive 
     orders and other relevant laws and regulations existing on or 
     before the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (g) BLM Travel Plan.--Not later than three years after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
     Interior shall develop and implement a travel plan for public 
     land included in the management area, but not otherwise 
     covered by this section. The travel plan shall be developed 
     in accordance with the laws and regulations generally 
     applicable to the public land included in the management area 
     and in accordance with the existing management plan for the 
     Challis District of the Bureau of Land Management. Motorized 
     and bicycle travel authorized in the travel plan shall be 
     managed in accordance with the plan and laws and regulations 
     generally applicable to the public land, and not as otherwise 
     provided for in this section. The Secretary of the Interior 
     shall include a map as part of the travel plan.

     SEC. 304. SUPPORT AND USE OF IDAHO OFF ROAD MOTOR VEHICLE 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) Grant to Program.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture not more than 
     $1,000,000, which shall be used by the Secretary to make a 
     grant to the State of Idaho in the full amount so 
     appropriated for deposit with the Off Road Motor Vehicle 
     Program of the Idaho Department of State Parks and 
     Recreation, which is used to support the acquisition, 
     purchase, improvement, repair, maintenance, furnishing, and 
     equipping of off-road motor vehicle facilities and sites, to 
     groom snowmobile trails, and for enforcement activities and 
     the rehabilitation of land damaged by off-road vehicle users. 
     As a condition of the grant, the State must maintain the 
     grant funds as a separate account of the Off Road Motor 
     Vehicle Program and may not use the funds except as provided 
     by this section.
       (b) Use of Grant Funds.--When the Secretary concerned 
     determines that additional funds are required to carry out 
     the activities described in subsection (a) in the management 
     area, the Secretary may apply for funds from the Off Road 
     Motor Vehicle Program. Funds received under this subsection 
     shall be used only in the management area or in connection 
     with the Boise motorized recreation park authorized by 
     section 107.
       (c) Consultation and Recommendations.--Before funds are 
     provided under subsection (b), the Off Road Motor Vehicle 
     Program shall consider any recommendations regarding the use 
     of the funds made by the advisory committee established as 
     part of the program as well as public comments.
       (d) Relation to Other Laws.--Any action undertaken using 
     funds obtained under subsection (b) shall conform to the 
     applicable travel plan of the Challis National Forest, the 
     Sawtooth National Forest, the Sawtooth National Recreation 
     Area, or the Challis District of the Bureau of Land 
     Management.

[[Page 15524]]



     SEC. 305. AIRPORTS AND LANDING STRIPS.

       No airstrips exist in the wilderness areas designated by 
     title II. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to restrict 
     or preclude the use of public or private airports or landing 
     strips located within the management area or adjacent to a 
     wilderness area designated by title II.

     SEC. 306. MANAGEMENT OF RAILROAD RIDGE AREA, SAWTOOTH 
                   NATIONAL FOREST.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) The Railroad Ridge area of the Sawtooth National Forest 
     is host to several extremely rare and sensitive plant 
     species.
       (2) The area supports some of the most unique and well-
     developed alpine plant communities in Idaho, and is more 
     botanically diverse than most alpine communities in North 
     America.
       (3) The area is currently closed to cross-country motorized 
     travel
       (b) Enhanced Awareness and Conservation.--There is 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture 
     $50,000 for the development of educational materials and 
     signage to raise the awareness of users of the Railroad Ridge 
     area of the uniqueness of the area and to promote the 
     conservation of the area.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Walden) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Oregon?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I yield myself sufficient such 
time as I may consume.
  I am really pleased that we are bringing forward Congressman Mike 
Simpson's bill, H.R. 3603, the Central Idaho Economic Development and 
Recreation Act, otherwise known as CIEDRA. Congressman Simpson should 
be commended for the hard work that he has put into developing this 
legislation over the last 6 years. He has worked tirelessly to get this 
legislation to this position.
  This bill is the first comprehensive wilderness bill to come out of 
the State of Idaho in more than 25 years, a quarter of a century. It 
enjoys broad support from elected officials, as well as the Idaho 
conservation community and present and past statewide officials.
  H.R. 3603 considers all users in the Boulder-White Clouds. It creates 
three new wilderness areas, totaling approximately 312,000 acres. It 
authorizes the first-ever wheelchair accessible trails in the 
wilderness. It locks in existing motorized use for all terrain vehicles 
and snowmobiles, and it also provides much needed economic assistance 
to a county that is, get this, over 95 percent Federal land. Ninety-
five percent.
  H.R. 3603 is a locally produced compromise that meets the needs of 
today's users and secures the future for generations of Idahoans and 
Americans who want to continue using and enjoying our beautiful 
Boulder-White Clouds area. By passing this bill, we can put to rest 
many longstanding conflicts and move forward toward a more secure 
future for those who use and enjoy this area.
  Once again, Mr. Simpson's efforts at bringing together very diverse 
groups should be applauded. I urge passage of this important piece of 
compromise legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, the majority has already explained the purpose of H.R. 
3603, which was introduced by the gentleman from Idaho, Representative 
Mike Simpson.
  Contrary to the impression that may have been given, H.R. 3603 is 
controversial legislation that is being rushed to the floor today 
without even the benefit of a committee report or a Congressional 
Budget Office cost estimate. The ranking Democrat on the resources 
committee, Representative Nick Rahall, opposes this bill and others 
share his concern with the legislation.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 3603 is a controversial and complex measure that 
should be carefully considered. And as such, we do not support passage 
of H.R. 3603 by the House today.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Idaho, who has worked so diligently for 
so long to build this bill from the ground up, from the State of Idaho 
up, my colleague and friend, Mr. Simpson.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, in regard to the opening statement, I 
notice that this bill really is not being rushed to the floor. It has 
been in development for 6 years. I wouldn't call that rushing anything 
to the floor. In fact, it has been in the form of a bill for over 3 
years, so people have had a chance to look at it and know what we have 
been talking about here.
  Idahoans know that the Boulder-White Clouds are some of the most 
beautiful mountains in Idaho. They also know they have been the subject 
of some of the most contentious wilderness debates in our time.
  H.R. 3603, the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, 
marks a new area in wilderness creation, one in which the needs of the 
people who live and recreate in the area are as important as the lines 
drawn on a map. The old approach to wilderness of sacrificing the needs 
of individuals and specific user groups to the benefit of others will 
not work anymore. Those who are affected by wilderness must be a part 
of the solution.
  During the past 6 years, my staff and I had countless meetings with 
the groups and individuals that will be impacted by my proposed 
wilderness designation. These meetings included Custer County's 
commissioners, elected city officials, ranchers, snowmobilers, off-road 
vehicle users, outfitters, conservationists and others, as well as 
public meetings in Stanley, Challis, and Ketchum. What I heard made me 
believe that we could find a positive outcome in the management of the 
Boulder-White Clouds that benefits all users.
  H.R. 3603 represents my best effort at crafting a compromise piece of 
legislation in a manner where no one is unfairly impacted. We are 
providing economic stability for Custer County. We are securing roads 
and trails for today's motorized recreation users and future 
generations of motorized users. We are working on providing economic 
viability to ranching families, and we are creating three substantive 
wilderness areas that have an area half the size of the State of Rhode 
Island. We are even creating the first handicapped-accessible 
wheelchair trail into wilderness.
  By passing this bill, we can put to rest many longstanding conflicts 
and move ahead to a stronger, more secure economy in the rugged, 
beautiful, and productive heart of Idaho. This bill meets the needs of 
today's users and secures the future for generations of Idahoans who 
want to continue using and enjoying the beautiful Boulder-White Clouds.
  Henry Clay once stated that ``politics is not about ideological 
purity or moral self-righteousness. It is about governing, and if a 
politician cannot compromise, he cannot govern effectively.''
  Today, we have an opportunity to show that we can, in fact, govern 
effectively.
  I want to thank the following individuals who have helped me over the 
last 6 years in creating this bill. First, I want to thank the chairman 
of the full committee and Ranking Member Rahall; subcommittee Chairman 
Walden and Ranking Member Tom Udall for their work on this. Custer 
County Commissioners Wayne Butts, Cliff Hansen and Linn Hintze, Blaine 
County Commissioners Sarah Michaels and Tom Bowman, Stanley Mayor 
Hannah Stouts, Former Governor Cecil Andrus, Former Senator Jim 
McClure, Bob Hayes, Bethine Church and the Sawtooth Society, Rick 
Johnson, Linn Kincannon with the Idaho Conservation League, Bart 
Koehler, Tim

[[Page 15525]]

Mahoney, Marcia Argust, Erik Schultze.
  And to the staff of the Resources Committee, particularly Erica 
Tergeson and Doug Crandall, and to Greg Kostka at the legislative 
counsel who drafted countless versions of this legislation.

                              {time}  1530

  And, finally, I want to thank those who put the most work into this, 
my staff: Lindsay Slater, my chief of staff; Laurel Hall; Josh Heird; 
and Nikki Watts for their incredible efforts on this piece of 
legislation.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from New York, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and 
for her leadership in so many areas.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this legislation. As a strong 
supporter of our Nation's wilderness, I am opposed to it, the Central 
Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act.
  I am joined in my opposition by the Sierra Club, and I will place 
their statement in the Record. I am also joined in my opposition by 44 
different organizations, most of which are located in the great State 
of Idaho, and I will place their statements in opposition also in the 
Record. I am also joined by Wilderness Watch. They are opposed because 
they say that the legislation contains ``wilderness-weakening 
provisions.'' And I will place their statement in the Record.

                                                  Sierra Club,

                                                    July 21, 2006.
     Re Please oppose H.R. 3603/CIEDRA.

     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.

       Dear Representative: The 750,000 members of the Sierra Club 
     are citizens from across the country who share a common 
     interest: protecting and restoring wild and special places. 
     Sierra Club members believe that good and responsible 
     stewardship requires that we protect wildlife habitat, halt 
     the loss of wild lands, and secure our natural heritage for 
     future generations. As a member of the House of 
     Representatives, you will make a decision on the Central 
     Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (CIEDRA) (H.R. 
     3603).
       While we acknowledge several changes have been made to the 
     bill since its original introduction, and we are supportive 
     of wilderness protection for Idaho, we continue to have very 
     serious concerns regarding several aspects of the 
     legislation. Sierra Club, therefore, continues to oppose H.R. 
     3603 in its current form and asks that you vote NO on this 
     legislation.


                        Privatizing Public Lands

       The American public has overwhelmingly opposed recent 
     proposals to privatize public land. CIEDRA will give away 
     over 5,000 acres of National Forest and BLM-managed lands, 
     including lands from the congressionally protected Sawtooth 
     National Recreation Area (Sawtooth NRA). These lands include 
     elk wintering grounds and salmon waters in the Salmon River 
     watershed near Stanley, Idaho. If CIEDRA is adopted, these 
     lands will be open to large-scale home development and 
     motorized recreational parks. It is wrong to give away public 
     lands.
       Taxpayers have invested nearly $65 million over 30 years to 
     protect the Sawtooth NRA. CIEDRA would reverse this policy, 
     even giving away land inside the Sawtooth NRA that was 
     purchased in 1989 for $341,000 with federal tax dollars in 
     1989. CIEDRA sets a precedent of dismantling protections on 
     public lands to benefit a few local interests, despite the 
     strong opposition of many residents.


                            Wilderness Lost

       The failure to include 130,000 acres of wilderness quality 
     lands long advocated for protection by the conservation 
     community for wilderness reduces the habitat and wilderness 
     values that should be protected.


                       Waters of the Sawtooth NRA

       The streams and rivers of the Sawtooth NRA must be 
     protected for fish (especially spawning salmon) and wildlife. 
     Normally, federal lands such as the Sawtooth NRA include 
     federal protection of instream flows. However, in 2000 the 
     Idaho Supreme Court stripped the Sawtooth NRA of its 
     protections for water and the State of Idaho is free to 
     continue issuing new water rights further degrading instream 
     flow protections. CIEDRA should reassert flow protections. 
     Instead, the bill expressly denies a federal water right 
     under current Idaho law for the Wilderness areas, and is 
     silent as to the new Boulder White Clouds Management Area. 
     The Salmon River and its tributaries could be degraded as a 
     result, further harming salmon recovery.


                          Off Road Vehicle Use

       CIEDRA would give priority use to motorized recreation for 
     a newly designated 540,000-acre Boulder White Clouds 
     Management Area, and would in effect subvert the conservation 
     purposes of the Sawtooth NRA. To encourage off-road motorized 
     use, what should be a cohesive Wilderness is cleaved into 
     multiple parts. CIEDRA would codify significant ORV trail 
     incursions into prime habitat.
       In particular is our concern that CIEDRA adopts a ``no net 
     loss'' requirement that would prevent Sawtooth NRA land 
     managers from closing motorized trails. No matter how great 
     the damage or risk to public safety, motorized recreation is 
     protected by statute.
       On October 27, 2005, current and retired land managers from 
     the U.S. Forest Service and Department of Interior testified 
     before the House Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health 
     opposing provisions and costs of CIEDRA, including the ORV 
     provisions.
       We acknowledge Rep. Simpson's work in moving forward the 
     discussion of Wilderness in central Idaho. We welcome the 
     opportunity to work with Rep. Simpson and other Members to 
     find accommodations in the bill that would address these 
     issues and help advance and not undo the protections when 
     Congress established the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
       Thank you for your consideration of Sierra Club's position 
     and our reasons for opposing H.R. 3603 in its current form.
           Respectfully yours,
                                                        Carl Pope,
     Executive Director.
                                  ____

                                                        July 2006.
       Honorable Members, House Resources Committee, Why You Must 
     Oppose H.R. 3603 (CIEDRA) Central Idaho Economic Development 
     and Recreation Act.
       (1) Across party lines, the American public recently 
     expressed a strong and clear will to keep public lands PUBLIC 
     by rejecting legislation that would have privatized public 
     land. HR 3603 would thwart the national will by giving away, 
     for free, roughly 5,100 acres of nationally owned public 
     land, including acreage in the congressionally-protected 
     Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Sawtooth NRA), an American 
     treasure located in Central Idaho. In Title I, CIEDRA 
     earmarks numerous parcels of nationally owned public land to 
     be given away. These include elk wintering grounds and salmon 
     waters near Stanley, Idaho as well as land outside the 
     Sawtooth NRA. The exact acreage is still unknown, as it is 
     yet to be included in the bill language or documented in one 
     place.
       (2) CIEDRA would mandate motorized use and erode existing 
     protections in the Sawtooth NRA. The eastern half of the 
     Sawtooth NRA would be overlain with a new Boulder White 
     Clouds Management Area, designating permanent off-road 
     vehicle (ORV) corridors through critical wildlife habitat and 
     establishing motorized recreation as the priority use for 
     approximately 550,000 acres--almost twice the acreage the 
     bill would designate as Wilderness. Title III would restrict 
     Sawtooth NRA managers' ability to protect this new Management 
     Area from ORV damage and lock in the status quo of damaging 
     ORV use. CIEDRA would eliminate environmental protections, 
     requiring no net loss in motorized routes despite resource 
     damage and public safety concerns. Over 200,000 acres of the 
     Sawtooth NRA, 70,000 acres of additional National Forest 
     lands, and 230,000 acres of BLM-managed land adjacent to the 
     Sawtooth NRA would be dedicated to dirt bikes and 
     snowmobiles.
       (3) CIEDRA would undo the protections afforded in PL 92-
     400, passed in 1972 to protect the natural, rural, and scenic 
     values of the Sawtooth NRA. Taxpayers have already spent $65 
     million to create and protect the Sawtooth NRA, an icon among 
     America's western landscapes. Despite the strong opposition 
     of many area residents--CIEDRA would set a precedent of 
     dismantling protections on public land to benefit a few 
     interests.
       (4) CIEDRA fails to provide a water right needed by 
     wildlife and fish, especially endangered salmon. In 2000 the 
     Idaho Supreme Court stripped the Sawtooth NRA of its 
     protections for water. CIEDRA should reassert instream flow 
     protections. Instead, the bill expressly denies a federal 
     water right for wilderness areas and is silent as to the new 
     Boulder White Clouds Management Area. Hunters and fishermen 
     are among those opposing CIEDRA because they know that 
     without water, wilderness cannot support wildlife, and 
     streams cannot support fish.
       (5) CIEDRA would weaken the Wilderness Act, bestowing the 
     name ``Wilderness'' while undermining traditional wilderness 
     protections. Title II would ``release'' more than 130,000 
     acres of Wilderness Study Areas and recommended Wilderness, 
     suspending protection and opening these lands to damaging 
     uses. The Wilderness proposed by CIEDRA is so weak and 
     inconsistent with the Wilderness Act that the Forest Service 
     expressed strong reservations about this title in its October 
     27, 2005 testimony regarding H.R. 3603.
       For these and other reasons, the interests of your 
     constituents are not well served by H.R. 3603.
       We, the undersigned, urge you not to support CIEDRA.

[[Page 15526]]




                       COMMITTEE TO SAVE THE SNRA

       Sierra Club, N. Rockies Chapter, Boise, ID, Kathy Richmond.
       Idaho Wildlife Federation, Boise, ID, Cherie Barton.
       Idaho Birdhunters, Boise, ID, Russell Heughins.
       Idaho Environmental Council, Idaho Falls, ID, Jerry Jayne.
       Ada County Fish & Game League, Boise, ID, Bob Minter.
       Idaho Sporting Congress, Boise, ID, Ron Mitchell.
       Coalition of Retired Forest Service Managers, Hailey, ID, 
     Scott Phillips.
       Golden Eagle Audubon, Boise, ID.
       Payette Forest Watch, Moscow, ID, Erik Ryberg.
       Friends of the West, Clayton, ID, Dave Richmond.
       Friends of the Clearwater, Moscow, ID, Gary Macfarlane.
       Kootenai Environmental Alliance, Coeur d'Alene, ID, Barry 
     Rosenberg.
       Idaho Green Party, Boise, ID, Gwen Sanchirico.
       NREPA Network, Hailey, ID, Kaz Thea.
       Selkirk Conservation Alliance, Priest River, ID, Mark 
     Sprengel.
       Western Lands Project, Seattle, WA, Janine Blaeloch.
       Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Missoula, MT, Michael 
     Garrity.
       Wilderness Watch, Missoula, MT, George Nickas.
       Friends of the Bitterroot, Hamilton, MT, Larry Campbell.
       Big Wild Advocates, Emigrant, MT, Howie Wolke.
       Wildlands CPR, Missoula, MT, Bethanie Walder.
       National Forest Protection Alliance, Missoula, MT, Susan 
     Curry.
       The Ecology Center, Missoula, MT, Jeff Juel.
       Save America's Forests, Washington, D.C., Carl Ross.
       Bluewater Network, A Division of Friends of the Earth, San 
     Francisco, CA, Carl Schneebeck.
       Public Lands Foundation, Arlington, VA, George Lea.
       Wild Wilderness, Bend, OR, Scott Silver.
       Californians for Western Wilderness, San Francisco, CA, 
     Michael J. Painter.
       North Cascades Conservation Council, Seattle, WA, Marc 
     Bardsley.
       Utah Environmental Congress, Salt Lake City, UT, Kevin 
     Mueller.
       Olympic Forest Coalition, Olympia, WA, Bonnie Phillips.
       Cold Mountain, Cold Rivers, Missoula, MT, Lance Olsen.
       Conservation Congress, Lewistown, MT, Denise Boggs.
       Native Forest Council, Eugene, OR, Tim Hermach.
       Citizens to Save Our Canyons, Salt Lake City, UT, Gale 
     Dick.
       River Runners for Wilderness, Moab, UT, Tom Martin.
       Wild Law, Montgomery, AL, Ray Vaughan.
       Citizens for the Chuckwalla Valley, Desert Center, CA, 
     Donna Charpied.
       Heartwood, Brookport, IL, Mark Donhan.
       Citizens Against Recreation Privatization, Southlake, TX, 
     Greg Billingsley.
       Friends of the Wild Swan, Swan Lake, MT, Arlene Montgomery.
       Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Durango, CO, Ronni Egan.
       Swan View Coalition, Kallispell, MT, Keith Hammer.
       Friends of Bell Smith Springs, Stonefort, Illinois, Sam 
     Stearns.
       Umpqua Watersheds, Roseburg, OR, Penny Lind.
                                  ____


         Memo Regarding the Wilderness Provisions in H.R. 3603


 Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (CIEDRA), July 
                                21, 2001

       Rep. Mike Simpson's (R-ID) Central Idaho Economic 
     Development and Recreation Act (CIEDRA) contains a number of 
     wilderness-weakening provisions that are contrary to the 
     intent and provisions in the Wilderness Act. Some of these 
     have been included in one or more other wilderness bills but 
     that does not make them any less harmful for wilderness.
       Exceptions contrary to the Wilderness Act water down the 
     meaning and authenticity of wilderness. The new trend these 
     last several years of designating wilderness as part of 
     complex omnibus public lands bills has become increasingly 
     controversial. The Lincoln County bill in Nevada is one 
     recent example that bitterly divided the conservation 
     community and undermined the language and intent of the 
     Wilderness Act.
       Below are citations in CIEDRA that are wilderness-weakening 
     provisions.


                               Provision

       CIEDRA elevates the interests of certain user groups into 
     statutory rights.
       CIEDRA 202(h): Commercial Outfitters and Saddle and Pack 
     Stock.--Nothing in this title shall preclude horseback riding 
     or the entry of recreational saddle or pack stock into the 
     wilderness areas designated by section 201, including when 
     such entry is made by commercial outfitters.
       Discussion: Howard Zahniser, author of the Wilderness Act, 
     said the following in testimony before the House: ``The 
     purpose of the Wilderness Act is to preserve the wilderness 
     character of the areas to be included in the wilderness 
     system, not to establish any particular use.''--May 7th, 
     1962, 87th Congress
       Commercial outfitters in the Sierra have been trying for 
     several years to pass a national Right to Ride bill. They've 
     included recreational equestrians in their legislative 
     attempts to get their support for the bill. That bill has not 
     passed, but Right to Ride language has been inserted into a 
     few wilderness bills, including CIEDRA and the California 
     Wild Heritage Act, but such language has never passed yet. 
     CIEDRA would be the first to enshrine such language into law.
       The overarching statutory mandate of the Wilderness Act is 
     to preserve the wilderness character of an area, and allow 
     nothing to diminish its wilderness character over time. By 
     law, preserving wilderness character has priority over any 
     particular use of an area. For that reason any allowable 
     public use such as hiking or horse use can be limited or 
     prohibited in wilderness if the use is harming some aspect of 
     an area's wilderness character. There are a number of 
     wildernesses around the country that are completely closed to 
     public use for all or part of each year for that very reason.
       CIEDRA does the opposite--it says that even though the area 
     has become wilderness, protection of its wilderness character 
     cannot be used as the premise for limiting horse use. It 
     essentially grants greater statutory privilege to horse use 
     than to preservation of wilderness character, which is 
     completely contrary to the intent of the Wilderness Act.


                               Provision

       CIEDRA weakens Wilderness Act restrictions on access to 
     mining claims.
       CIEDRA Sec. 202(f): Treatment of Existing Claims and 
     Private Lands.--Nothing in this title is intended to affect 
     the rights or interests in real property, patented mining 
     claims, or valid claims or prevent reasonable access to 
     private property or for the development and use of valid 
     mineral rights.
       Wilderness Act Sec. 5(b): In any case where valid mining 
     claims or other valid occupancies are wholly within a 
     designated national forest wilderness area, the Secretary of 
     Agriculture shall, by reasonable regulations consistent with 
     the preservation of the area as wilderness, permit ingress 
     and egress to such surrounded areas by means which have been 
     or are being customarily enjoyed with respect to other such 
     areas similarly situated.
       Discussion: Instead of simply referencing the Wilderness 
     Act, CIEDRA drops the ``reasonable regulations'' clause, the 
     ``consistent with preservation of the area as wilderness'' 
     requirement, and the very important ``customarily enjoyed in 
     areas similarly situated'' requirement. The latter 
     requirement is highly significant because courts have relied 
     on it in denying road-building and motorized access to 
     private property or valid occupancies within designated 
     wilderness (Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness is one example). 
     Comparing to other areas similarly situated requires 
     comparing to modes of access that are allowed to other 
     properties that are surrounded by designated wilderness.
       CIEDRA abandons these provisos of the Wilderness Act, 
     leaving the door wide open to any kind of access the agency 
     can be convinced to approve.


                               Provision

       CIEDRA grants fire management authority to State and local 
     entities, including use of motor vehicles, bulldozers, and 
     chainsaws in Wilderness.
       CIEDRA Sec. 205: Wildfire Management.--Consistent with 
     section 4 of the Wilderness Act nothing in this title 
     precludes a Federal, State, or local agency from conducting 
     wildfire management operations, including operations using 
     aircraft or mechanized equipment, to manage wildfires in the 
     wilderness areas designated by section 201.
       Wilderness Act Sec. 4(d)(1): Within wilderness areas . . . 
     such measure may be taken as may be necessary in the control 
     of fire, insects, and diseases, subject to such conditions as 
     the Secretary deems desirable.
       Discussion: Under the Wilderness Act the Secretary clearly 
     retains sole responsibility for fire management decisions in 
     wilderness, including decisions regarding motorized uses for 
     fire control. Under CIEDRA, State and local agencies are 
     placed on an equal footing with the Forest Service for making 
     fire management decisions. This devolution of fire management 
     authority first appeared in the Clark County, Nevada bill in 
     2002 and was repeated in the Lincoln County, Nevada bill in 
     2004.


                               Provision

       CIEDRA fragments the largest remaining contiguous roadless 
     area in the continental U.S. into four parcels separated by 
     ATV and motorcycle trails.
       CIEDRA Sec. 201(1, 2, 3) and Sec. 301(a): CIEDRA designates 
     three separate wildernesses: Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness, 
     White Clouds Wilderness, and Jerry Peak Wilderness. The 
     Hemingway-Boulders and White Clouds Wildernesses are 
     separated by a motorcycle trail, the Germania Trail. The 
     Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness is further carved into two 
     parcels separated by another motorcycle trail that branches 
     off the Germania Trail and leads to the road to the Bowery 
     Guard Station. The White Clouds Wilderness is similarly 
     carved into two separate pieces

[[Page 15527]]

     separated by a loop trail used by motorcycles and ATV's, the 
     Frog Lake Trail. These motorized routes are shown on maps on 
     Simpson's web page and will be on the Travel Map referenced 
     in Sec. 301(a).
       Discussion: These trails were originally constructed for 
     packstock but began receiving some motorcycle use over the 
     years. The Forest Service did not prohibit the motorized use 
     but currently has the authority to close these trails to 
     motorized use at any time. Congress could also choose to 
     close these motorized trails and designate one larger and 
     completely contiguous wilderness for the Boulder-White Cloud 
     Mountains, instead of the fragmented version that CIEDRA 
     presents.


                               Provision

       CIEDRA permits stream poisoning, predator control, and 
     stocking with non-native species in wilderness.
       CIEDRA Sec. 207(b): Management Activities.--In furtherance 
     of the purposes and principles of the Wilderness Act, 
     management activities to maintain or restore fish and 
     wildlife populations and the habitats to support such 
     populations may be carried out within wilderness areas 
     designated by section 201 where consistent with relevant 
     wilderness management plans, in accordance with appropriate 
     policies such as those set forth in Appendix B of House 
     Report 101-405 of the 101st Congress, including the 
     occasional and temporary use of motorized vehicles, if such 
     use, as determined by the Secretary concerned would promote 
     healthy, viable, and more naturally distributed wildlife 
     populations that would enhance wilderness values and 
     accomplish those purposes using the minimum tool necessary to 
     reasonably accomplish the task.
       Wilderness Act Sec. 2(c): Definition of Wilderness.--A 
     wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his 
     own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an 
     area where the earth and its community of life are 
     untrammeled by man. . . .
       Discussion: By statutory definition, wilderness is to 
     remain a place set apart where its natural processes 
     including wildlife populations remain untrammeled by 
     intentional human manipulations and interference. While the 
     State retains its role in regulating hunting and fishing in 
     wilderness, the clear intent of the Wilderness Act is not to 
     allow the heavy-handed game management activities that State 
     Fish & Game managers often employ on non-wilderness lands.
       The House Report incorporated by CIEDRA contains what are 
     known as the ``wildlife guidelines.'' Those guidelines were 
     not written by wilderness managers, they were drafted by 
     state wildlife managers and were first incorporated into 
     statute in the Arizona Desert Wilderness Act of 1990. Those 
     guidelines contain the following:
       Stream Poisoning: Chemical treatment may be necessary to 
     prepare waters for the reestablishment of indigenous species, 
     to protect or recover Federally listed threatened or 
     endangered species, or to correct undesirable conditions 
     resulting from the influence of man. . . Use only registered 
     pesticide . . . Schedule chemical treatments during periods 
     of low human use, insofar as possible. . .
       Predator Control: Wildlife damage control in wilderness may 
     be necessary to . . . prevent serious losses of domestic 
     livestock . . . Acceptable control measures include lethal 
     and nonlethal methods. . . Use pesticides only where other 
     measures are impractical . . . Place warning signs at the 
     entrance to the area where pesticides are being used to warn 
     the public of any dangers to themselves or their pets.
       Stocking with non-native species: The order of preference 
     for stocking fish species is (a) Federally listed threatened 
     or endangered indigenous species, (b) indigenous species. 
     Species of fish traditionally stocked before wilderness 
     designation may be considered indigenous if the species is 
     likely to survive. Barren lakes and streams may be considered 
     for stocking . . .


                               Provision

       CIEDRA would allow motor vehicles and aircraft in 
     wilderness for routine game management.
       CIEDRA Sec. 207(c): Use of Aircraft.--Consistent with 
     section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act and in accordance with 
     appropriate policies such as those set forth in Appendix B of 
     House Report 101-405 of the 101st Congress, the State of 
     Idaho may continue to use aircraft, including helicopters, to 
     survey, capture, transplant, monitor, and manage elk, deer, 
     bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wolves, grizzly bears, and 
     other wildlife and fish.
       Appendix B Wildlife Guidelines: Aerial stocking of fish 
     shall be permitted for those waters in wilderness where this 
     was an established practice before wilderness designation . . 
     . motorized methods and temporary holding and handling 
     facilities may be permitted if they are the minimum necessary 
     . . . Chemical poisoning of lakes is done with motorboats . . 
     .


                               Provision

       CIEDRA releases 130,000 acres of Wilderness Study Areas and 
     Forest Service recommended wilderness, suspending current 
     protections and opening these lands to potentially damaging 
     multiple-use.
       CIEDRA Sec. 210(b)(1): Releases the Jerry Peak Wilderness 
     Study Area, the Jerry Peak West Wilderness Study Area, the 
     Corral-Horse Basin Wilderness Study Area, and the Boulder 
     Creek Wilderness Study Area. Any public land described in 
     paragraph (1) that is not designated as wilderness by this 
     title is no longer subject to section 603( c) of the Federal 
     Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) of 1976. These WSA's 
     total 80,000 acres.
       FLPMA requires that WSA's be managed in a manner that does 
     not impair their suitability for designation as wilderness, 
     and directs the Secretary to take action to prevent 
     unnecessary or undue degradation of those lands.
       A PowerPoint presentation on Simpson's website indicates 
     that CIEDRA does not designate 50,000 acres that have been 
     recommended by the Forest Service for wilderness designation.

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, among other harmful provisions, the 
underlying bill, H.R. 3603, will give away many public lands for 
private development to local governments completely for free. A bill 
this controversial should not be considered under suspension of the 
rules.
  The bill, H.R. 3603, includes unusual language that allows the giving 
away of publicly owned land, owned by the taxpayers, to localities, to 
counties, and local governments for them then to possibly develop it 
for private development.
  It will also give away, I am told, by the Sierra Club, 5,000 acres. 
My good friend on the other side of the aisle, Mike Simpson, said that 
it is only 3,600 acres. I asked the Democratic staff what is the 
correct number? They say they do not know because they just got the 
maps of this controversial bill today at 12:30. And I think that 
illustrates, if we do not even know how many acres of publicly owned 
land we are giving away, this needs a further investigation.
  In any event, it will give away thousands of acres of national forest 
and Bureau of Land Management managed lands, including lands within the 
congressionally protected Sawtooth National Recreation Area, to be 
opened to large-scale home development and motorized recreational 
parks. American taxpayers have invested nearly $65 million over 30 
years to protect the Sawtooth National Recreational Area, and it is 
among the most beautiful sites truly in our country. And now this bill 
will be giving away roughly 3,600 or 5,000 acres. We are not clear how 
many.
  Make no mistake. We are setting a dangerous precedent by turning over 
land that is truly owned by this country by all Americans for private 
development, most of it completely for free.
  Some are willing to accept this dangerous precedent and other 
comprises harmful to the land and wildlife because this bill designates 
some wilderness. However, Madam Speaker, the esteemed ranking member, 
Nick Rahall, of the Resources Committee, and I quote his statement in 
the committee, ``I believe that wilderness designations should not be 
the result of a quid pro quo,'' this is from Nick Rahall, who is 
opposing this bill.
  Mike Thompson has a bill before us today that would designate 275,000 
acres of wilderness, and I am totally supportive. But apparently, these 
two bills have been tied together in an unprecedented way. But even if 
you believe they should both move forward, let us look at what getting 
in return for our public lands.
  We are getting a number, according to the Wilderness Watch and the 
Sierra Club, of wilderness-weakening provisions that are contrary and, 
indeed, undermine the intent and provisions of the Wilderness Act that 
has been the gold standard for wilderness protection in America for 
over 40 years.
  For example, H.R. 3603 fragments the largest remaining contiguous, 
roadless area in the continental U.S. into four parcels separated and 
surrounded by all-terrain vehicles and motorcycle trails.
  Secondly, according to Sierra Club and Wilderness Watch, it weakens 
stream protection by saying that the Forest Service, in order to get 
water rights, they must get these rights from the State. But the State 
does not provide wilderness water rights. Therefore, the Democratic 
staff says that this is a complete and total charade.
  Also, it weakens restrictions on access to mining claims and releases

[[Page 15528]]

more than 130,000 acres of Wilderness Study Areas and recommended 
Wilderness, suspending protection and opening these lands to damaging 
uses.
  We must not set a precedent of giving away lands for private 
development, and we must not get in place of it watered-down, 
substandard ``wilderness.'' It is simply not worth the cost.
  A bill this controversial simply should not be considered under 
suspension, and I urge, along with the Sierra Club, 44 organizations, 
Wilderness Watch, a ``no'' vote on H.R. 3603. And I feel it should not 
be tied in any way to Mr. Thompson's very fine bill that provides for 
wilderness protection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the author of the bill for a concluding statement and any 
comments he may have.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, I have to respond to a couple of the 
statements that were been made because I know that they have been made 
over the past by the Sierra Club and others.
  First of all, the Wilderness Society and the Campaign for American 
Wilderness would not be supporting this bill if we actually had 
wilderness-weakening provisions in this. And while there are 
compromises in that, and the comment of the ranking member, Mr. Rahall, 
that we should not have a quid pro quo, that is kind of the nature of a 
compromise, that there are some things in it that you like and some 
things that you do not like. There are provisions of this bill which I 
personally am not in favor of, but they were necessary in order to get 
the compromise that is necessary in order to pass this legislation and 
protect these lands.
  First of all, the land transfers that are being talked about, they 
total about 3,600 acres. This is in a county that is 95 public land, 
over 95 percent. Out of a total of 3.2 million acres in this county, we 
are talking about transferring about 3,600 acres. These are not the 
beautiful mountains that you see in the pictures. These are mostly 
desert lands, sagebrush lands. They will help the county do things like 
find room for their landfill, other things like that which will help in 
the economic development of this county.
  Most people that have looked at the actual lands that are being 
transferred are not opposed to them except for a small portion of them 
that are actually in Stanley, and in Stanley the city of Stanley has to 
repay the Federal Government for these lands that were actually 
purchased by the Federal Government.
  I would also say that if there was a great deal of concern about 
these land transfers and what it is going to do to the Sawtooth 
National Recreation Area, the Sawtooth Society would not be supporting 
this. Frank Church's wife, Bethine Church, would not be supporting 
this, as well as the other members of the Sawtooth Society. Neither 
would the Boulder-White Clouds Council be supporting in this. So it is 
a compromise. There are provisions in it that you can find that you do 
not like.
  One of the interesting things is that the Sierra Club says there is 
no Federal reserved water rights on this


Moment of Silence in Memory of Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective 
                             John M. Gibson

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Will the gentleman suspend.
  Pursuant to the Chair's announcement of earlier today, the House will 
now observe a moment of silence in memory of Officer Jacob J. Chestnut 
and Detective John M. Gibson.
  Please rise for a moment of silence.
  The gentleman from Idaho is recognized.
  Mr. SIMPSON. One last comment, Madam Speaker. The argument I found so 
strange by the Sierra Club is that they say that this does not have 
Federal water right protection in it. And you are right. It does not 
have Federal water right protection in it. It does not need Federal 
water right protection in it because the wilderness area is all 
headwaters. Whatever falls on the ground from the sky, whatever comes 
out of the springs there, are protected by the wilderness designation. 
It does not need Federal water right designation because there is no 
water right to protect. So I have never understood their argument.
  But the reality is that we protect water in this bill better than any 
wilderness bill that has ever passed because the Wilderness Act itself 
allows for the President on his declaration to go into a wilderness 
area and build a dam or other things for irrigation purposes if he 
declares that that is necessary. That is one of the actual compromises 
that were made when the Wilderness Act was enacted. We take away the 
President's right to do that. He could not go in and designate certain 
areas to be used for irrigation and build dams and take water or 
anything else. The water that falls on the land will be preserved for 
the Boulder-White Clouds Wilderness.
  Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman's concern, and I 
appreciate the fact that this is a compromise and that there are people 
on both sides of this issue, in fact, on all sides, there are multiple 
sides, who do not like this, who do not think it goes far enough in 
their direction. But the nature of a compromise is that you try to 
bring people toward the middle. You try to bring people toward a center 
that they can say we get more out of this bill than we lose.
  If we were to draft the perfect bill that you liked, that the Sierra 
Club liked, we could never get it passed because the people on the 
other side would then be violently opposed to it. So what we are trying 
to do is reach that balance where we can actually protect the Boulder-
White Clouds, and if you have ever been there, it is something that 
deserves protecting.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Again, I want to commend the hard work and diligent effort of our 
colleague Mike Simpson from Idaho and his staff and the people he has 
worked with for a long time to bring this bill to this point and for 
our consideration. And I would heartily urge our Members to support it 
and remind them that it came out of the Resources Committee on a 
unanimous vote.
  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I have spent more than half my life as a 
member of the Resources Committee. In that time I have supported 
numerous wilderness designations. In fact, I cannot recall ever 
opposing a wilderness bill. Yet, today, I find myself in a different 
situation. While I am normally excited, in fact, enthused, whenever a 
Republican introduces a wilderness bill, H.R. 3603 falls far short of 
what I see as an acceptable standard for such an exceptional area.
  Wilderness designations should not be the result of a quid pro quo. 
They should rise or fall on their own merits. We all understand that 
compromise is part of the legislative process, yet at the same time, I 
would submit that wilderness is not for sale. Simply put, I believe we 
should not seek the lowest common denominator when it comes to 
wilderness and saddle a wilderness designation with exceptions, 
exclusions, and exemptions. Wilderness is an endangered species. But 
instead of treating it as such, H.R. 3603 declares open season on it.
  With all due respect to the author of this legislation, and its 
supporters, in my view the focus of this bill is placed on development, 
with public land giveaways, monetary favors and special legislative 
provisions for a select few.
  There is nothing to be ashamed about with wilderness. Wilderness is 
not defined by the absence of certain activities, but rather by the 
presence of certain unique and invaluable characteristics. The answer 
to the oft-asked question, ``why do you want this area to be 
wilderness'' is that these areas are already wilderness. Congress 
cannot ``create'' wilderness. That is done by the hand of God. But what 
we can do is look beyond the fleeting uses these wild lands could be 
put to and preserve them as they are and as they have been for 
generations.
  President Lyndon Johnson, at the signing of the Wilderness Act in 
1964 perhaps summed it up best when he said: ``If future generations 
are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave 
them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them 
a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we 
got through with it.''
  H.R. 3603 falls far short of the standard that has been set for 
wilderness designation over

[[Page 15529]]

the past forty years. It treats wilderness as a bargaining chip, 
something to be used to gain other ends. I simply cannot support 
eroding protections in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, the 
transfer of public lands to developers, or the payoffs to mining 
speculators to name but a few issues.
  H.R. 3603 does not enhance the cause of wilderness, it cheapens it. 
The rush to bring this bill to the floor, without even a Committee 
Report, only shows that proponents fear a little sunshine on this 
legislation. They don't want you to look too closely at the backroom 
deals that were made, the favors that were granted, or the real 
resource protection for these public resources that is being forgone.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 3603, is bad wilderness policy, it's bad resource 
management policy and it is bad fiscal policy. I urge defeat of the 
legislation.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 3603, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________