Bicycles belong in wild places.
S._______ or H.R.________
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
This Act may be cited as the “Colorado Public Lands Protection Area Act of 200_’’.
As used in this Act:
(a) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of the Interior or Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate for the lands involved.
(b) The term ‘‘public lands’’ has the meaning stated in section103(e) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1702(e)) or lands of the National Forests and Grasslands System.
(c) The term “Protection Area” means any and all of the National Protection Areas established pursuant to Title III. of this Act.
(d) The term ‘‘Conservation Area’’ means any and all of the National Conservation Areas established pursuant to Title IV of this Act.
(e) The term “Wildlife Protection Zone” means any an all of the Wildlife Protection Areas established pursuant to Title V of this Act
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Wilderness designation is an effective means of protecting public lands from development.
(2) The National Wilderness Preservation System in Colorado prior to this Act encompassed 3,384,294 acres, amounting to 14 percent of federal lands in Colorado.
(3) There remain some wild lands in Colorado not yet protected where Wilderness designation remains appropriate.
(4) The areas hereby designated have significant wildlife and vegetation species worthy of protection.
(a) The following are established as units of the National Wilderness Preservation System:
(1) The Allenspark Indian Peaks Wilderness Addition, consisting of ____ acres of the Roosevelt National Forest in Roosevelt County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Indian Peaks Wilderness Addition” and dated __ , 200_.
(2) The Bangs Canyon Wilderness, consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Grand Junction Resource Area in Mesa County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Bangs Canyon Wilderness” and dated __ , 200_.
(3) The Beaver Creek Wilderness, consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Royal Gorge Resource Area in El Paso, Fremont, and Teller Counties, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Beaver Creek Wilderness” and dated __ , 200_.
(4) The Browns Canyon Wilderness, consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Royal Gorge Resource Area in Chaffee County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Browns Canyon Wilderness” and dated __ , 200_.
(5) The Deep Creek Wilderness, consisting of ____ acres of the White River National Forest in Garfield County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Deep Creek Wilderness” and dated __ , 200_.
(6) The Gunnison River Wilderness , consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Grand Junction Resource Area in Mesa County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Gunnison River Wilderness” and dated __ , 200_.
(7) The Handies Peak Wilderness, consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Gunnison Resource Area in Hinsdale County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Handies Wilderness” and dated __ , 200_.
(8) The Matchless Mountain Wilderness, consisting of ____ acres of the Gunnison National Forest in Gunnison County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Matchless Mountain Wilderness” and dated __ , 200_.
(9) The McIntyre Hills Wilderness, consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Royal Gorge Resource Area in Fremont County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “McIntyre Hills Wilderness” and dated __ , 200_.
(10) The Ruedi Wilderness, consisting of ____ acres of the White River National Forest in Eagle County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Ruedi Wilderness” and dated __ , 200_.
(11) The Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness, consisting of ____ acres of the Gunnison National Forest in Gunnison County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Sawtooth Wilderness” and dated __ , 200_.
(12) The Sewemup Mesa Wilderness, consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Grand Junction Resource Area and ___ acres of the Manti-LaSal National Forest, in Mesa and Montrose Counties, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Sewemup Mesa Wilderness” and dated __ , 200_.
(b) MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTION.—As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a map and legal description of the Wilderness Areas. The map and legal description shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except the Secretary may correct clerical and typographical errors in such map and legal description. Copies of the map and legal description shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the U.S.Forest Service.
(a) The Congress finds the following:
(1) The areas of Colorado hereby designated as National Protection Areas are generally roadless and have wild characteristics that should be maintained.
(2) The areas have significant wildlife and vegetation species worthy of protection
(3) The areas have nationally significant biological, scenic, cultural, aquatic, wildlife, vegetative, recreational, geological, educational, and scientific values.
(4) Public lands in the protection areas hereby designated offer quality recreation opportunities, which can benefit to community stability and contributions to the local economies.
(a) The following areas are established as National Protection Areas:
(1) The Agate Creek National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the Gunnison National Forest, in Saguache and Gunnison Counties, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Grape Creek National Protection Area and National Conservation Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(2) The Beckwith National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the Gunnison National Forest in Gunnison County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Beckwith National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(3) The Bull Gulch National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Glenwood Springs Resource Area in Eagle County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Bull Gulch National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(4) The Carbon Whetstone National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the Gunnison National Forest in Gunnison County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Carbon Whetstone National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(5) The Castle Peak National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Glenwood Springs Resource Area in Eagle County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Castle Peak National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(6) The Cross Mountain National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the Little Snake Resource Area in Moffat County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Cross Mountain National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(7) The Deer Creek National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the Gunnison National Forest in Gunnison County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Deer Creek National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(8) The Dominguez National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Grand Junction and Uncompahre Resource Areas and ___ acres of the Uncompaghre National Forest, in Mesa and Delta Counties, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Dominguez National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(9) The Dyke National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the Gunnison National Forest in Gunnison County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Dyke National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(10) The Grape Creek National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Royal Gorge Resource Area and ___ acres of the Pike National Forest, in Custer and Fremont Counties, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Grape Creek National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(11) The Hermosa National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the San Juan National Forest in La Plata County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Hermosa National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(12) The Hunter Canyon National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Grand Junction Resource Area Mesa County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Hunter Canyon National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(13) The Kannah Creek National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the Grand Mesa National Forest in Mesa County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Kannah Creek National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(14) The Molas National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Canon Resource Area and ___ acres of the San Juan National Forest in Mesa County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Molas National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(15) The Pisgah Mountain National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Glenwood Springs Resource Area in Eagle County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Pisgah Mountain National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(16) The San Luis Hills National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the BLM La Jara Resource Area and in Conejos County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Grape Creek National Protection Area and National Conservation Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(17) The Sheep Mountain National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the Roosevelt National Forest in Boulder County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Sheep Mountain National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(18) The Sourdough North and South National Protection Areas, , consisting of __ acres of the Roosevelt National Forest in Boulder County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Sourdough North and South National Protection Areas” and dated __ , 200_.
(19) The St. Vrain National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the Roosevelt National Forest in Boulder County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “St. Vrain National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(20) The Sunshine and Redcloud Mountains National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the BLM Gunnison Resource Area in Hinsdale County, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Sunshine and Redcloud Mountains National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(21) The Troublesome National Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the Routt National Forest, in Grand and Jacskon Counties, Colorado, as generally depicted on the map entitled “Troublesome National Protection Area” and dated __ , 200_.
Subject to valid existing rights, all lands within the National Protection Area are hereby withdrawn from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws, from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and from disposition under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, including all amendments thereto.
No timber harvesting shall be allowed within the National Protection Area except to the extent that would be permitted in wilderness under section 1133(d)(1) of this title for necessary control of fire, insects, and diseases, and for public safety.
After the date of enactment of this Act, no new roads, bridges, tunnels, or dams may be constructed or established within the National Protection Area. Subject to valid existing rights, no structure or buildings of any sort may be constructed within the National Protection Area.
Motorized travel shall not be permitted within the National Protection Area except where necessary for administrative purposes, including but limited to trail building and maintenance, or to respond to an emergency. All forms of non-motorized travel may be permitted within the National Protection Area.
(a) The Congress finds the following:
(1) The areas of Colorado hereby designated as National Conservation Areas have a relative absence of development and are suitable for protective management with a conservation and recreation emphasis.
(2) The areas have significant wildlife and vegetation species worthy of protection
(3) The areas have nationally significant biological, scenic, cultural, aquatic, wildlife, vegetative, recreational, geological, educational, and scientific values.
(4) Public lands in the Conservation Areass have been used for recreation for many years, with resultant benefits to community stability and contributions to the local and State economies. It has not been demonstrated that continuation of these uses would be incompatible with appropriate protection and sound management of the resource values of these lands; therefore, it is expected that such recreation will continue in accordance with agency management plans and other applicable laws and regulations.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES.—In order to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations the unique and nationally important historical, cultural, scenic, scientific, biological, educational, wildlife, riparian, wilderness, endangered species, and recreational values and resources of these lands, the following National Conservation Areas are established:
(1) The Alpine BLM National Conservation Area on public lands of the Montrose District of the BLM and lands of the Gunnison and Rio Grande National Forests, in Lake and San Juan Counties, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘_______________ National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(2) The Cochetopa National Conservation Area on lands of the Gunnison National Forest and Rio Grande National Forest in Saguache County, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled “Cochetpa National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(3) The Fruita Bookcliffs National Conservation Area on lands of the Grand Junction Resource Area in Mesa County, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled “Fruita Bookcliffs National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(4) The American Flag Mountain National Conservation Area on lands of the Gunnison National Forest in Gunnison County, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled Fruita Bookcliffs National Conservation Area” and dated __ , 200_.
(5) The Grape Creek National Conservation Area on public ands of the Canon City Resource Management Area in Fremont and Custer Counties, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled “Grape Creek National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(6) The Hermosa National Conservation Area on lands of the San Juan National Forest in La Plata County, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled “Hermosa National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(7) The Kebler Pass National Conservation Area on lands of the Gunnison National Forest in Gunnison County, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled “Kebler Pass National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(8) The Little Bookcliffs National Conservation Area on lands of the Grand Junction Resource Area in Mesa County, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘_______________ National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(9) The Lowline National Conservation Area on lands of the Gunnison National Forest in Gunnison County, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled “Lowline National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(10) The Matchless Mountain National Conservation Area on lands of the Gunnison National Forest in Gunnison County, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled “Matchless Mountain National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(11) The Red Table Mountain National Conservation Area on lands of the White River National Forest in Eagle County, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled “Red Table Mountain National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(12) The Rio Grande National Conservation Area on lands of the San Juan National Forest in Conejos County, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled “Rio Grande National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(13) The Roan Plateau National Conservation Area on public lands of the Glenwood Springs Resource Area in Garfield County, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘_______________ National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(14) The Tabeguache National Conservation Area on public lands of the Grand Junction Resource Area and the Uncompaghre National Forest in Delta and Mesa Counties, which shall consist of approximately ________ acres of public lands as generally depicted on the map entitled “Tabeguache National Conservation Area’’ and dated __ , 200_.
(b) MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTION.—As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a map and legal description of the Conservation Areas. The map and legal description shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except the Secretary may correct clerical and typographical errors in such map and legal description. Copies of the map and legal description shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the U.S.Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
(a) MANAGEMENT.— The Secretary, acting through the USDA Forest Service, shall manage the Conservation Areas in a manner that conserves, protects and enhances its resources and values, including those resources and values specified in subsection 4(a), in accordance with this Act, the National Forest Management Act(__ U.S.C. ___, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), and other applicable provisions of law.
(b) ACCESS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall maintain adequate access for the reasonable use and enjoyment of the Conservation Areas.
(2) PRIVATE LAND.—The Secretary shall provide reasonable access to privately owned land or interests in land within the boundaries of the Conservation Areas.
(3) EXISTING PUBLIC ROADS.—The Secretary is authorized to maintain existing public access within the boundaries of the Conservation Areas in a manner consistent with the purposes for which the Conservation Areas were established.
(4) PROHIBITION OF ROAD BUILDING — As January 1, 200_, no new roads may be constructed within the area, provided however,
(5) the Secretary is authorized to permit the alteration of roads and road alignments for the purpose of reducing erosion and sedimentation, improving wildlife habitat, and creating long term sustainability.
(6) The Secretary is authorized to decommission roads and, after native vegetation is re-established, construct a new road for the purpose of Stewardship Timber Harvest, as specified in section (c)(6). In no case shall the mileage of new road exceed the mileage of roads that were decommissioned.
(7) Vehicles with more than two wheels shall not be allowed on the Hermosa Trail, Number 514, in the San Juan National Forest, between its intersections with Dutch Creek and Coral Draw.
(c) CONSERVATION —
(1) IN GENERAL — The Secretary shall emphasize the conservation and preservation of natural resources, and restoration of biological diversity and native ecosystems within the Conservation Areas.
(2) WATER QUALITY — The Secretary shall manage the area to reduce sedimentation of watercourses and to improve water quality in the Conservation Areas.
(3) FISHERIES — The Secretary shall work to improve the fisheries within the Conservation Areas, including restoration, to an extent the Secretary deems reasonable, of native fish species and populations.
(4) WILDLIFE — The Secretary shall, in cooperation with the State of Colorado, endeavor to protect and enhance native wildlife and to recover and enhance any threatened and endangered species that may be in the Conservation Areas.
(5) VEGETATION MANAGEMENT— The Secretary shall manage non-timber vegetation to restore native plant species and populations, provide forage for native wildlife, provide forage for domestic livestock, and other purposes consistent with the purpose of the establishment of the Conservation Areas.
(6) STEWARDSHIP TIMBER HARVEST — The Secretary may permit the cutting of timber within the special management area only in those cases where in the judgment of the Secretary the cutting of such timber is required in order to control the attacks of fire, insects, or diseases or to otherwise conserve the scenery or the natural or historical objects in the area. Timber management in these areas shall incorporate the use of strategies to reduce habitat fragmentation and employ silvicultural prescriptions designed to maintain or enhance biological diversity and wildlife habitats (such as retention of standing green trees, snags, and other coarse woody debris) by providing for a high level of structural and compositional diversity in managed stands.
(7) ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION — The Secretary shall promote environmental education within the Conservation Areas.
(d) RECREATION—
(1) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary shall only allow such recreation uses of the Conservation Areas as the Secretary finds will further the purposes for which the Conservation Areas is established. The Secretary shall endeavor to ensure, through management and mitigation activities, that recreation activities have insubstantial impacts on fish, wildlife, and vegetation within the Conservation Areas.
(2) RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES— In administering the Conservation Areas, the Secretary shall provide for a broad range of recreation uses, including but not limited to hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, camping and off-highway-vehicle travel subject to the provisions of subsection (d)(3) below.
(3) MOTORIZED VEHICLES.— Except where needed for administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency, use of motorized vehicles on public lands in the Conservation Areas shall be allowed on designated roads or trails; provided that:
(i) The Secretary may, from time to time, and with public participation, revise the system of roads and trails designated for motorized use.
(ii) Vehicles with a wheelbase of more than twenty-five (25) inches wide may use designated roads only.
(4) HUNTING AND FISHING.— Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to diminish the jurisdiction of the State of Colorado with respect to fish and wildlife management, including regulation of hunting and fishing, on public lands within the Conservation Areas.
(e) BUILDINGS, STRUCTURES AND VISITOR FACILITIES.— After the date of enactment of this Act, no new fully-enclosed buildings or permanent structures may be constructed within the Conservation Areas, provided however:
(1) The Secretary is authorized to establish, in cooperation with other public or private entities as the Secretary may deem appropriate, visitor service facilities for the purpose of providing information about the historical, cultural, ecological, recreational, and other resources of the Conservation Areas.
(2) This prohibition of new buildings does not apply to any private lands held in fee ownership within the Conservation Areas.
(f) WATER FACILITIES —After the date of enactment of this Act, no new dams, diversions or other water structures may be constructed or established within the Conservation Areas, provided however that existing water conveyance structures may remain and be maintained.
(g) LIVESTOCK GRAZING — The Secretary shall endeavor to improve the management of livestock to maintain and improve water quality, native plants and wildlife, while providing sustainable opportunities for domestic grazing of forage.
Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal lands within the Conservation Areas and all lands and interests therein which are hereafter acquired by the United States are hereby withdrawn from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws, from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, from operation of the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws and from the minerals materials laws and all amendments thereto.
There is hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Title of this Act.
(a) The Congress finds the following:
(1) The protection and preservation of natural wildlife and vegetation is critical to the health of our public lands.
(2) Titles II through IV of this Act will protect wildlife and vegetation from human impacts caused through mining, logging, water projects, and building of structures and roads, but they do not fully address the impacts of recreation.
(3) Some places have particular sensitivities that warrant restrictions on recreation.
(4) The Cochetopa area of the southeastern Gunnison Basin is the lowest point on the Continental Divide in Colorado and consequently offers easy passage between the East and West Slopes, and this has made it an important corridor for wildlife.
(5) The Sewemup Mesa area along the Dolores River has high cliffs that have isolated it from human activity, allowing the development of thick, cryptogrammic soils and healthy, native vegetation.
(6) The impacts of different kinds of recreation are various and it is difficult to determine that one causes more negative effects than another.
(7) The simple number of visitors has a strong relationship to the level of impact of recreation on wildlife and vegetation.
(a) The following areas are established as Wildlife National Protection Areas:
(1) The Cochetopa Wildlife Protection Area, , consisting of ____ acres of the Gunnison Ranger District of the Gunnison National Forest and ___ acres of the Saguache District of the Rio Grande National Forest in Saguache Couny, Colorado.
(2) The Sewemup Mesa Wildlife Protection Area, consisting of ___ acres of the Montrose District of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
(b) Boundaries –
(1) The boundaries of the Cochetopa Wildlife Protection Area shall be co-terminus with the boundary of the Cochetopa National Conservation Area, as established in section 2(a)(2) of Title IV of this Act.
(2) The boundaries of the Sewemup Mesa Wildlife Protection Area shall be co-terminus with the boundary of the Sewemup Wilderness, as established in section 2(a)(12) of Title II of this Act.
(a) The Secretaries are directed to establish numerical limits on the number of visitors at one time who may visit each Wildlife National Protection Area, provided that:
(1) The numerical limits shall be based solely on the level that, in the Secretaries’ informed judgment, will provide for the long term health and protection of the native wildlife and vegetation of the area.
(2) The numerical limits shall treat all visitors as equal and shall not set different limits for different modes of travel.
(3) Ranchers engaged in management of livestock shall not be counted as “visitors” and the numerical limit shall not apply to them, nor shall their access be subject to the permits prescribed in subsection (b).
(b) The Secretaries shall establish permit systems to implement the limits on the number of visitors.
(1) The permits shall be issued on a first-come, first-served basis for all visitors.
(2) The Secretaries shall charge a fee for the permits. The Secretary shall set the amount of the fee at a level that seeks to recover the cost of administering the permits and limits, and no more.
(a) There is hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Title of this Act.