Bill > S1737

This bill designates and expands wilderness areas in Olympic National Forest in Washington State and designates several rivers in Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park as wild and scenic rivers. The bill creates or expands multiple wilderness areas totaling approximately 126,554 acres, including the Lost Creek, Rugged Ridge, Gates of the Elwha, Green Mountain, and Moonlight Dome Wilderness areas, among others. It also adds significant acreage to existing wilderness areas like Buckhorn, The Brothers, Mount Skokomish, and Wonder Mountain. The bill designates numerous river segments along the Elwha, Dungeness, Big Quilcene, Dosewallips, Duckabush, Hamma Hamma, South Fork Skokomish, and several other rivers as wild, scenic, or recreational rivers, with specific management responsibilities assigned to the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior. The legislation ensures that existing rights are preserved, does not alter tribal treaty rights, and provides for potential future land management adjustments. The bill aims to protect and preserve the ecological and recreational value of these wilderness and river areas while maintaining existing uses and rights.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1737/all-info