America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

3/14/2024, 4:05 AM

America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

This bill designates specified lands in Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Specifically, such lands are (1) Great Basin, (2) Grand Staircase-Escalante, (3) Moab-La Sal Canyons, (4) Henry Mountains, (5) Glen Canyon, (6) San Juan, (7) Canyonlands Basin, (8) San Rafael Swell, and (9) Book Cliffs-Greater Dinosaur.

Additionally, the bill sets forth administrative requirements for (1) the exchange of state-owned lands within such areas, (2) federal reservation of water rights, (3) measurement of setbacks for roads with adjacent wilderness, (4) authorized livestock grazing, and (5) withdrawal of such lands from disposition under certain public land laws.

Bill 118 hr 3031, also known as America's Red Rock Wilderness Act, is a piece of legislation that aims to protect and preserve the red rock wilderness areas in the United States. The bill seeks to designate certain areas in Utah as wilderness, which would prohibit any development or extraction activities in these regions.

The Red Rock Wilderness Act has been a topic of debate for many years, with environmentalists advocating for its passage in order to safeguard the unique and fragile ecosystems found in these areas. Proponents of the bill argue that protecting these wilderness areas is essential for preserving biodiversity and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the natural beauty of these landscapes.

Opponents of the bill, however, argue that designating these areas as wilderness would restrict access to valuable resources such as oil and gas, which could have economic benefits for the state of Utah. They also argue that the federal government should not have the authority to designate these areas as wilderness without input from local stakeholders. Overall, the Red Rock Wilderness Act is a contentious piece of legislation that highlights the ongoing debate between conservation efforts and economic development. It remains to be seen whether this bill will ultimately be passed into law, but it is clear that it has sparked important discussions about the balance between environmental protection and resource extraction in the United States.
Congress
118

Number
HR - 3031

Introduced on
2023-04-28

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

4/28/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

This bill designates specified lands in Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Specifically, such lands are (1) Great Basin, (2) Grand Staircase-Escalante, (3) Moab-La Sal Canyons, (4) Henry Mountains, (5) Glen Canyon, (6) San Juan, (7) Canyonlands Basin, (8) San Rafael Swell, and (9) Book Cliffs-Greater Dinosaur.

Additionally, the bill sets forth administrative requirements for (1) the exchange of state-owned lands within such areas, (2) federal reservation of water rights, (3) measurement of setbacks for roads with adjacent wilderness, (4) authorized livestock grazing, and (5) withdrawal of such lands from disposition under certain public land laws.

Bill 118 hr 3031, also known as America's Red Rock Wilderness Act, is a piece of legislation that aims to protect and preserve the red rock wilderness areas in the United States. The bill seeks to designate certain areas in Utah as wilderness, which would prohibit any development or extraction activities in these regions.

The Red Rock Wilderness Act has been a topic of debate for many years, with environmentalists advocating for its passage in order to safeguard the unique and fragile ecosystems found in these areas. Proponents of the bill argue that protecting these wilderness areas is essential for preserving biodiversity and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the natural beauty of these landscapes.

Opponents of the bill, however, argue that designating these areas as wilderness would restrict access to valuable resources such as oil and gas, which could have economic benefits for the state of Utah. They also argue that the federal government should not have the authority to designate these areas as wilderness without input from local stakeholders. Overall, the Red Rock Wilderness Act is a contentious piece of legislation that highlights the ongoing debate between conservation efforts and economic development. It remains to be seen whether this bill will ultimately be passed into law, but it is clear that it has sparked important discussions about the balance between environmental protection and resource extraction in the United States.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo designate as wilderness certain Federal portions of the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin Deserts in the State of Utah for the benefit of present and future generations of people in the United States.

Policy Areas
Public Lands and Natural Resources

Potential Impact
Land transfers
Utah
Water use and supply
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary1/11/2024

America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

This bill designates specified lands in Utah as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Specifically, such lands are (1) Great Basin, (2) Grand Staircase-Escalante, (3) Moa...


Latest Action5/22/2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.