Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

This bill, titled the "Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act," designates and expands wilderness areas within the Olympic National Forest in Washington State, encompassing approximately 126,554 acres. These newly designated areas, such as Lost Creek Wilderness , Rugged Ridge Wilderness , and Moonlight Dome Wilderness , along with additions to existing wilderness areas like Buckhorn and The Brothers , will be managed as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System under the Wilderness Act. Additionally, the bill designates approximately 5,346 acres as "potential wilderness," which will transition to full wilderness status once any nonconforming uses cease. The legislation specifies that these wilderness designations do not create protective perimeters or buffer zones, allowing activities outside boundaries, and permits the Secretary to take necessary measures for fire, insect, and disease control. The Act significantly amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by adding numerous river segments in Olympic National Forest and Olympic National Park to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. These include the Elwha River as a wild river, and segments of the Dungeness River , Big Quilcene River , and many others, classified as wild, scenic, or recreational, with administration split between the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture. The bill authorizes activities focused on river restoration, recovery of endangered or threatened species, and restoring ecological and hydrological function within the designated river segments. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to update land and resource management plans for National Forest System units within three years (or five years with justification) to incorporate these new river designations. Finally, the legislation explicitly states that it does not affect or abrogate existing private rights, privileges, or contracts, nor does it modify the management of land by the Washington Department of Natural Resources. It withdraws the designated river segments from public land laws, mining laws, and mineral/geothermal leasing, and affirms that it does not alter or diminish the reserved treaty rights of any Indian Tribe.