The Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act aims to significantly expand the existing Smith River National Recreation Area (SRNRA) by incorporating new lands within the State of Oregon. This expansion involves updating the SRNRA's boundaries to include areas depicted on a new map dated January 23, 2023, and extending administrative and management provisions to these newly added Oregon portions. The bill clarifies that the Kalmiopsis Wilderness within the expanded area will be managed under the Wilderness Act and ensures the continued application of the Northwest Forest Plan and the Roadless Rule to relevant Oregon sections. A key provision mandates the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive study within five years of the newly added Oregon areas, inventorying their natural features, plants, animals, and water resources. Following this study, applicable management plans must be modified to fully protect these inventoried values, with a report submitted to Congress detailing the findings. The Act also facilitates land acquisition, specifically directing the acquisition of the 555-acre Cedar Creek Parcel in Oregon, subject to funding and state resolution. Furthermore, the bill makes significant additions to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by designating numerous segments of the North Fork Smith River's source tributaries in Oregon as "wild rivers." These designations, totaling many miles across various creeks like Baldface, Taylor, Cedar, and Chrome Creeks, recognize their outstanding anadromous fish, prehistoric, cultural, botanical, recreational, and water quality values. The bill also reclassifies and expands existing Smith River designations to include segments in Oregon, such as portions of the mainstem as a recreational river and Rowdy Creek as both wild and recreational. Finally, the legislation ensures the protection of Tribal rights , requiring the Secretary to seek a memorandum of understanding with applicable Indian Tribes for access to the Oregon portions of the recreation area for cultural activities and for developing interpretive information, while also extending state and local jurisdiction to include the State of Oregon.
CaliforniaFederal-Indian relationsForests, forestry, treesGeography and mappingLakes and riversLand transfersLand use and conservationOregonParks, recreation areas, trailsWetlandsWilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act
USA119th CongressHR-5041| House
| Updated: 8/26/2025
The Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act aims to significantly expand the existing Smith River National Recreation Area (SRNRA) by incorporating new lands within the State of Oregon. This expansion involves updating the SRNRA's boundaries to include areas depicted on a new map dated January 23, 2023, and extending administrative and management provisions to these newly added Oregon portions. The bill clarifies that the Kalmiopsis Wilderness within the expanded area will be managed under the Wilderness Act and ensures the continued application of the Northwest Forest Plan and the Roadless Rule to relevant Oregon sections. A key provision mandates the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive study within five years of the newly added Oregon areas, inventorying their natural features, plants, animals, and water resources. Following this study, applicable management plans must be modified to fully protect these inventoried values, with a report submitted to Congress detailing the findings. The Act also facilitates land acquisition, specifically directing the acquisition of the 555-acre Cedar Creek Parcel in Oregon, subject to funding and state resolution. Furthermore, the bill makes significant additions to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by designating numerous segments of the North Fork Smith River's source tributaries in Oregon as "wild rivers." These designations, totaling many miles across various creeks like Baldface, Taylor, Cedar, and Chrome Creeks, recognize their outstanding anadromous fish, prehistoric, cultural, botanical, recreational, and water quality values. The bill also reclassifies and expands existing Smith River designations to include segments in Oregon, such as portions of the mainstem as a recreational river and Rowdy Creek as both wild and recreational. Finally, the legislation ensures the protection of Tribal rights , requiring the Secretary to seek a memorandum of understanding with applicable Indian Tribes for access to the Oregon portions of the recreation area for cultural activities and for developing interpretive information, while also extending state and local jurisdiction to include the State of Oregon.
CaliforniaFederal-Indian relationsForests, forestry, treesGeography and mappingLakes and riversLand transfersLand use and conservationOregonParks, recreation areas, trailsWetlandsWilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats