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America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act

USA119th CongressS-1193| Senate 
| Updated: 3/27/2025
Richard J. Durbin

Richard J. Durbin

Democratic Senator

Illinois

Cosponsors (18)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Andy Kim (Democratic)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Gary C. Peters (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation, titled the "America's Red Rock Wilderness Act," seeks to designate a substantial portion of federal lands in Utah as wilderness areas. Specifically, it targets federal portions of the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin Deserts . The overarching goal is to benefit present and future generations by protecting the unique cultural, ecological, and scenic values of these landscapes. The bill outlines several key purposes, including safeguarding the ability of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to continue traditional activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and spiritual practices. It recognizes the land as a living cultural landscape, a refuge for wild nature, and vital for the continuation and revitalization of Indigenous cultures. Title I of the bill systematically designates numerous specific areas across nine major regions as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System . These regions include the Great Basin, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Moab-La Sal Canyons, Henry Mountains, Glen Canyon, San Juan, Canyonlands Basin, San Rafael Swell, and Book Cliffs-Greater Dinosaur Wilderness Areas. Each section provides findings detailing the unique characteristics and importance of the lands within that region. Title II establishes administrative provisions for these newly designated wilderness areas. They will be managed by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Wilderness Act. A significant provision addresses State school trust land located within wilderness areas, requiring the Secretary to offer an exchange of federal land of approximately equal value. The bill also reserves a quantity of water rights for each designated wilderness area, with a priority date corresponding to the act's enactment, and mandates steps to protect these rights. Furthermore, it details specific setback requirements for roads adjacent to wilderness boundaries, with exceptions for topographical barriers or existing fences to ensure manageable boundaries. Other administrative provisions ensure that existing livestock grazing authorized on the enactment date may continue under reasonable regulations consistent with wilderness management. The bill explicitly states that it does not affect the State's jurisdiction over fish and wildlife or modify any rights or obligations concerning federally recognized Indian Tribes . Finally, any newly acquired land within the wilderness boundaries will become part of the wilderness area, and the designated federal land is withdrawn from public entry, mining, and mineral leasing, subject to valid existing rights.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3056
America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1535
America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1310
America's Red Rock Wilderness Act
Mar 27, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2467
Introduced in House
Mar 27, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Mar 27, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S1908-1912)
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3056
    America's Red Rock Wilderness Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1535
    America's Red Rock Wilderness Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1310
    America's Red Rock Wilderness Act


  • March 27, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2467
    Introduced in House


  • March 27, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 27, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S1908-1912)

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2467: America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act

USA119th CongressS-1193| Senate 
| Updated: 3/27/2025
This legislation, titled the "America's Red Rock Wilderness Act," seeks to designate a substantial portion of federal lands in Utah as wilderness areas. Specifically, it targets federal portions of the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin Deserts . The overarching goal is to benefit present and future generations by protecting the unique cultural, ecological, and scenic values of these landscapes. The bill outlines several key purposes, including safeguarding the ability of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to continue traditional activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and spiritual practices. It recognizes the land as a living cultural landscape, a refuge for wild nature, and vital for the continuation and revitalization of Indigenous cultures. Title I of the bill systematically designates numerous specific areas across nine major regions as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System . These regions include the Great Basin, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Moab-La Sal Canyons, Henry Mountains, Glen Canyon, San Juan, Canyonlands Basin, San Rafael Swell, and Book Cliffs-Greater Dinosaur Wilderness Areas. Each section provides findings detailing the unique characteristics and importance of the lands within that region. Title II establishes administrative provisions for these newly designated wilderness areas. They will be managed by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and the Wilderness Act. A significant provision addresses State school trust land located within wilderness areas, requiring the Secretary to offer an exchange of federal land of approximately equal value. The bill also reserves a quantity of water rights for each designated wilderness area, with a priority date corresponding to the act's enactment, and mandates steps to protect these rights. Furthermore, it details specific setback requirements for roads adjacent to wilderness boundaries, with exceptions for topographical barriers or existing fences to ensure manageable boundaries. Other administrative provisions ensure that existing livestock grazing authorized on the enactment date may continue under reasonable regulations consistent with wilderness management. The bill explicitly states that it does not affect the State's jurisdiction over fish and wildlife or modify any rights or obligations concerning federally recognized Indian Tribes . Finally, any newly acquired land within the wilderness boundaries will become part of the wilderness area, and the designated federal land is withdrawn from public entry, mining, and mineral leasing, subject to valid existing rights.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3056
America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1535
America's Red Rock Wilderness Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1310
America's Red Rock Wilderness Act
Mar 27, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2467
Introduced in House
Mar 27, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Mar 27, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S1908-1912)
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3056
    America's Red Rock Wilderness Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1535
    America's Red Rock Wilderness Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1310
    America's Red Rock Wilderness Act


  • March 27, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2467
    Introduced in House


  • March 27, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 27, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text: CR S1908-1912)
Richard J. Durbin

Richard J. Durbin

Democratic Senator

Illinois

Cosponsors (18)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Christopher Murphy (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Andy Kim (Democratic)Maria Cantwell (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Gary C. Peters (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2467: America's Red Rock Wilderness Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted