PUBLIC Lands Act

Fire Resilience and Safety: The establishment of the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area aims to maintain fire-resilient forests and reduce the threat of wildfires to neighboring communities (Section 101(c)).

Environmental Protection: The bill includes purposes to protect and restore aquatic habitats, anadromous fisheries, and water quality (Section 101(c)).

Land Remediation: The California Public Land Remediation Partnership is established to facilitate the recovery of land and water degraded by illegal marijuana cultivation or other illegal activities (Section 102(a)).

Expanded Recreational Opportunities: The bill provides for the creation of various trails, such as the Bigfoot National Recreation Trail and the Elk Camp Ridge Recreation Trail, as well as studies for more trails (Sections 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, and 206).

Visitor Services: The bill authorizes the establishment of visitor centers in Weaverville (Trinity Lake) and Del Norte County to serve visitors and interpret natural and cultural resources (Sections 208 and 209).

Land Conservation: The bill designates numerous areas as wilderness, potential wilderness, scenic areas, or special management areas to conserve and protect ecological, scenic, and cultural resources (Sections 301, 303, 306, and 307).

Community Involvement: The Secretary is required to solicit input from collaborative groups including State and local government representatives and multiple interested persons when developing restoration and fire management plans (Section 101(e)).

Water Facility Continuity: Facilities that were in existence at the time of designation, have been used continuously for water delivery, and hold valid water rights can continue to operate, maintain, or be reconstructed (Section 405, subsection a).

Cultural and Religious Access: The Secretary must ensure that Indian Tribes have access to the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area, wilderness areas, scenic areas, special management areas, and potential wilderness areas for traditional cultural and religious purposes (Section 405, subsection a).

Privacy Protection for Tribes: Indian Tribes can request temporary closures of specific portions of designated areas to protect their privacy while conducting traditional cultural and religious activities (Section 405, subsection b, paragraph 1).

Restrictions on Land Use: The designation of wilderness areas and scenic areas involves withdrawing land from various forms of entry, appropriation, disposal, and mineral/geothermal leasing (Sections 101(h), 301, and 306(e)).

Limitations on Motorized Access: Within scenic areas, the use of motorized vehicles and the establishment of temporary roads are generally prohibited unless necessary for administration or public health and safety (Section 306(f)).

Management Restrictions: Special management areas and wilderness areas come with specific management rules that may restrict certain activities (Sections 302 and 307).

Restricted Public Access: Specific portions of wilderness, scenic, or potential wilderness areas may be temporarily closed to the general public at the request of an Indian Tribe (Section 405, subsection b, paragraph 1).