PUBLIC Lands Act

# Summary of the California Protected Areas Legislation This legislation designates and protects numerous natural areas across California through multiple titles: ## Key Designations 1. **Wilderness Areas**: The bill designates numerous new wilderness areas and additions, including: - Caliente Mountain Wilderness (35,116 acres) - Soda Lake Wilderness (13,332 acres) - Temblor Range Wilderness (12,585 acres) - Condor Peak Wilderness (8,207 acres) - Yerba Buena Wilderness (6,694 acres) - And many others across the Central Coast and San Gabriel Mountains regions 2. **Scenic Areas**: Establishes: - Condor Ridge Scenic Area (18,666 acres) - Black Mountain Scenic Area (16,216 acres) 3. **Wild and Scenic Rivers**: Designates segments of numerous waterways as wild, scenic, or recreational rivers, including: - East Fork San Gabriel River - North Fork San Gabriel River - West Fork San Gabriel River - Little Rock Creek and tributaries - Indian Creek - Mono Creek - Matilija Creek - Sisquoc River 4. **National Monument**: Modifies the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument to include approximately 109,167 additional acres. ## Key Provisions - **Administration**: Establishes management requirements for wilderness areas, scenic areas, and wild and scenic rivers in accordance with the Wilderness Act and other relevant laws. - **Special Use Authorizations**: Permits continued operation of existing water diversions and electrical facilities within wilderness areas under specific conditions. - **Native American Access**: Ensures access for Native American tribes to wilderness areas for traditional cultural and religious purposes, with provisions for temporary closures. - **Trail Management**: Allows for trail construction, reconstruction, and realignment within potential wilderness areas to accommodate existing uses while minimizing impacts. - **Water Rights**: Explicitly states that the legislation does not affect existing water rights or establish new water rights. - **Fire Management**: Permits necessary fire management activities in wilderness areas while maintaining wilderness character. This legislation significantly expands protected lands in California, balancing conservation with existing uses and activities, while providing clear management frameworks for these newly designated areas.