H.R. 6783

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6783 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6783

To provide for conservation on Federal lands in Southern California, 
and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 17, 2025

Ms. Chu (for herself, Ms. Barragan, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. 
Cisneros, Ms. Friedman, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Garcia of California, Mr. 
Huffman, Ms. Kamlager-Dove, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. Mullin, Mr. 
Nadler, Ms. Sanchez, Mr. Sherman, Ms. Simon, Mr. Swalwell, Mr. Takano, 
and Ms. Waters) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide for conservation on Federal lands in Southern California, 
and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``San Gabriel 
Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--WILDERNESS DESIGNATION

Sec. 101. Designation of wilderness.
Sec. 102. Administration of wilderness.
TITLE II--WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS

Sec. 111. Wild and scenic rivers designation.
Sec. 112. Wild and scenic rivers study.
TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS

Sec. 121. Maps and legal descriptions.
Sec. 122. Updates to land and resource management plans.
Sec. 123. Use by members of Indian Tribes.
Sec. 124. Reauthorization of existing water facilities in Pleasant View 
Ridge Wilderness.

TITLE I--WILDERNESS DESIGNATION

SEC. 101. DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS.

In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the 
following land within California is designated as wilderness and as a 
component of the National Wilderness Preservation System:
(1) Condor peak wilderness.--Certain Federal land within 
the Angeles National Forest, comprising approximately 8,207 
acres, as generally depicted on the map titled ``Condor Peak 
Wilderness--Proposed'' and dated June 6, 2019, which shall be 
known as the ``Condor Peak Wilderness''.
(2) San gabriel wilderness additions.--Certain Federal land 
within the Angeles National Forest, comprising approximately 
2,032 acres, as generally depicted on the map titled ``San 
Gabriel Wilderness Additions'' and dated June 6, 2019, which is 
incorporated in, and considered to be a part of, the San 
Gabriel Wilderness designated by Public Law 90-318 (16 U.S.C. 
1132 note; 82 Stat. 131).
(3) Sheep mountain wilderness additions.--Certain Federal 
land within the Angeles National Forest, comprising 
approximately 11,938 acres, as generally depicted on the map 
titled ``Sheep Mountain Wilderness Additions'' and dated 
November 14, 2023, which is incorporated in, and considered to 
be a part of, the Sheep Mountain Wilderness designated by 
section 101(a)(29) of the California Wilderness Act of 1984 (16 
U.S.C. 1132 note).
(4) Yerba buena wilderness.--Certain Federal land within 
the Angeles National Forest, comprising approximately 6,694 
acres, as generally depicted on the map titled ``Yerba Buena 
Wilderness--Proposed'' and dated June 6, 2019, which shall be 
known as the ``Yerba Buena Wilderness''.

SEC. 102. ADMINISTRATION OF WILDERNESS.

(a) In General.--Subject to valid existing rights, land designated 
as wilderness and as a component of the National Wilderness 
Preservation System by section 101 (referred to in this Act as a 
``wilderness area'') shall be administered by the Secretary of 
Agriculture in accordance with this title and the Wilderness Act (16 
U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that any reference in the Wilderness Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) to the effective date of that Act (16 U.S.C. 
1131 et seq.) shall be considered to be a reference to the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
(b) Fire Management and Related Activities.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture may carry out 
any activities in a wilderness area as are necessary for the 
control of fire, insects, or disease in accordance with section 
4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)).
(2) Revision and development of local fire management 
plans.--As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall amend the local 
information in the Fire Management Reference System of the 
Forest Service or individual operational plan that applies to 
each wilderness area.
(3) Funding priorities.--Nothing in this title limits 
funding for fire or fuels management in a wilderness area.
(4) Administration.--In accordance with paragraph (1) and 
any other applicable Federal law, to ensure a timely and 
efficient response to a fire emergency in a wilderness area, 
the Secretary of Agriculture shall--
(A) not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, establish agency approval 
procedures (including appropriate delegations of 
authority to the Forest Supervisor and the head of any 
other applicable agency for responding to fire 
emergencies); and
(B) enter into agreements with appropriate State or 
local firefighting agencies.
(c) Fish and Wildlife.--
(1) In general.--In accordance with section 4(d)(7) of the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(7)), nothing in this title 
affects the jurisdiction or responsibilities of California with 
respect to fish and wildlife in California.
(2) Management activities.--In support of the purposes and 
principles of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the 
Secretary of Agriculture may conduct any management activity 
that the Secretary determines to be necessary to maintain or 
restore a fish, wildlife, or plant population or habitat in a 
wilderness area, if the management activity is conducted in 
accordance with--
(A) an applicable wilderness management plan;
(B) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); 
and
(C) appropriate policies, such as the policies 
established in Appendix B of the report of the 
Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House 
of Representatives accompanying H.R. 2570 of the 101st 
Congress (H. Rept. 101-405).
(d) Buffer Zones.--
(1) In general.--Nothing in this title establishes a 
protective perimeter or buffer zone around a wilderness area.
(2) Outside activities or uses.--The fact that a 
nonwilderness activity or use can be seen or heard from within 
a wilderness area does not preclude the activity or use outside 
the boundary of the wilderness area.
(e) Military Activities.--Nothing in this title precludes--
(1) low-level overflights of military aircraft over a 
wilderness area;
(2) the designation of a new unit of special airspace over 
a wilderness area; or
(3) the use or establishment of a military flight training 
route over a wilderness area.
(f) Horses.--Nothing in this title precludes horseback riding in, 
or the entry of recreational or commercial saddle or pack stock into, a 
wilderness area--
(1) in accordance with section 4(d)(5) of the Wilderness 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(5)); and
(2) subject to any terms and conditions the Secretary of 
Agriculture determines necessary.
(g) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, each wilderness 
area is withdrawn from--
(1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under 
the public land laws;
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3) operation of the mineral materials and geothermal 
leasing laws.
(h) Incorporation of Acquired Land and Interests.--Any land within 
the boundary of a wilderness area that is acquired by the United States 
shall--
(1) become part of the wilderness area in which the land is 
located;
(2) be withdrawn in accordance with subsection (g); and
(3) be managed in accordance with--
(A) this section;
(B) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); 
and
(C) any other applicable law.
(i) Climatological Data Collection.--In accordance with the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and subject to such terms and 
conditions as the Secretary of Agriculture may prescribe, the Secretary 
may authorize the installation and maintenance of hydrologic, 
meteorologic, or climatological collection devices in a wilderness area 
if the Secretary determines that the devices and access to the devices 
are essential to a flood warning, flood control, or water reservoir 
operation activity.
(j) Recreational Climbing.--Nothing in this title prohibits 
recreational rock climbing activities in a wilderness area, such as the 
placement, use, and maintenance of fixed anchors, including any fixed 
anchor established before the date of the enactment of this Act--
(1) in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 
et seq.) and other applicable laws; and
(2) subject to any terms and conditions the Secretary of 
Agriculture determines necessary.

TITLE II--WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS

SEC. 111. WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS DESIGNATION.

Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(233) Little rock creek, california.--The following 
segments of Little Rock Creek and its tributaries, to be 
administered by the Secretary of Agriculture:
``(A) The 10.3-mile segment from its source on Mt. 
Williamson in sec. 6, T. 3 N., R. 9 W., to 100 yards 
upstream of the confluence with the South Fork Little 
Rock Creek, as a wild river.
``(B) The 6.6-mile segment from 100 yards upstream 
of the confluence with the South Fork Little Rock Creek 
to the confluence with Santiago Canyon, as a 
recreational river.
``(C) The 1-mile segment of Cooper Canyon Creek 
from 0.25 miles downstream of Highway 2 to 100 yards 
downstream of Cooper Canyon Campground, as a scenic 
river.
``(D) The 1.3-mile segment of Cooper Canyon Creek 
from 100 yards downstream of Cooper Canyon Campground 
to the confluence with Little Rock Creek, as a wild 
river.
``(E) The 1-mile segment of Buckhorn Creek from 100 
yards downstream of the Buckhorn Campground to its 
confluence with Cooper Canyon Creek, as a wild 
river.''.

SEC. 112. WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS STUDY.

(a) Designation for Study.--Section 5(a) of the Wild and Scenic 
Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1276(a)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
``(147) East fork san gabriel river, california.--The 12.7-
mile segment from the confluence of the Prairie Fork and 
Vincent Gulch to 100 yards upstream of the confluence with 
Williams Canyon.
``(148) North fork san gabriel river, california.--The 4.3-
mile segment from the confluence with Cloudburst Canyon to 0.25 
miles upstream of the confluence with the West Fork San Gabriel 
River.
``(149) West fork san gabriel river, california.--The 8.3-
mile segment from 0.25 miles downstream of its source near Red 
Box Gap in sec. 14, T. 2 N., R. 12 W., to the confluence with 
Bobcat Canyon.''.
(b) Study and Report.--Section 5(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1276(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(24) East fork san gabriel river, california; north fork 
san gabriel river, california; west fork san gabriel river, 
california.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the 
date on which funds are made available to carry out 
this paragraph, the Secretary of Agriculture shall--
``(i) complete each of the studies 
described in paragraphs (147) through (149) of 
subsection (a); and
``(ii) submit to Congress a report 
describing the results of each such study.
``(B) Study requirement.--In carrying out each of 
the studies described in paragraphs (147) through (149) 
of subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
identify opportunities to administer the segment 
described in each such paragraph in partnership with 
State, regional, local, and community stakeholders.''.

TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS

SEC. 121. MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.

(a) In General.--As soon as practicable after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall prepare a map 
and legal description of each wilderness area.
(b) Force of Law.--Each map and legal description prepared under 
subsection (a) shall have the same force and effect as if included in 
this title, except that the Secretary of Agriculture may correct any 
clerical or typographical error in the maps and legal descriptions.
(c) Public Availability.--Each map and legal description prepared 
under subsection (a) shall be kept on file and available for public 
inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service.

SEC. 122. UPDATES TO LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANS.

As soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Agriculture shall incorporate the designations and 
studies required by this Act into updated management plans for the 
Angeles National Forest.

SEC. 123. USE BY MEMBERS OF INDIAN TRIBES.

(a) Access.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure that Indian 
Tribes have access, in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
1131 et seq.), to the wilderness areas, wild and scenic river, and the 
wild scenic river study streams designated by this Act for traditional 
cultural and religious purposes.
(b) Temporary Closures.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary of Agriculture, on request of an Indian Tribe, may 
temporarily close to the general public 1 or more specific 
portions of the wilderness areas, wild and scenic river, and 
the wild scenic river study streams designated by this Act to 
protect the privacy of the members of the Indian Tribe in the 
conduct of traditional cultural and religious activities.
(2) Requirement.--Any closure under paragraph (1) shall 
be--
(A) made in such a manner as to affect the smallest 
practicable area for the minimum period of time 
necessary for the activity to be carried out; and
(B) be consistent with--
(i) Public Law 95-341 (commonly known as 
the ``American Indian Religious Freedom Act'') 
(42 U.S.C. 1996 et seq.);
(ii) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et 
seq.); and
(iii) the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 
U.S.C. 1276 et seq.).

SEC. 124. REAUTHORIZATION OF EXISTING WATER FACILITIES IN PLEASANT VIEW 
RIDGE WILDERNESS.

(a) Authorization for Continued Use.--The Secretary of Agriculture 
may issue a special use authorization to the owners of a water 
transport or diversion facility (referred to in this section as a 
``facility'') located on National Forest System land in the Pleasant 
View Ridge Wilderness for the continued operation, maintenance, and 
reconstruction of the facility if the Secretary determines that--
(1) the facility was in existence on the date on which the 
land on which the facility is located was designated as part of 
the National Wilderness Preservation System (referred to in 
this section as ``the date of designation'');
(2) the facility has been in substantially continuous use 
to deliver water for the beneficial use on the non-Federal land 
of the owner since the date of designation;
(3) the owner of the facility holds a valid water right for 
use of the water on the non-Federal land of the owner under 
State law, with a priority date that predates the date of 
designation; and
(4) it is not practicable or feasible to relocate the 
facility to land outside of the Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness 
and continue the beneficial use of water on the non-Federal 
land recognized under State law.
(b) Terms and Conditions.--A special use authorization issued under 
this section shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the 
Secretary determines appropriate to protect wilderness resources and 
values.
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