H.R. 3971: Flatside Wilderness Additions Act

This bill, known as the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act, proposes the designation of additional wilderness areas within the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas. Here are the key components of the bill:

Designation of Wilderness Areas

The bill aims to amend the Arkansas Wilderness Act of 1984, specifically by adding approximately 2,212 acres of land in the Ouachita National Forest to the existing wilderness designation. This added area will be referred to as the "Flatside-Bethune Wilderness." The map showing this proposed wilderness designation is titled "Flatside Wilderness, Proposed Addition Designation," and it is dated November 12, 2024.

Management Authority

While the bill expands designated wilderness areas, it clarifies that it does not limit the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture over these areas with respect to managing fires, insects, and diseases. This means that existing laws and regulations regarding the management of these environmental threats will still apply, maintaining governmental authority to take necessary actions to protect the wilderness.

References to Wilderness Designation

The bill will ensure that any references to the designated area in laws, maps, or other governmental documents will use the new name "Flatside-Bethune Wilderness." This promotes consistent terminology across various official sources.

Reporting and Legislative Process

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 9, 2023, and has passed through various legislative stages, including being reported with amendments on December 12, 2024. Its current status is that it has been committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union for further discussion and consideration.

Summary of Implications

The primary implication of this bill, if enacted, is the protection and preservation of additional forest land in Arkansas, formally designating it as wilderness. This designation typically includes restrictions on development and certain types of human activities, helping to conserve the natural environment.

Relevant Companies

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