H.R. 3369: Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

This bill, known as the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, seeks to designate and expand wilderness areas within the Olympic National Forest in Washington State and to designate certain rivers as wild and scenic. Here’s a breakdown of the main components:

Wilderness Designation

The legislation aims to designate approximately 126,554 acres of federal land within the Olympic National Forest as protected wilderness areas. These designations include:

• Lost Creek Wilderness: Comprised of about 7,159 acres.
• Rugged Ridge Wilderness: Approximately 5,956 acres.
• Alckee Creek Wilderness: About 1,787 acres.
• Gates of the Elwha Wilderness: Roughly 5,669 acres.
• Buckhorn Wilderness Additions: Includes 21,965 acres added to the existing Buckhorn Wilderness.
• Green Mountain Wilderness: About 4,790 acres.
• The Brothers Wilderness Additions: Approximately 8,625 acres added to the Brothers Wilderness.
• Mount Skokomish Wilderness Additions: About 8,933 acres added to the Mount Skokomish Wilderness.
• Wonder Mountain Wilderness Additions: About 26,517 acres added to the existing Wonder Mountain Wilderness.
• Moonlight Dome Wilderness: Roughly 9,117 acres.
• South Quinault Ridge Wilderness: Approximately 10,887 acres.
• Colonel Bob Wilderness Additions: Comprising about 353 acres added to Colonel Bob Wilderness.
• Sams River Wilderness: Approximately 13,418 acres.
• Canoe Creek Wilderness: About 1,378 acres.

Administration

The designated wilderness areas will be managed by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the Wilderness Act. The legislation allows for the recognition of existing rights and requires the Secretary to file maps and descriptions of these designated areas.

Potential Wilderness Areas

The bill also designates certain federal land (approximately 5,346 acres) as potential wilderness. Upon termination of any nonconforming uses within these areas, they will automatically be designated as wilderness.

River Designations

Key river segments within the Olympic National Forest will be added to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This includes specific segments of:

• Elwha River
• Dungeness River
• Big Quilcene River
• Dosewallips River
• Duckabush River
• Hamma Hamma River
• South Fork Skokomish River
• Middle Fork Satsop River
• Quinault River
• Hoh River
• Other smaller river segments

These designations will ensure that the rivers are protected for their natural, cultural, and recreational values, with management shared between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior as applicable.

Restoration and Management Updates

The bill allows for restoration activities related to river and species recovery. It also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to update management plans for forest lands to reflect the new designations within three years after the enactment of the bill.

Existing Rights and Withdrawal

Current rights held by private parties are preserved, and the designated river areas and wilderness lands are withdrawn from mining and other activities that could disrupt their natural state.

Treaty Rights

The legislation upholds the reserved treaty rights of any Indian Tribe with respect to hunting, fishing, gathering, and other cultural or religious practices.

Relevant Companies

None found.