Bill Summary
The Southwestern Oregon Watershed and Salmon Protection Act of 2023 is a bill that proposes to withdraw certain federal land in Curry County and Josephine County in Oregon from being used for any public land laws, mining laws, or mineral leasing laws. This withdrawal would not affect any existing recreational, hunting, fishing, or forest management activities already taking place on the land. The bill also includes definitions and maps of the specific land that would be affected by the withdrawal. It is meant to protect the watershed and salmon in the region.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could affect people who currently use the eligible federal land for recreational activities, such as hiking, camping, hunting, or fishing. These individuals may be restricted from accessing the land due to the withdrawal of the land for public use.
2. The legislation could also affect individuals or companies who have existing mining or mineral leasing operations on the eligible federal land. They may no longer be able to continue these activities and may need to find alternative locations or sources.
3. The withdrawal of the federal land may also impact local economies, particularly in the counties of Curry and Josephine in Oregon. The land may have been a source of revenue or job opportunities for these communities, and the withdrawal could result in economic changes for the residents.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5004 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5004
To withdraw certain land located in Curry County and Josephine County,
Oregon, from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the
public land laws, location, entry, and patent under the mining laws,
and operation under the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 27, 2023
Ms. Hoyle of Oregon (for herself and Mr. Huffman) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To withdraw certain land located in Curry County and Josephine County,
Oregon, from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the
public land laws, location, entry, and patent under the mining laws,
and operation under the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws,
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.
This Act may be cited as the ``Southwestern Oregon Watershed and
Salmon Protection Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. WITHDRAWAL OF FEDERAL LAND, CURRY COUNTY AND JOSEPHINE COUNTY,
OREGON.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible federal land.--The term ``eligible Federal
land'' means--
(A) any federally owned land or interest in land
depicted on the Maps as within the Hunter Creek and
Pistol River Headwaters Withdrawal Proposal or the
Rough and Ready and Baldface Creeks Mineral Withdrawal
Proposal; or
(B) any land or interest in land located within
such withdrawal proposals that is acquired by the
Federal Government after the date of enactment of this
Act.
(2) Maps.--The term ``Maps'' means--
(A) the Bureau of Land Management map entitled
``Hunter Creek and Pistol River Headwaters Withdrawal
Proposal'' and dated January 12, 2015; and
(B) the Bureau of Land Management map entitled
``Rough and Ready and Baldface Creeks Mineral
Withdrawal Proposal'' and dated January 12, 2015.
(b) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the eligible
Federal land is withdrawn from all forms of--
(1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land
laws;
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3) operation under the mineral leasing and geothermal
leasing laws.
(c) Availability of Maps.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Maps shall be made available to the public
at each appropriate office of the Bureau of Land Management.
(d) Existing Uses Not Affected.--Except with respect to the
withdrawal under subsection (b), nothing in this section restricts
recreational uses, hunting, fishing, forest management activities, or
other authorized uses allowed on the date of enactment of this Act on
the eligible Federal land in accordance with applicable law.
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