Cliffnotes of the Zeitgeist, 70th Edition. Inside Wyoming Political Baseball

Gray and Hageman play political checkers.

Credible rumors have it that Harriet Hageman is going to run for Governor in 2026 and Chuck Gray for Congress.  A deal, it's rumored, has been worked out between them and their minions.

Hmmm. . . 

Well, it makes some sense.  Hageman ran for Governor before and lost, in part because the far right split between Hageman and Carpetbagger Mega Donor Foster Friese, who introduced the Dukes of Hazard style politics into the state, complete with freezing Daisy Dukes, unsuccessfully.  Now with the far right ascendant, Hageman can figure, with good reason, that she can achieve the Governor's office and eclipse her late father in Wyoming politics.  

And Gray, for his part, has no real connection with Wyoming whatsoever.  It'd make lots of sense that he'd prefer to relocate to Washington D.C. and plot his next move.  That move probably was a run at the Governor's mansion but there's enough uncertainty in that for him to hesitate if something else was available, and if this is correct, there is. That's place him at the eye of the populist hurricane, where he'd probably rather be, over being in the office he's currently in, which deals with a lot of very important, but fairly boring, stuff.

Of course, politics is fickle.  By 2026, if Trump is still in office, the public may be really mad over a major tariff caused recession, or perhaps whatever Putin has on Trump, if anything, is finally revealed as Putin and his bodyguard of dispossessed North Korean flunkies go down in flames in the Kremlin.  Or maybe age or dementia will have caught up with Trump and J. D. Vance will be in office such that real bonafide major social changes will have come into play such that comfortable right wing and pseudo right wing Wyomingites in Wyoming now a-bed shall come to hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks for a variety of reasons, including that certain conduct they hold themselves blameless for shall be anathematized.

More probably, a growing current rumble that out of state populists now running the show in Wyoming politics are out of touch with real Wyomingite's views on public land may spark a sagebrush level revolt and a legislature shift.  This has happened twice before in Wyoming's politics, once in the 1890s and once in the 1990s, in the first instance due to an attempt by the out of state megawealthy to drive out local small ranching and in the second time due to an effort, following the Sagebrush Rebellion of the 1980s, to turn ownership of wildlife over to agricultural interests.  In the first instance the Democrats actually took control of the legislature and Governor's office, albeit only briefly, and Republicans who survived that change their tunes.  In the second instance there was a huge backlash against the GOP which very much hurt it, including arguably the career of Congressman Hageman's father.  Similar actions and impacts have been going on for the past several years in Utah.

What will occur, of course, is yet to be seen.  The ability of human beings to predict the future is notoriously bad, in politics as in everything else.  Just a few years ago the Republican Party was regarded as headed into inevitable oblivion and nobody could have seen the developments that rescued, and changed it.  Two years is a long time.

Nickel and Diming

The Wyoming Freedom Caucus puts its cards on the table in the form of its "five and dime" plan for the 2025 legislature, and unfortunate plan name as around here, an expense related slur is to "nickel and dime (something) to death.

Indeed, the agenda, which is frankly more modest than I would have expected for a group that's spent years calling everyone the "uniparty" and which has threatened to ride in like cossacks, burn villages, and save everyone's cats, doesn't seek to do all that much in context.

It's almost like now that they have to govern, they're reticent to try to much.

Thier agenda for the 2025 legislature is below:

ELECTION INTEGRITY: Require Proof of WY Residency & US Citizenship When Registering to Vote

- WHAT: Create clear statutory authority for the Wyoming Secretary of State to promulgate rules requiring voters to prove WY residency and to ensure that non-citizens cannot register to vote in WY.

- WHY: No requirement exists for voters to prove their WY residency or US citizenship status. This simple fix will better secure our elections and bolster confidence in our election system.

Not too surprisingly, this is sort of horseshit.  You have to verify your address, already, every time you vote. We've been doing it for years.  Now we have to present a photo ID as well.  

Oh, I'll do it.  I'll present piles of stuff showing that I'm an actual Wyomingites and didn't move in from somewhere as a Freedom Caucuser.

The real threat here is that the rules our Secretary of State (from California) comes up with are so onerous that it discourages voting.  The irony is that the "Wyoming" Freedom Caucus has, at least up until this year, pretty much been "I moved here form somewhere else and now nothing about Wyoming but I watched Gunsmoke on Me TV Caucus".  Some of  them might have a little bit of trouble proving residence.

IMMIGRATION ACCOUNTABILITY: Invalidate Driver Licenses Issued to Illegals by Other Jurisdictions

- WHAT: Invalidate driver licenses issued to illegal aliens present in WY.

- WHY: An estimated 9 million + illegal aliens have entered the US since 2021. Nineteen states and D.C. issue licenses to illegal immigrants– Wyoming does not. This simple bill will help WY crack down on illegal immigration and to ensure consistency in our statutes and rules.

Bill previously written (SF0120, 2024)

Wyoming has no legal authority to invalidate another state's driver's licenses, and the full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution makes that illegal. 

People who have taken an oath to the Constitution, by the way, like the legislators, can't back this without violating their oath.

STOPPING THE WOKE AGENDA AT UW: Prohibiting D.E.I. in Higher Education

- WHAT: Prohibit the University of WY and Wyoming’s Community Colleges from engaging in discriminatory hiring or continuing education requirements that place moral, historical, or other blame on a person or group of people on the basis of immutable characteristics.

- WHY: It is illegal to discriminate on the basis of any immutable characteristic. As the Equality State, WY should be proud to codify additional protections against discrimination. With continually declining enrollment rates at UW, dumping “woke” DEI programming will attract the free thinking cowboys and cowgirls we want attending our university.

There isn't a "woke" agenda at UW.  That's insulting, and its not true.

For some reason, Freedom Caucusers really like to take shots at education.  The rise of home schooling in this same period is notable. Wyoming has excellent public schools that another one of these agenda items would wreck, but there's an obvious flat out distrust of education.

Indeed, the "woke" college thing has become a real populist whipping boy.  Most UW students are there as they're local or taking advantage of a good school that has a reasonable tuition.  The school is hardly "woke".

At some point, quite frankly, it will be worth asking members of the WFC what their education actually is.  I'd be interested in hearing it.  Anyone who is highly educated will encounter somebody at some point who just doesn't trust education.  If you become educated you'll learn, for example, that the Earth is billions of years old, that we evolved from other prior primates, and that none of this is a threat to a rational faith.  For some, that's threatening in the extreme.

PROTECTING OUR CORE INDUSTRIES: Ban woke investment strategies for the State of Wyoming’s trust fund.

- WHAT:: Prohibit the State of Wyoming from investing in funds that prioritize “environmental, social, or governance” standards over funds promising the highest financial rate of return.

- WHY: Wyoming should not invest tax dollars with entities who do not seek the highest rate of return and who are out to destroy and eliminate our core industries.

Bill previously written (SF0172, 2023)

Investing in the "highest rate of return" means you will invest in things that aren't necessary in line with our core industries, some of which are a bad economic bet right now.

The "environmental" aspect of this relates to something set out immediately above.  Lots of industries, with staffs of educated men and women, are concerned about environmental matters including global warming.  The WFC tends to believe that Wyoming's economy is and always will be based on coal, and therefore climate change is a big fib.

CUTTING TAXES: Real Property Tax Relief

- WHAT: Provide a 25% property tax cut to residential property owners with a backfill to local governments.

- WHY: The people of WY have been crushed by years of skyrocketing property taxes.

Bill previously written (SF0054, 2024)

Populism in Wyoming is heavily populated by out of staters who moved in here, causing property taxes to rise.  Now they're going to cut what they caused, with no way to pay for anything. 

Property taxes fund schools and local government.  There's real reason to believe that WFC members don't care that much about schools, which teach nasty stuff like evolution, and given that there are so many members of the WFC that moved in from somewhere else, some have a "I got mine" view.

This bill, if it passes, would gut schools and demolish local improvements and services.

A better strategy would be to impose a tax on the value of the last house you sold, no matter where you sold it, and leave the current property taxes alone.  So if you sold your house in California for $1M and moved here, perhaps we ought to get $250,000 of that here, in part just for putting up with your presence.

Last edition:

Cliffnotes of the Zeitgeist, 69th Edition. TDS, Vance in the wings. Our geriatric oligarchy. Immigration spats. Banning puberty blockers. Mjuk flicka and the Mantilla Girls.

Labels: Donald Trump, Elon Musk, J. D. Vance, mehr Mensch sein, National Conservatism, Old Age, Populism, The rich and the poor, The roles of men and women, Trump Derangement Syndrome, Zeitgeist

Tuesday, December 6, 1774. Powers of the Crown.

Massachusetts was holding a provincial congress.

King Carlos III of Spain issued a royal order forbidding hunting and fishing in the forest of Balsain, which was reserved for royal amusement.

Sounds familiar.

Last edition:

Friday, November 18, 1774. Ellis and his island.

Labels: 1770s, 1774, Colonial North America, Ellis Island, Food, New York, restaurants and bars

Tuesday, November 18, 1924. Adding to the public domain.

WHEREAS, it appears that the public good will be promoted by adding certain land in South Dakota to the Harney National Forest;

Now, therefore, I, CALVIN COOLIDGE, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the power in me vested by the act of Congress approved March third, eighteen hundred and ninety-one (26 Stat., 1095), entitled, “An Act To repeal timber-culture laws, and for other purposes,” and also by the act of Congress approved June fourth, eighteen hundred and ninety-seven (30 Stat., 11 at 34 and 36 ), entitled, “An Act Making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, and for other purposes, “do proclaim that the boundaries of the Harney National Forest are hereby changed to include the N1/2 and SE1/4, Section 27, Township 5 South, Range 2 East, Black Hills Meridian, South Dakota.

The withdrawal made by this proclamation shall, as to all lands which are at this date legally appropriated under the public land laws or reserved for any public purpose, be subject to and shall not interfere with or defeat legal rights under such appropriation, nor prevent the use for such public purpose of lands so reserved, so long as such appropriation is legally maintained or such reservation remains in force.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this 18th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and forty-ninth.

When Presidents realized that adding to the public domain was a good thing.

In 1954 the Harney National Forest was added to the Black Hills, so it is no longer a separate administrative unit.

Brig. Gen. R.E. Noble, Librarian of Army Medical Library, 11/18/24

Dr. Noble was a career military physician.

Last edition:

Sunday, November 16, 1924. French evacuations, Imperial Russian dreams.

Labels: 1920s, 1924, French Occupation of the Ruhr, Russian All-Military Union

A complete betrayal of the people of Wyoming.

 

Wyoming Joins Idaho, Alaska in Support of Utah’s Federal Public Lands Claim 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon has announced that the State of Wyoming has filed an amicus brief in support of Utah on their federal public lands claims pending before the US Supreme Court. Wyoming joined with the states of Idaho and Alaska, as well as the Arizona Legislature in the Amicus. 

The Governor issued the following statement: 

“Federal ownership of unappropriated land negatively impacts Western states’ ability to regulate local land uses.  I consistently preach that the best land management policies are developed by those who live close to the lands. As we have seen with the Rock Springs and Buffalo Resource Management Plans, the whims of the current Administration can have immense impacts on the states where those lands are located.

The well-established legal principle of multiple-use of public lands is sacred to Wyoming citizens, and that concept is something we have lost in this era of Washington, DC constantly curtailing their uses. Wyoming believes it is essential for the states to be recognized as the primary authority when it comes to unappropriated lands within our borders. The Federal government’s indefinite retention of millions of acres of land is a critical question that impacts all Western states, which is why Wyoming has filed this amicus.”

The brief may be found here. 

Utah is going to lose, and deserves to. There's no excuse whatsoever for Wyoming joining with Utah in this effort.

Cont:

Wyoming politicians signing on to this land grabbing effort:

Governor Mark Gordon.

Congressman Harriet Hageman.

Senators

Bo Biteman (R-Ranchester), Brian Boner (R-Douglas),

Tim French (R-Powell), Larry Hicks (R-Baggs), Bob Ide (R-Casper), John Kolb (R-Rock Springs), Dan Laursen (R-Powell), Troy McKeown (R-Gillette), Tim Salazar (R-Riverton), Cheri Steinmetz (R-Lingle).

Representatives

Bill Allemand (R-Midwest), John Bear (R-Gillette), Jeremy Haroldson (R-Wheatland), Scott Heiner (R-Green River), Ben Hornok (R-Cheyenne), Christopher Knapp (R-Gillette), Chip Neiman (R-Hulett), Pepper Ottman (R-Riverton), Sarah Penn (R-Lander), Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (R-Cody), Daniel Singh (R-Cheyenne), Allen Slagle (R-Newcastle), Scott Smith (R-Lingle), Tomi Strock (R-Douglas), Jeanette Ward (R-Casper), John Winter (R-Thermopolis).

 

National Park Service Day.

 

Commorating the creation of the National Park Service in 1916, whereby the NPS relieved the United States Army, which was pretty busy with other things, of the duty of patrolling the parks (the Park Service campaign hat recalls the Army's M1911 campaign hat.

The Park Service and the parks themselves are one of the great things about the United States.  If you have nothing on the plate today, and have a park nearby, go check it out if you can, unless of course you live in Utah, in which case you can sit in side your hovel and imagine a future in your state in which all the lands have been sold to big money.

Related thread:

Today In Wyoming's History: August 25, 1916. National Park Service formed.

Labels: 1910s, 1916, Army, cavalry, Clothing, National Park Service, nature, Public Land, The Punitive Expedition, Yellowstone National Park

Blog Mirror: Utah goes for the ultimate public land grab

 

Utah goes for the ultimate public land grab

Utah moves to sue the US over Federal Lands.

The State of Utah, in a petition to the Supreme Court, is seeking to force the United States to turn over lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management to the State of Utah.

This stands to potentially be a disaster of epic proportions for the West, and the United States in general.

It also bears the huge risk of the application of the Law of Unintended Consequences.  The odds of it prevailing are regarded as long, but the President could avoid the matter by withdrawing all the lands immediately and declaring them national monuments, or the U.S. Supreme Court, if it takes it up, could declare them to be unceded Indian lands.

Going Feral: Wreckers.

Going Feral: Wreckers.: 

Wreckers.

A bill introduced by Wyoming's two Senators and its one Congressman. 

118th CONGRESS 1st Session

S. 1348

To redesignate land within certain wilderness study areas in the State of Wyoming, and for other purposes.

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 27, 2023

Mr. Barrasso (for himself and Ms. Lummis) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

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A BILL

To redesignate land within certain wilderness study areas in the State of Wyoming, 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 “Wyoming Public Lands Initiative Act of 2023”.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) BUREAU.—The term “Bureau” means the Bureau of Land Management.

(2) DEPARTMENT.—The term “Department” means the Department of the Interior.

(3) DIRECTOR.—The term “Director” means the Director of the Bureau of Land Management.

(4) EMERGENCY.—The term “emergency” means a situation that requires immediate action because of an imminent danger—

(A) to the health or safety of people; or

(B) of harm to property.

(5) RANGE IMPROVEMENT.—The term “range improvement” has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 (43 U.S.C. 1902).

(6) STATE.—The term “State” means the State of Wyoming.

SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF LAND IN CARBON COUNTY, WYOMING.

(a) Designation Of Wilderness Areas.—

(1) ENCAMPMENT RIVER CANYON WILDERNESS.—

(A) DESIGNATION.—In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except as provided in subparagraph (B), the land within the boundaries of the Encampment River Canyon Wilderness Study Area is designated as wilderness and as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to be known as the “Encampment River Canyon Wilderness” (referred to in this paragraph as the “Wilderness”).

(B) EXCLUDED LAND.—

(i) DEFINITION OF WATER VALLEY ROAD.—In this subparagraph, the term “Water Valley Road” means the road in Carbon County, Wyoming, that is 50 feet wide and 17,340 feet long, consisting of approximately 19.904 acres of land in T. 14 N., R. 84 W., including—

(I) in sec. 22, land in—

(aa) the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 ; and

(bb) the S1⁄2 SW1⁄4 ;

(II) in sec. 27, land in lots 4, 6, and 7 of the NW1⁄4 SW1⁄4 ;

(III) in sec. 28, land in lot 1 of the NE1⁄4 SE1⁄4 ;

(IV) in sec. 34, land in—

(aa) the S1⁄2 NE1⁄4 ; and

(bb) the E1⁄2 NW1⁄4 ; and

(V) in sec. 35, land in—

(aa) the N1⁄2 SW1⁄4 ;

(bb) the NW1⁄4 SE1⁄4 ; and

(cc) the S1⁄2 SE1⁄4 .

(ii) LAND EXCLUDED FROM THE WILDERNESS.—The following land is not included in the Wilderness:

(I) Any land in the NW1⁄4 NW1⁄4 NW1⁄4 sec. 24, T. 14 N., R. 84 W.

(II) Any land within 50 feet of the centerline of—

(aa) County Road 353; or

(bb) Water Valley Road.

(C) MAINTENANCE OF ROADS.—Necessary maintenance or repairs to County Road 353 or Water Valley Road (as defined in subparagraph (B)) shall be permitted after the date of enactment of this Act, consistent with the requirements of this subsection.

(D) WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish a fire suppression plan for the protection of—

(I) any individual or structure adjacent to the Wilderness; and

(II) the population centers of—

(aa) Encampment, Wyoming; and

(bb) Riverside, Wyoming.

(ii) COORDINATION.—In carrying out clause (i), the Director shall coordinate with—

(I) the Wyoming State Forestry Division; and

(II) Carbon County, Wyoming.

(2) PROSPECT MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.—

(A) DESIGNATION.—In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except as provided in subparagraph (B), the land within the boundaries of the Prospect Mountain Wilderness Study Area is designated as wilderness and as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to be known as the “Prospect Mountain Wilderness” (referred to in this paragraph as the “Wilderness”).

(B) EXCLUDED LAND.—Any land within 100 feet of the centerline of Prospect Road is not included in the Wilderness.

(C) MAINTENANCE OF PROSPECT ROAD.—Necessary maintenance or repairs to Prospect Road shall be permitted after the date of enactment of this Act, consistent with the requirements of this subsection.

(3) MANAGEMENT OF WILDERNESS AREAS.—

(A) ADMINISTRATION.—Subject to valid existing rights, the wilderness areas designated in paragraphs (1) and (2) (referred to in this paragraph as the “Wilderness Areas”) shall be administered by the Director in accordance with—

(i) this paragraph; and

(ii) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that any reference in that Act to the effective date of that Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act.

(B) GRAZING.—Grazing of livestock in the Wilderness Areas, where established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be allowed to continue in accordance with—

(i) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4));

(ii) the guidelines set forth in the report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress (H. Rept. 96–617); and

(iii) the guidelines set forth in appendix A of the Report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs to accompany H.R. 2570 of the 101st Congress (H. Rept. 101–405).

(C) REVIEW OF POLICIES, PRACTICES, AND REGULATIONS.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—To ensure that the policies, practices, and regulations of the Department conform to and implement the intent of Congress regarding forest fires and the outbreak of disease or insects, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall review all policies, practices, and regulations of the Department applicable to the Wilderness Areas that pertain to—

(I) wildland fires, including the use of modern methods of fire suppression (including mechanical activity, as necessary); or

(II) the outbreak of disease or insect populations.

(ii) REVISIONS.—On completion of the review under clause (i), the Secretary of the Interior shall revise or develop policies, practices, and regulations for the Wilderness Areas—

(I) to ensure the timely and efficient control of fires, diseases, and insects in the Wilderness Areas, in accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)); and

(II) to provide, to the maximum extent practicable, adequate protection from forest fires, disease outbreaks, and insect infestations to any Federal, State, or private land adjacent to the Wilderness Areas.

(b) Designation Of Bennett Mountains Special Management Area.—

(1) DESIGNATION.—The land within the Bennett Mountains Wilderness Study Area is designated as the “Bennett Mountains Special Management Area” (referred to in this subsection as the “Special Management Area”).

(2) ADMINISTRATION.—The Special Management Area shall be administered by the Director.

(3) ROADS; MOTORIZED VEHICLES.—

(A) ROADS.—

(i) PROHIBITION ON NEW PERMANENT ROADS.—The construction of new permanent roads in the Special Management Area shall not be allowed.

(ii) TEMPORARY ROADS.—The Director may authorize the construction of new temporary roads to respond to an emergency.

(B) MOTORIZED VEHICLES.—Except as needed for administrative purposes, to respond to an emergency, or to develop range improvements, the use of motorized and mechanized vehicles in the Special Management Area shall be allowed only on existing roads and trails designated for the use of motorized or mechanized vehicles by the travel management plan established under subparagraph (C).

(C) TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish a travel management plan for the Special Management Area.

(4) GRAZING.—Grazing of livestock in the Special Management Area shall be administered—

(A) as a nondiscretionary use; and

(B) in accordance with the laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau, including—

(i) the Act of June 28, 1934 (commonly known as the “Taylor Grazing Act”) (48 Stat. 1269, chapter 865; 43 U.S.C. 315 et seq.);

(ii) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and

(iii) the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 (43 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.).

(5) FIRE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPRESSION.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall carry out fire management and suppression activities in the Special Management Area in accordance with the laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

(B) REVIEW OF POLICIES, PRACTICES, AND REGULATIONS.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—To ensure that the policies, practices, and regulations of the Bureau conform to and implement the intent of Congress regarding forest fires, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall review all policies, practices, and regulations of the Bureau applicable to the Special Management Area that pertain to wildland fires, including the use of modern methods of fire suppression.

(ii) REVISION.—On completion of the review under clause (i), the Director shall revise or develop policies, practices, and regulations for the Special Management Area—

(I) to ensure the timely and efficient control of fires in the Special Management Area; and

(II) to provide, to the maximum extent practicable, adequate protection from forest fires to any Federal, State, or private land adjacent to the Special Management Area.

(6) TIMBER HARVESTING.—Commercial timber harvesting shall not be allowed in the Special Management Area.

(7) WITHDRAWAL.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within the boundaries of the Special Management Area is withdrawn from—

(i) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(ii) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(B) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary of the Interior may lease oil and gas resources within the boundaries of the Special Management Area if—

(i) the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the Special Management Area; and

(ii) the lease prohibits, without exception or waiver, surface occupancy and surface disturbance within the Special Management Area for any activities, including activities related to exploration, development, or production.

(c) Designation Of Black Cat Special Management Area.—

(1) DESIGNATION.—The land described in paragraph (2) is designated as the “Black Cat Special Management Area” (referred to in this subsection as the “Special Management Area”).

(2) INCLUDED LAND.—The Special Management Area shall consist of—

(A) the Federal land in T. 14 N., R. 81 W., sec. 35, that is managed by the Forest Service; and

(B) the portions of T. 14 N., R. 81 W., secs. 26, 35, and 36, that are south and west of the North Platte River.

(3) ADMINISTRATION.—The Special Management Area shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture.

(4) ROADS; MOTORIZED VEHICLES.—

(A) ROADS.—

(i) PROHIBITION ON NEW PERMANENT ROADS.—The construction of new permanent roads in the Special Management Area shall not be allowed.

(ii) TEMPORARY ROADS.—The Secretary of Agriculture may authorize the construction of new temporary roads to respond to an emergency.

(B) MOTORIZED VEHICLES.—Except as needed for administrative purposes, to respond to an emergency, or to develop or maintain range improvements, the Secretary of Agriculture shall prohibit the use of motorized and mechanized vehicles in the Special Management Area.

(5) GRAZING.—Grazing of livestock in the Special Management Areas shall be administered—

(A) as a nondiscretionary use; and

(B) in accordance with the laws generally applicable to the National Forest System, including—

(i) the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 (16 U.S.C. 528 et seq.);

(ii) the Act of June 28, 1934 (commonly known as the “Taylor Grazing Act”) (48 Stat. 1269, chapter 865; 43 U.S.C. 315 et seq.); and

(iii) the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 (43 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.).

(6) FIRE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPRESSION.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out fire management and suppression activities in the Special Management Area—

(i) in accordance with the laws generally applicable to—

(I) the National Forest System; and

(II) the land within the boundaries of the Special Management Area; and

(ii) (I) if a land management plan has been established for the Special Management Area, in accordance with that land management plan; or

(II) if a land management plan has not been established for the Special Management Area, in a manner consistent with land that is similarly situated to the land within the boundaries of the Special Management Area, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

(B) REVIEW OF POLICIES, PRACTICES, AND REGULATIONS.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—To ensure that the policies, practices, and regulations of the Department of Agriculture conform to and implement the intent of Congress regarding forest fires, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall review all policies, practices, and regulations of the Department of Agriculture applicable to the Special Management Area that pertain to forest fires, including the use of modern methods of fire suppression.

(ii) REVISION.—On completion of the review under clause (i), the Secretary of Agriculture shall revise or develop policies, practices, and regulations for the Special Management Area—

(I) to ensure the timely and efficient control of fires in the Special Management Area; and

(II) to provide, to the maximum extent practicable, adequate protection from forest fires to any Federal, State, or private land adjacent to the Special Management Area.

(7) TIMBER HARVESTING.—Commercial timber harvesting shall not be allowed in the Special Management Area.

(8) WITHDRAWAL.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within the boundaries of the Special Management Area is withdrawn from—

(i) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(ii) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(B) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary of the Interior may, with the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture, lease oil and gas resources within the boundaries of the Special Management Area if—

(i) the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the Special Management Area; and

(ii) the lease prohibits, without exception or waiver, surface occupancy and surface disturbance within the Special Management Area for any activities, including activities related to exploration, development, or production.

(d) Release Of Wilderness Study Areas.—

(1) FINDING.—Congress finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), any portion of a wilderness study area described in paragraph (2) that is not designated as wilderness by this section has been adequately studied for wilderness designation.

(2) DESCRIPTION OF LAND.—The wilderness study areas referred to in paragraphs (1) and (3) are—

(A) the Encampment River Canyon Wilderness Study Area;

(B) the Prospect Mountain Wilderness Study Area; and

(C) the Bennett Mountains Wilderness Study Area.

(3) RELEASE.—Any portion of a wilderness study area described in paragraph (2) that is not designated as wilderness by this section is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).

(4) MANAGEMENT OF RELEASED LAND.—

(A) ENCAMPMENT RIVER CANYON WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.—The Director shall manage the portion of the Encampment River Canyon Wilderness Study Area released under paragraph (3) in a manner consistent with a resource management plan that is applicable to any land that—

(i) is adjacent to that released portion; and

(ii) is not included in the Encampment River Canyon Wilderness designated under subsection (a)(1).

(B) PROSPECT MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.—The portion of the Prospect Mountain Wilderness Study Area released under paragraph (3) shall be managed in accordance with—

(i) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and

(ii) any other applicable law.

(C) BENNETT MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.—The Director shall manage the portion of the Bennett Mountains Wilderness Study Area released under paragraph (3) in accordance with subsection (b).

SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF LAND IN FREMONT AND NATRONA COUNTIES, WYOMING.

(a) Designation Of Upper Sweetwater Canyon And Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Areas.—

(1) DESIGNATION.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the land within the boundaries of the Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area is designated as wilderness and, as described in subparagraphs (B) and (C), as 2 components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to be known as the “Upper Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness” (referred to in this subsection as the “Upper Wilderness”) and the “Lower Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness” (referred to in this subsection as the “Lower Wilderness”).

(B) UPPER SWEETWATER CANYON WILDERNESS.—

(i) BOUNDARY.—

(I) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subclause (II), the boundary of the Upper Wilderness shall conform to the boundary of the Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

(II) EASTERN BOUNDARY.—The eastern boundary of the Upper Wilderness shall be 100 feet from the western edge of the north-south road bisecting the Upper Wilderness and the Lower Wilderness, known as “Strawberry Creek Road”.

(ii) EXCLUSION OF EXISTING ROADS.—Any established legal route with authorized motorized use in existence on the date of enactment of this Act that enters the Upper Wilderness in T. 28 N., R. 98 W., sec. 4, or the Lower Wilderness in T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 33, is not included in the Upper Wilderness.

(C) LOWER SWEETWATER CANYON WILDERNESS.—

(i) BOUNDARY.—

(I) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subclauses (II) and (III), the boundary of the Lower Wilderness shall conform to the boundary of the Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

(II) WESTERN BOUNDARY.—The western boundary of the Lower Wilderness shall be 100 feet from the eastern edge of the north-south road bisecting the Upper Wilderness and the Lower Wilderness, known as “Strawberry Creek Road”.

(III) NORTHERN BOUNDARY.—The northern boundary of the Lower Wilderness shall begin where the bisecting road referred to in subclause (II) enters the Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area at the border of T. 29 N., R. 98 W., sec. 36, and T. 28 N., R. 98 W., sec. 2, and shall run east along the boundary of T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 31, to the centerline of T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 31, then north along that centerline to the midpoint of T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 31, then east along that centerline to the boundary of T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 32, then following the existing boundary of the Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area to the midpoint of T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 32, then east along the centerline of T. 29 N., R. 97 W., secs. 32 and 33, to the existing boundary of the Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area.

(ii) EXCLUSION OF EXISTING ROADS.—Any established legal route with authorized motorized use in existence on the date of enactment of this Act that enters the Upper Wilderness in T. 29 N., R. 98 W., sec. 4, or the Lower Wilderness in T. 29 N., R. 97 W., sec. 33, is not included in the Lower Wilderness.

(2) MANAGEMENT.—

(A) ADMINISTRATION.—Subject to valid existing rights, the Upper Wilderness and the Lower Wilderness shall be administered by the Director in accordance with—

(i) this paragraph; and

(ii) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that any reference in that Act to the effective date of that Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act.

(B) GRAZING.—Grazing of livestock in the Upper Wilderness and the Lower Wilderness, where established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be allowed to continue in accordance with—

(i) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4));

(ii) the guidelines set forth in the report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress (H. Rept. 96–617); and

(iii) the guidelines set forth in appendix A of the Report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs to accompany H.R. 2570 of the 101st Congress (H. Rept. 101–405).

(C) MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING ROADS.—Necessary maintenance or repairs to any road described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1) shall be permitted after the date of enactment of this Act, consistent with the requirements of this subsection.

(D) RANGE IMPROVEMENTS.—The construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of range improvements shall be allowed in the Upper Wilderness and the Lower Wilderness.

(E) BUFFER ZONES.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this paragraph creates a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the Upper Wilderness or the Lower Wilderness.

(ii) ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE WILDERNESS AREAS.—The fact that an activity or use on land outside the Upper Wilderness or the Lower Wilderness can be seen or heard within the Upper Wilderness or the Lower Wilderness, respectively, shall not preclude the activity or use outside the boundary of the Upper Wilderness or the Lower Wilderness.

(3) RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.—Congress finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the land within the Sweetwater Canyon Wilderness Study Area not designated as wilderness by this subsection has been adequately studied for wilderness designation and is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).

(b) Designation Of Sweetwater Rocks Special Management Area.—

(1) DESIGNATION.—The land within the Lankin Dome, Split Rock, Savage Peak, and Miller Springs Wilderness Study Areas is designated as the “Sweetwater Rocks Special Management Area” (referred to in this subsection as the “Special Management Area”).

(2) ADMINISTRATION.—The Special Management Area shall be administered by the Director in a manner that protects—

(A) valid existing rights;

(B) agricultural uses;

(C) primitive recreational opportunities; and

(D) natural, historic, and scenic resources.

(3) MOTORIZED VEHICLES.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the use of motorized vehicles in the Special Management Area shall be allowed only on established legal routes with authorized motorized use existing on the date of enactment of this Act.

(B) EXCEPTIONS.—Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the use of motorized vehicles may be allowed in the Special Management Area for the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of necessary infrastructure, as determined by the Director.

(4) GRAZING.—Grazing of livestock in the Special Management Area shall be administered in accordance with the laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

(5) PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN OVERHEAD TOWERS.—No new overhead transmission or communications tower shall be constructed in the Special Management Area.

(6) UNDERGROUND RIGHTS-OF-WAY.—The Director may expand any underground right-of-way in the Special Management Area that exists as of the date of enactment of this Act.

(7) BUFFER ZONES.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this subsection creates a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the Special Management Area.

(B) ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA.—The fact that an activity or use on land outside the Special Management Area can be seen or heard within the Special Management Area shall not preclude the activity or use outside the boundary of the Special Management Area.

(8) LAND EXCHANGES AND EASEMENTS.—

(A) LAND EXCHANGES.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—The Director may propose to, and carry out with, an individual or entity owning land in the vicinity of the Special Management Area any land exchange that—

(I) increases access to the Special Management Area; and

(II) does not result in a net loss of Federal land.

(ii) PROCESS.—The Director may carry out clause (i)—

(I) through the use of existing processes; or

(II) by establishing a process for proposing and carrying out land exchanges under that clause.

(B) EASEMENTS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Director may acquire from an individual or entity owning land in the vicinity of the Special Management Area an easement for the purpose of increasing access to the Special Management Area.

(9) WITHDRAWALS.—

(A) MINING, MINERAL, AND GEOTHERMAL WITHDRAWAL.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause (ii), subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within the boundaries of the Special Management Area is withdrawn from—

(I) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(II) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(ii) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary of the Interior may lease oil and gas resources within the boundaries of the Special Management Area if—

(I) the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the Special Management Area; and

(II) the lease prohibits, without exception or waiver, surface occupancy and surface disturbance within the Special Management Area for any activities, including activities related to exploration, development, or production.

(B) WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within the boundaries of the Special Management Area is withdrawn from right-of-way leasing and disposition under all laws relating to wind or solar energy.

(10) RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS.—Congress finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the land within the Lankin Dome, Split Rock, Savage Peak, and Miller Springs Wilderness Study Areas has been adequately studied for wilderness designation and is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).

(c) Release Of The Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area.—

(1) DIVISION.—The Director shall divide the land within the Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area by installing a fence, or repairing or relocating an existing fence, in T. 41 N., R. 106 W., sec. 5, that—

(A) follows existing infrastructure and natural barriers;

(B) begins at an intersection with North Mountain View Road in the NE1⁄4 NW1⁄4 sec. 5, T. 41 N., R. 106 W.;

(C) from the point described in subparagraph (B), proceeds southeast to a point near the midpoint of the NE1⁄4 sec. 5, T. 41 N., R. 106 W.; and

(D) from the point described in subparagraph (C), proceeds southwest to a point in the SW1⁄4 NE1⁄4 sec. 5, T. 41 N., R. 106 W., that intersects with the boundary of the Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area.

(2) DUBOIS MOTORIZED RECREATION AREA.—

(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Dubois Motorized Recreation Area (referred to in this paragraph as the “Recreation Area”) in the State, to be managed by the Director.

(B) AREA INCLUDED.—The Recreation Area shall consist of—

(i) any land within the boundaries of the Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area that is west of the fence described in paragraph (1); and

(ii) any Federal land in T. 41 N., R. 106 W., secs. 5 and 6 that—

(I) is managed by the Bureau; and

(II) is west of North Mountain View Road.

(C) MANAGEMENT.—

(i) BOUNDARY FENCE.—

(I) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall construct a fence along the western boundary of the Recreation Area on any land that—

(aa) is managed by the Bureau; and

(bb) is west of North Mountain View Road.

(II) COORDINATION.—In designing, locating, and constructing the fence described in subclause (I), the Director shall coordinate with the owners of any land adjacent to the land described in that subclause.

(ii) TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN.—As soon as practicable after the date of completion of the fence described in clause (i), the Director shall establish a travel management plan for the Recreation Area to maximize the use of motorized off-road vehicles in the Recreation Area.

(3) DUBOIS BADLANDS NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA.—

(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Dubois Badlands National Conservation Area (referred to in this paragraph as the “Conservation Area”) in the State, to be managed by the Director.

(B) AREA INCLUDED.—The Conservation Area shall consist of any land within the boundaries of the Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area that is east of the fence described in paragraph (1).

(C) MANAGEMENT.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall manage the Conservation Area in a manner that protects—

(I) valid existing rights;

(II) agricultural uses;

(III) primitive recreational opportunities; and

(IV) natural, historic, and scenic resources.

(D) MOTORIZED VEHICLES.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause (ii), the use of motorized vehicles in the Conservation Area shall not be allowed.

(ii) EXCEPTIONS.—The Director may allow the use of motorized vehicles in the Conservation Area for—

(I) habitat improvement;

(II) the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of range improvements; and

(III) to respond to an emergency.

(E) GRAZING.—Grazing of livestock in the Conservation Area shall be administered in accordance with the laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

(F) RIGHTS-OF-WAY.—No major right-of-way shall be allowed within the boundaries of the Conservation Area.

(G) WITHDRAWAL.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within the boundaries of the Conservation Area is withdrawn from—

(I) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(II) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(4) RELEASE.—Congress finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the land within the Dubois Badlands Wilderness Study Area has been adequately studied for wilderness designation and is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).

(d) Release Of Certain Wilderness Study Areas.—

(1) COPPER MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.—

(A) RELEASE.—Congress finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the land within the Copper Mountain Wilderness Study Area—

(i) has been adequately studied for wilderness designation;

(ii) is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)); and

(iii) shall be managed in accordance with this paragraph.

(B) MANAGEMENT OF RELEASED LAND.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—The land described in subparagraph (A) shall be administered by the Director in accordance with the laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

(ii) MINERAL LEASING.—

(I) IN GENERAL.—Subject to surface occupancy requirements and any other provision of law, the Director may enter mineral leases for any land described in subparagraph (A) that has a slope of less than 25 percent.

(II) UNDERGROUND RIGHTS-OF-WAY.—The Director may grant underground rights-of-way for any mineral lease entered into under subclause (I).

(iii) PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN LEASES.—Subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall not issue a new lease for a wind or solar project, an overhead transmission line, or a communication tower on the land described in subparagraph (A).

(C) AUTHORITY TO EXCHANGE LAND.—In carrying out any land exchange involving any of the land described in subparagraph (A), the Director shall ensure that the exchange does not result in a net loss of Federal land.

(2) WHISKEY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.—

(A) RELEASE.—Congress finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the land within the Whiskey Mountain Wilderness Study Area—

(i) has been adequately studied for wilderness designation;

(ii) is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)); and

(iii) shall be managed in accordance with this paragraph.

(B) MANAGEMENT OF RELEASED LAND.—The land described in subparagraph (A) shall be administered by the Director in accordance with—

(i) a resource management plan that is applicable to any land adjacent to the land described in subparagraph (A); and

(ii) the Whiskey Mountain Cooperative Agreement between the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission, the Forest Service, and the Bureau, including any amendment to that agreement relating to the management of bighorn sheep.

(e) Management Of Land In Fremont County, Wyoming.—

(1) DEFINITION OF COUNTY.—In this subsection, the term “County” means Fremont County, Wyoming.

(2) LANDER SLOPE AND RED CANYON AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN.—

(A) TRANSFERS.—The Director shall pursue transfers in which land managed by the Bureau in the County is exchanged for land owned by the State that is within the boundaries of—

(i) the Lander Slope Area of Critical Environmental Concern; or

(ii) the Red Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

(B) REQUIREMENTS.—A transfer under subparagraph (A) shall—

(i) comply with all requirements of law, including any required analysis; and

(ii) be subject to appropriation.

(3) STUDY.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall carry out a study to evaluate the potential for the development of special motorized recreation areas in the County.

(B) REQUIREMENTS.—The study under subparagraph (A) shall evaluate—

(i) the potential for the development of special motorized recreation areas on all land managed by the Bureau in the County except—

(I) T. 40 N., R. 94 W., secs. 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, and the N1⁄2 sec. 34; and

(II) any land that is subject to a restriction on the use of off-road vehicles under any Federal law, including this Act;

(ii) the suitability of the land for off-road vehicles, including rock crawlers; and

(iii) the parking, staging, and camping necessary to accommodate special motorized recreation.

(C) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing the findings of the study under subparagraph (A).

(4) FREMONT COUNTY IMPLEMENTATION TEAM.—

(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall establish a team, to be known as the “Fremont County Implementation Team” (referred to in this paragraph as the “Team”) to advise and assist the Director with respect to the implementation of the management requirements described in this section that are applicable to land in the County.

(B) MEMBERSHIP.—The team shall consist of—

(i) the Secretary of the Interior (or a designee of the Secretary of the Interior); and

(ii) 1 or more individuals appointed by the Board of County Commissioners of the County.

(C) NONAPPLICABILITY OF THE FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The team shall not be subject to the requirements of chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the “Federal Advisory Committee Act”).

SEC. 5. DESIGNATION OF LAND IN JOHNSON AND CAMPBELL COUNTIES, WYOMING.

(a) Designations.—

(1) FORTIFICATION CREEK MANAGEMENT AREA.—The land within the Fortification Creek Wilderness Study Area is designated as the “Fortification Creek Management Area”.

(2) FRAKER MOUNTAIN MANAGEMENT AREA.—The land within the Gardner Mountain Wilderness Study Area is designated as the “Fraker Mountain Management Area”.

(3) NORTH FORK MANAGEMENT AREA.—The land within the North Fork Wilderness Study Area is designated as the “North Fork Management Area”.

(b) Management.—

(1) ADMINISTRATION.—The management areas designated by subsection (a) (referred to in this subsection as the “Management Areas”) shall be administered by the Director in a manner that—

(A) promotes nonmotorized backcountry recreation, including hunting; and

(B) supports ongoing projects to maintain and improve—

(i) wildlife habitat;

(ii) forest health;

(iii) watershed protection; and

(iv) ecological and cultural values.

(2) ROADS.—

(A) PROHIBITION ON NEW PERMANENT ROADS.—The construction of new permanent roads in the Management Areas shall not be allowed.

(B) TEMPORARY ROADS.—The Secretary of the Interior may authorize the construction of new temporary roads in the Management Areas—

(i) for—

(I) fire suppression;

(II) forest health and restoration;

(III) weed and pest control;

(IV) habitat management;

(V) livestock management; or

(VI) the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of a range improvement; or

(ii) to respond to an emergency.

(3) MOTORIZED VEHICLES.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the use of motorized or mechanized vehicles in the Management Areas shall not be allowed.

(B) EXCEPTIONS.—The Director may allow the use of motorized or mechanized vehicles in the Management Areas—

(i) for—

(I) fire suppression;

(II) forest health and restoration;

(III) weed and pest control;

(IV) habitat management;

(V) livestock management; or

(VI) the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of a range improvement; or

(ii) to respond to an emergency.

(4) GRAZING.—Grazing of livestock in the Management Areas shall be administered in accordance with the laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

(5) PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN INFRASTRUCTURE.—The development, construction, or installation of infrastructure for recreational use shall not be allowed in—

(A) the Fraker Mountain Management Area; or

(B) the North Fork Management Area.

(6) WITHDRAWAL.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within the boundaries of the Management Areas is withdrawn from—

(i) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(ii) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(B) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary of the Interior may lease oil and gas resources within the boundaries of a management area designated by paragraph (1) if—

(i) the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the management area; and

(ii) the lease prohibits, without exception or waiver, surface occupancy and surface disturbance within the management area for any activities, including activities related to exploration, development, or production.

(7) RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS.—Congress finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the land within the Fortification Creek Wilderness Study Area, the Gardner Mountain Wilderness Study Area, and the North Fork Wilderness Study Area has been adequately studied for wilderness designation and is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).

SEC. 6. DESIGNATION OF LAND IN WASHAKIE AND HOT SPRINGS COUNTIES, WYOMING.

(a) Designation Of Bobcat Draw Wilderness.—

(1) DESIGNATION.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the approximately 6,200 acres of land within the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area described in subparagraph (B) is designated as wilderness and as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to be known as the “Bobcat Draw Wilderness” (referred to in this subsection as the “Wilderness”).

(B) INCLUDED LAND.—The Wilderness shall consist of—

(i) in T. 48 N., R. 97 W., secs. 2, 3, 10, 11, 15, 22, 23, 26, and 27, any land in the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area that is in Washakie County, Wyoming;

(ii) in T. 48 N., R. 97 W., sec. 4, the land in—

(I) the E1⁄2 SE1⁄4 ;

(II) lots 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the NE1⁄4 ;

(III) the east 1⁄2 of lot 10 of the NW1⁄4 ; and

(IV) the northeast 1⁄4 of lot 15 of the NW1⁄4 ;

(iii) in T. 48 N., R. 97 W., sec. 9, the land in—

(I) the E1⁄2 NE1⁄4 ;

(II) the SW1⁄4 NE1⁄4 ;

(III) the E1⁄2 NW1⁄4 NE1⁄4 ;

(IV) the SE1⁄4 SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4 ;

(V) the SE1⁄4 ;

(VI) the E1⁄2 NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 ;

(VII) the SW1⁄4 NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 ;

(VIII) the SE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 ; and

(IX) the E1⁄2 SW1⁄4 SW1⁄4 ;

(iv) in T. 48 N., R. 97 W., sec. 14, the land in—

(I) the W1⁄2 ;

(II) the W1⁄2 NE1⁄4 ;

(III) the W1⁄2 SE1⁄4 ; and

(IV) the SE1⁄4 SE1⁄4 ;

(v) in T. 48 N., R. 97 W., sec. 21, the land in—

(I) the NE1⁄4 ;

(II) the E1⁄2 NE1⁄4 NW1⁄4 ;

(III) the E1⁄2 SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4 ;

(IV) the E1⁄2 NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 ;

(V) that part of the E1⁄2 SE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 within the boundary of the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area; and

(VI) that part of the SE1⁄4 within the boundary of the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area; and

(vi) in T. 48 N., R. 97 W., sec. 24, the land in—

(I) the W1⁄2 NW1⁄4 ; and

(II) that part of the NW1⁄4 SW1⁄4 within the boundary of the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area.

(2) MANAGEMENT.—

(A) ADMINISTRATION.—Subject to valid existing rights, the Wilderness shall be administered by the Director in accordance with—

(i) this paragraph; and

(ii) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that any reference in that Act to the effective date of that Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act.

(B) GRAZING.—Grazing of livestock in the Wilderness, where established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be allowed to continue in accordance with—

(i) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4));

(ii) the guidelines set forth in the report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress (H. Rept. 96–617); and

(iii) the guidelines set forth in appendix A of the Report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs to accompany H.R. 2570 of the 101st Congress (H. Rept. 101–405).

(C) REVIEW OF POLICIES, PRACTICES, AND REGULATIONS.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—To ensure that the policies, practices, and regulations of the Department conform to and implement the intent of Congress regarding forest fires and the outbreak of disease or insects, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall review all policies, practices, and regulations of the Department applicable to the Wilderness that pertain to—

(I) forest fires, including the use of modern methods of fire suppression (including mechanical activity, as necessary); or

(II) the outbreak of disease or insect populations.

(ii) REVISIONS.—On completion of the review under clause (i), the Secretary of the Interior shall revise or develop policies, practices, and regulations for the Wilderness—

(I) to ensure the timely and efficient control of fires, diseases, and insects in the Wilderness; and

(II) to provide, to the maximum extent practicable, adequate protection from forest fires, disease outbreaks, and insect infestations to any Federal, State, or private land adjacent to the Wilderness.

(3) RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.—

(A) RELEASE.—Congress finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the land within the Bobcat Draw Wilderness Study Area not designated as wilderness by this subsection has been adequately studied for wilderness designation and is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).

(B) CLASSIFICATION AND MANAGEMENT OF RELEASED LAND.—

(i) CLASSIFICATION.—The Director shall designate the land described in subparagraph (A) as visual resource management class II.

(ii) GRAZING.—Grazing of livestock on the land described in subparagraph (A) shall be administered—

(I) as a nondiscretionary use; and

(II) in accordance with the laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

(C) TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall develop a travel management plan for the land described in subparagraph (A).

(ii) REQUIREMENTS.—The travel management plan under clause (i) shall—

(I) identify all existing roads and trails on the land described in subparagraph (A);

(II) designate each road or trail available for—

(aa) motorized or mechanized recreation; or

(bb) agriculture practices;

(III) prohibit the construction of any new road or trail for motorized or mechanized recreation use; and

(IV) permit the continued use of nonmotorized trails.

(D) WITHDRAWAL.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause (ii), subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the land described in subparagraph (A) is withdrawn from—

(I) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(II) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(ii) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary of the Interior may lease oil and gas resources within the land described in subparagraph (A) if—

(I) the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the land described in subparagraph (A); and

(II) the lease prohibits, without exception or waiver, surface occupancy and surface disturbance on the land described in subparagraph (A) for any activities, including activities related to exploration, development, or production.

(b) Designation Of Cedar Mountain Special Management Area.—

(1) DESIGNATION.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the land within the Cedar Mountain Wilderness Study Area is designated as the “Cedar Mountain Special Management Area” (referred to in this subsection as the “Special Management Area”).

(B) EXCLUDED LAND.—

(i) IN GENERAL.—The land described in clause (ii) is not included in the Special Management Area.

(ii) LAND DESCRIBED.—The land referred to in clause (i) is the land designated by the Bureau as not suitable for wilderness in—

(I) the NE1⁄4 NW1⁄4 sec. 5, T. 44 N., R. 94 W;

(II) the NE1⁄4 SE1⁄4 sec. 5, T. 44 N., R. 94 W;

(III) the SW1⁄4 NE1⁄4 sec. 5, T. 44 N., R. 94 W; and

(IV) the SW1⁄4 SW1⁄4 sec. 32, T. 45 N., R. 94 W.

(2) ADMINISTRATION.—The Special Management Area shall be administered by the Director in a manner that—

(A) maintains the recreational, scenic, cultural, ecological, wildlife, and livestock production values of the Special Management Area; and

(B) promotes continued use of the Special Management Area for recreational activities, including hunting and wildlife viewing.

(3) TRAVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall develop a travel management plan for the Special Management Area.

(B) REQUIREMENTS.—The travel management plan under subparagraph (A) shall—

(i) identify all existing roads and trails in the Special Management Area;

(ii) designate each road or trail available for—

(I) motorized or mechanized recreation; or

(II) agriculture practices;

(iii) prohibit the construction of any new road or trail for motorized or mechanized recreation use; and

(iv) permit the continued use of nonmotorized trails.

(4) MOTORIZED VEHICLES.—

(A) USE OF MOTORIZED VEHICLES FOR LIVESTOCK.—The use of motorized vehicles shall be allowed on any road in the Special Management Area for—

(i) the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of range improvements; or

(ii) other livestock-management purposes.

(B) USE OF MOTORIZED VEHICLES FOR EMERGENCIES.—The use of motorized vehicles shall be allowed in the Special Management Area—

(i) for fire suppression;

(ii) for weed and pest management; and

(iii) to respond to an emergency.

(5) GRAZING.—Grazing of livestock in the Special Management Area shall be administered—

(A) as a nondiscretionary use; and

(B) in accordance with the laws generally applicable to land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau.

(6) WITHDRAWAL.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the land within the boundaries of the Special Management Area is withdrawn from—

(i) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(ii) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.

(B) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary of the Interior may lease oil and gas resources within the boundaries of the Special Management Area if—

(i) the lease may only be accessed by directional drilling from a lease that is outside of the Special Management Area; and

(ii) the lease prohibits, without exception or waiver, surface occupancy and surface disturbance within the Special Management Area for any activities, including activities related to exploration, development, or production.

(7) RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.—

(A) RELEASE.—Congress finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the land within the Cedar Mountain Wilderness Study Area has been adequately studied for wilderness designation and is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).

(B) MANAGEMENT OF CERTAIN RELEASED LAND.—The Director shall manage any land described in subparagraph (A) that is not included in the Special Management Area in a manner consistent with a resource management plan that is applicable to any land that—

(i) is managed by the Bureau; and

(ii) is similarly situated to the land described in subparagraph (A) that is not included in the Special Management Area.

(c) Release Of Honeycombs Wilderness Study Area.—

(1) RELEASE.—Congress finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the land within the Honeycombs Wilderness Study Area—

(A) has been adequately studied for wilderness designation;

(B) is no longer subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)); and

(C) shall be managed in accordance with this subsection.

(2) MANAGEMENT OF RELEASED LAND.—The land described in paragraph (1) shall be administered by the Director in accordance with—

(A) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and

(B) a resource management plan that is applicable to any land adjacent to the land described in paragraph (1).

(d) Study Of Land In Hot Springs And Washakie Counties.—

(1) DEFINITION OF COUNTIES.—In this subsection, the term “Counties” means each of the following counties in the State:

(A) Hot Springs County.

(B) Washakie County.

(2) STUDY.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall carry out a study to evaluate the potential for the development of new special motorized recreation areas in the Counties.

(B) REQUIREMENTS.—

(i) LAND INCLUDED.—The study under subparagraph (A) shall evaluate the potential for the development of new special motorized recreation areas on all land managed by the Bureau in the Counties except any land that is subject to a restriction on the use of motorized or mechanized vehicles under any Federal law, including this Act.

(ii) PUBLIC INPUT; COLLABORATION.—In carrying out the study under subparagraph (A), the Director shall—

(I) offer opportunities for public input; and

(II) collaborate with—

(aa) Wyoming Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails; and

(bb) the Counties.

(C) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing the findings of the study under subparagraph (A).

SEC. 7. APPLICATION OF BLM RULE.

The proposed rule of the Bureau entitled “Conservation and Landscape Health” (88 Fed. Reg. 19583 (April 3, 2023)) or any substantially similar rule shall not apply to the land covered by this Act.

The state's GOP had gotten so extreme that even this bill was condemned by the State's GOP.

Notably, Marti Halverson, who is from Chicago, spoke against it.  Wyoming would be just like Illinois, what they fled but seek to turn the state into, but for public lands.

Shameful.