Val Hoyle (D-OR)
Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, called the "Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act," expands the Smith River National Recreation Area to include parts of Oregon. It updates the boundaries and management of the area and requires a study of its natural values within five years. The act also designates several river segments and tributaries in Oregon as wild or scenic rivers. Additionally, it protects Tribal rights and allows for the acquisition of the "Cedar Creek Parcel."
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +9
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill expands a National Recreation Area and designates multiple wild and scenic rivers to protect natural values.
- Scored +8
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
It updates boundaries and requires comprehensive studies to protect biodiversity and forest health.
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
Protects Tribal rights and provides access for historical and cultural activities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Natural Resources: The Secretary must conduct a study to inventory and protect streams, wetlands, plants, and animals, and then modify management plans to fully protect these values (Section 2(c)(d)).
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Tribal Access and Heritage: The bill ensures that no Tribal rights are diminished and requires the Secretary to seek an agreement to provide Indian Tribes access for historical and cultural activities and the procurement of noncommercial forest products (Section 2(c)(h)).
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Wildfire and Forest Health: The bill explicitly allows the Secretary to conduct wildland fire operations and vegetation management projects to improve wildfire resiliency and forest health (Section 2(c)(e) and (f)).
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Environmental Preservation: The bill designates numerous river segments and tributaries in Oregon as "wild" or "scenic" rivers to preserve their water quality and botanical values (Section 3(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Land Acquisition: The bill authorizes the Secretary to acquire land through purchase, donation, or other methods, which may affect current land ownership (Section 2(d)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill expands a National Recreation Area and designates multiple wild and scenic rivers to protect natural values. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — It updates boundaries and requires comprehensive studies to protect biodiversity and forest health. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Expansion of protected forest and river areas helps maintain carbon sinks. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — Increased land protections typically limit industrial extraction activities.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Protects Tribal rights and provides access for historical and cultural activities. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Supports regional conservation and potential eco-tourism in rural Oregon. Would children be better off under this? — Preserves natural environments for future generations. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Increases opportunities for outdoor recreation. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Increases opportunities for outdoor recreation. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Preserves natural environments for future generations.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Requires a detailed scientific study of streams, wetlands, plants, and animals.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Increases federal oversight through the expansion of federally managed recreation areas.
- 8/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California