Jared Huffman (D-CA)
Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act
A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
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, known as the "Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act," aims to provide for restoration, economic development, recreation, and conservation on Federal lands in Northern California. It establishes the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area to manage fire resilience and protect aquatic habitats. The legislation also creates the California Public Land Remediation Partnership to address land degradation from illegal activities. Additionally, it designates several new wilderness areas, potential wilderness areas, and wild and scenic river segments. The bill further authorizes various recreational trails, visitor centers, and special management areas.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill designates numerous wilderness areas, protects aquatic habitats, and establishes a partnership for land remediation.
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill protects access to lands for traditional cultural and religious purposes for Indian Tribes.
- Scored +5
Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion?
The bill ensures Indian Tribes have access to designated areas for traditional cultural and religious purposes.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
The bill restricts mineral and geothermal leasing within newly designated wilderness and special management areas.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Fire Resilience and Community Safety: The establishment of the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area seeks to create fire-resilient forests and reduce the threat of wildfires to neighboring communities (Section 111(c)).
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Environmental Protection: The bill aims to protect and restore aquatic habitats, anadromous fisheries, and water quality (Section 111(c)).
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Land Remediation: The California Public Land Remediation Partnership is established to facilitate the recovery of land and water degraded by illegal marijuana cultivation or other illegal activities (Section 112(a)).
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Expanded Recreational Opportunities: The bill provides for various recreational assets, including the Bigfoot National Recreation Trail (Section 121), the Elk Camp Ridge Recreation Trail (Section 122), and the Trinity Lake Trail (Section 123).
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Enhanced Visitor Services: The legislation allows for the establishment of visitor centers in Weaverville (Section 127) and Del Norte County (Section 128) to serve visitors and interpret local resources.
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Cultural and Religious Access: The bill ensures that Indian Tribes have access to designated areas for traditional cultural and religious purposes (Section 145(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Resource Extraction: The establishment of the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area and various wilderness areas withdraws these lands from all forms of entry, appropriation, disposal, and mining laws (Section 111(h) and Section 132(i)).
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Limitations on Land Use: The creation of special management areas limits the use of motorized vehicles primarily to existing roads and trails, and prohibits the construction of new or temporary roads (Section 135(c)).
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Timber Restrictions: Harvesting of timber is generally not allowed within the established special management areas, subject to specific exceptions (Section 135(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 designates numerous wilderness areas, protects aquatic habitats, and establishes a partnership for land remediation. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill focuses on fire resilience and management to reduce the threat of wildfires to neighboring communities. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — The bill restricts mineral and geothermal leasing within newly designated wilderness and special management areas.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill protects access to lands for traditional cultural and religious purposes for Indian Tribes. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill supports economic development and recreation in Northern California rural areas.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the freedom to practise a religion? — The bill ensures Indian Tribes have access to designated areas for traditional cultural and religious purposes. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill provides for collaboration with Indian Tribes regarding land remediation and access to traditional areas.
- 12/19/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Salud CarbajalDemocrat · California
Zoe LofgrenDemocrat · California