Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act

Key Points

• Creates a large restoration area in Northern California (about 871,414 acres) to reduce wildfire risk, protect water, and improve forests and fish habitat.
• Requires federal land agencies to write collaborative restoration and fire plans within 2 years, with input from local governments and the public; plans can include prescribed burns and fuel breaks.
• Sets up a partnership to clean up federal lands damaged by illegal marijuana grows and other illegal activity, including removing trash and restoring land and water.
• Expands outdoor recreation by studying and building new trails and bike routes, and allowing new visitor centers and partnerships to help maintain sites and educate visitors.
• Designates multiple new wilderness areas and many new wild and scenic river segments, which can limit mining and some development while keeping some existing uses like grazing and certain utility rights-of-way.