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Congress·In Committee·2 months ago

House Committee Reviews Northwest California Wilderness Act to Restore 871K Acres, Cut Wildfire Risk

Also known as: Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(4)
Housing Assistance
Neutral
Homeowner
Neutral
Renter
Neutral
Small Business Owner
Neutral
Positive Impacts(2)
Farmer Rancher
Helps
Tribal Member
Helps

State Impacts

CaliforniaCA
Mixed

The bill applies only to California and creates multiple new land designations and management requirements across parts of Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, and Mendocino Counties. It establishes an 871,414-acre restoration area, creates a state-focused remediation partnership, and adds many wild and scenic river segments. Effects include more conservation limits on extraction, more recreation planning, and potential wildfire-risk reduction work.

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.
EnvironmentClimate ChangeRenewable EnergyTransportationDrug Policy

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 19, 2025House

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Dec 19, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Immediately after enactment

Federal agencies start treating the new restoration area and new land designations as in effect

Some places will have new rules (like limits on new mining claims), while agencies begin planning for restoration, fire work, and recreation projects.

Soon after enactment

Agencies prepare official maps and legal descriptions for the new areas

Boundaries become clearer for locals, permit holders, and visitors, reducing confusion about where rules change.

No later than 2 years after enactment

USDA and Interior submit a joint restoration plan and updated fire plan for the South Fork Trinity–Mad River Restoration Area

This is the roadmap for projects like prescribed burning and shaded fuel breaks, which can affect smoke, closures, and wildfire risk near communities.

No later than 1 year after enactment

Agencies set faster fire-emergency approval procedures for the new wilderness areas and make agreements with state/local firefighting agencies

In a fast-moving fire, local incident teams may get quicker decisions on what actions are allowed inside wilderness boundaries.

As plans are revised after enactment

Forest Service updates wilderness fire management plans for wilderness additions designated in the bill

People may see clearer guidance on when prescribed or managed fire can be used in these areas, with potential for planned smoke and short-term access limits.

No later than 1 year after enactment (or later if tied to a new right-of-way)

PG&E access plans are published for regular and emergency access to its rights-of-way in covered areas

Repairs after storms or fires could be more predictable and faster, with clearer rules for crews and equipment access.

Within 3 years after funds are made available

Bigfoot National Recreation Trail feasibility study is completed (once money is provided)

If it’s found feasible, the trail could be officially designated later, which can drive tourism and create new trail work.

Within 3 years after enactment

Trinity Lake trail suitability/feasibility study is completed

If the loop trail is approved and funded, construction could follow, changing local recreation access and visitor traffic.

Within 3 years after funds are made available

Studies on additional motorized and nonmotorized trails (including a 50-inch vehicle connector trail) are completed (once money is provided)

Off-highway vehicle and biking options could expand or be reorganized, affecting noise, safety rules, and where motorized use is allowed.

No later than 5 years after enactment

A long-term management plan is developed for the Horse Mountain and Sanhedrin Special Management Areas

Future decisions on permitted uses (like motorized routes, hunting access, and resource protections) become more predictable, but may include new limits to prevent damage to plants and wildlife.

Related News

3 articles
The Press Democrat·about 5 years ago

California Democrats seek to add 535,000 acres of wilderness in state

Rep. Jared Huffman's bill would designate 257,797 acres of wilderness and 480 miles of river in Northern California. It includes a 724,007-acre restoration area in Trinity and Humboldt counties for wildfire mitigation, logging treatments, and habitat restoration for endangered coho salmon.

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POLITICO·about 7 years ago

Bills aim to boost protections for Calif. public lands

Senator Kamala Harris introduced companion legislation to Rep. Jared Huffman's Northwest California Wilderness Act. The measures provide comprehensive protections for public lands, addressing wilderness conservation and supporting local economies through expanded outdoor opportunities.

C=
Public News Service·almost 5 years ago

Big California Public Lands Package Introduced in Congress

A sweeping package of bills, including the Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act, was introduced to protect over a million acres. The bill focuses on forest restoration, wildfire management, and cleaning up lands impacted by illegal trespass marijuana grows.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act

Bill NumberHR 6913
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(3)
D: 3

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.