What does Preamble of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To designate as wilderness certain Federal portions of the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin Deserts in the State of Utah for the benefit of present and future generations of people in the United States,' aims to designate specific federal lands in Utah as wilderness areas. The designated areas are located within the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin Deserts in Utah.

What does DEFINITIONS. of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act do?

This section defines terms used within the Act. The term 'Secretary' is defined as the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Land Management. The term 'State' is defined as the State of Utah.

What does FINDINGS. of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act do?

This section outlines findings related to land designated as wilderness by the Act. The designated land is described as one of the largest remaining expanses of unprotected, wild public land in the continental United States. The designation is expected to increase landscape connectivity in the Colorado Plateau and mitigate climate change impacts. Mitigation strategies include providing critical refugia, reducing surface disturbances, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The land is considered a living cultural landscape, a place of refuge for wild nature, and important to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous community values. Indian Tribes have a long history of presence and use of the land for sustenance and cultural purposes. The wilderness designation is considered vital to the continuation and revitalization of Indigenous cultures and protects places of Indigenous use and sanctuary.

What does PURPOSES. of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act do?

This Act aims to designate certain Federal lands within the red rock canyons of the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin Deserts in Utah as wilderness. The Act intends to protect the cultural, ecological, and scenic values of the designated wilderness areas. It seeks to preserve the ability of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to continue traditional land uses, such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and spiritual practices.

What does GREAT BASIN WILDERNESS AREAS. of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act do?

This section designates numerous areas within the Great Basin region of western Utah as wilderness areas. These areas are designated in accordance with the Wilderness Act. The designated wilderness areas include Bald Eagle Mountain, Barn Hills, Big Hollow, and many others, with acreage ranging from 750 acres to 127,000 acres. The legislation cites findings regarding the unique natural characteristics of the Great Basin, including its mountain ranges, arid landscapes, and diverse ecosystems. The findings state that the Great Basin region should be protected to preserve its natural conditions.

What does GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE WILDERNESS AREAS. of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act do?

This section designates various areas within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah as wilderness areas and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The designated areas are categorized into three regions: Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits Plateau, and Escalante Canyons. Each region's designation is based on findings highlighting unique geological, ecological, and scenic characteristics. The Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) provides the legal basis for these designations. Specific acreage is provided for each designated wilderness area, ranging from approximately 500 acres to over 266,500 acres.

What does MOAB-LA SAL CANYONS WILDERNESS AREAS. of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act do?

This section designates several areas in the State as wilderness areas and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The areas designated include Arches National Park Adjacents, Beaver Creek, Behind the Rocks, Big Triangle, Coyote Wash, Dome Plateau, Fisher Towers, Goldbar Canyon, Granite Creek, Hunter Canyon, Mary Jane Canyon, Mill Creek, Morning Glory, Porcupine Rim, Renegade Point, Westwater Canyon, and Yellow Bird. The areas are identified by name and approximate acreage. Congress finds that the canyons surrounding the La Sal Mountains and the town of Moab offer extraordinary landscapes. Congress finds that the Moab-La Sal Canyons should be protected and managed as a wilderness area.

What does HENRY MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS AREAS. of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act do?

This section designates several areas within the Henry Mountain Range in the State as wilderness areas and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The designated areas include Bull Mountain, Bullfrog Creek, Dogwater Creek, Fremont Gorge, Long Canyon, Mount Ellen-Blue Hills, Mount Hillers, Mount Pennell, Notom Bench, and Ragged Mountain. Congress finds the Henry Mountain Range retains a wild and undiscovered quality and contains critical habitat for mule deer and the largest herd of free-roaming buffalo in the United States. The designation is made in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.). The areas range in size from approximately 6,250 acres (Notom Bench) to 155,500 acres (Mount Pennell).

What does GLEN CANYON WILDERNESS AREAS. of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act do?

This section designates several areas within Glen Canyon, Utah, as wilderness areas. The designation is made in accordance with the Wilderness Act. Areas designated include Cane Spring Desert, Copper Point, Dark Canyon, Dirty Devil, Fiddler Butte, Flat Tops, Fort Knocker, Little Rockies, Pleasant Creek Bench, Red Rock Plateau, The Needle, Tuwa Canyon, Upper Red Canyon, and White Canyon. Congress finds that the side canyons of Glen Canyon contain remote and outstanding landscapes. The Dirty Devil River is noted for its history as a hideout for Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch. The Red and Blue Canyons contain unique badlands formations.

What does SAN JUAN WILDERNESS AREAS. of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act do?

This section designates several areas in Utah as wilderness areas and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The designated areas include Allen Canyon, Arch Canyon, Comb Ridge, Cross Canyon, Fish and Owl Creek Canyons, Grand Gulch, Hammond Canyon, Lime Creek, Monument Canyon, Nokai Dome, Road Canyon, San Juan River, The Tabernacle, Tin Cup Mesa, Valley of the Gods. The Cedar Mesa area, including the Cedar Mesa wilderness areas, is identified as needing protection from vandalism and theft of cultural resources. Congress finds that the San Juan area should be protected and managed as a wilderness area to preserve its unique resources. Most of the designated areas are located within the Bears Ears National Monument, established in 2016.

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America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act

Last updated: 3/27/2025 · Introduced: 3/27/2025

Author: Richard Durbin (D-IL)

TL;DR (AI)

The America's Red Rock Wilderness Act designates certain federal lands in Utah as wilderness areas, protecting their cultural, ecological, and scenic values.
The Act establishes numerous wilderness areas within the Great Basin, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Moab-La Sal Canyons, Henry Mountains, Glen Canyon, San Juan, Canyonlands Basin, San Rafael Swell, and Book Cliffs-Greater Dinosaur regions.
The designated wilderness areas will be administered by the Secretary of the Interior, in accordance with the Wilderness Act and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.
The Act reserves water rights for each designated wilderness area, with a priority date of the date of enactment, and requires the Secretary to protect these reserved rights.
The Act also addresses livestock grazing, fish and wildlife management, and the protection of tribal rights, ensuring that existing uses and rights are maintained or protected within the designated wilderness areas.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 2467(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, definitions., and 2 more.

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TITLE I

-DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS AREAS

9 sections

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TITLE II

-ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

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