S.888 - Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.888, the Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act, designates specific Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land in Oregon as wilderness and national recreation areas. It also withdraws certain land in Curry and Josephine Counties from mineral development. The bill aims to protect recreational, ecological, scenic, cultural, watershed, and fish and wildlife values.
Expected Effects
The Act will expand the Wild Rogue Wilderness area and establish the Rogue Canyon and Molalla Recreation Areas. This will limit resource extraction and development in these areas. A wildfire mitigation plan will be developed to protect these areas and nearby communities.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.
- Increased recreational opportunities for the public.
- Protection of watersheds and fish and wildlife habitats.
- Mitigation of wildfire risk in and around the designated areas.
- Preservation of scenic and cultural values.
Potential Disadvantages
- Restrictions on mining, mineral leasing, and geothermal leasing could negatively impact local economies dependent on these industries.
- Potential limitations on forest management activities.
- Possible conflicts between recreational users and other stakeholders.
- Increased administrative burden for the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service.
- Potential for reduced access to resources for local communities.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with Congress's power to manage federal lands under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the Constitution, which grants Congress the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States. The designation of wilderness areas and recreation areas, as well as the withdrawal of land from mineral development, falls under this authority. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).