Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
Introduced
Summary
Restoring forests and reducing wildfire risk across northern California public lands. The bill would create a large restoration area, add many wilderness and Wild and Scenic River protections, and authorize new trails, visitor centers, and a cleanup partnership for lands harmed by illegal cultivation.
Show full summary
- Families and neighboring communities: Would aim to reduce wildfire threats and protect water quality across about 871,400 acres through a South Fork Trinity–Mad River Restoration Area and updated fire management plans that emphasize prescribed fire and shaded fuel breaks.
- Outdoor visitors and local economies: Would require feasibility studies and possible construction or designation of trails (including a Bigfoot National Recreation Trail and Elk Camp Ridge), authorize visitor centers in Weaverville and Del Norte, and study overnight accommodations near Redwood to expand recreation access.
- Tribes, land managers, and local governments: Would create a California Public Land Remediation Partnership to coordinate cleanup of lands degraded by illegal marijuana cultivation and would ensure tribal access for traditional cultural and religious activities, including limited temporary closures at tribal request.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
California land cleanup and jobs
If enacted, the bill would create the California Public Land Remediation Partnership to coordinate cleanup of federal lands damaged by illegal cultivation and other illegal activity. The partnership could give grants, enter cooperative agreements, hire staff, and accept funds or services, subject to approval by the Agriculture Secretary and applicable law. The partnership is directed to prefer local entities and individuals to the maximum extent practicable. Assistance from the Secretaries could be reimbursable or nonreimbursable and would depend on available funds.
Forest restoration and fire plans
If enacted, the bill would require the Agriculture and Interior Secretaries to send Congress a joint restoration plan and an updated fire management plan within 2 years for the restoration area. The fire plan would, to the maximum extent practicable, include prescribed fire and shaded fuel breaks and use spatial fire management planning. The Secretaries would set agency emergency fire approval procedures within 1 year and enter into agreements with state and local firefighting agencies. The Secretary must get input from a collaborative group when developing required plans.
More trails, visitor centers, and volunteers
If enacted, the bill would direct studies and possible construction of several trails, including a Bigfoot National Recreation Trail study and other feasibility studies to improve motorized and nonmotorized trail access. The Secretary could accept volunteer work and non-Federal contributions to build and maintain routes, and could designate Elk Camp Ridge routes authorized as of enactment for OHV or mountain bike use with monitoring. The bill would authorize visitor centers in Weaverville and Del Norte County and require an Interior study of overnight accommodations within 20 miles of Redwood National and State Parks, with possible private or nonprofit agreements if the Secretary finds them suitable.
New wilderness, rivers, and restoration
If enacted, the bill would add many areas in northern California to the National Wilderness System and create new Wild and Scenic River segments. It would establish the South Fork Trinity–Mad River Restoration Area on about 871,414 acres and withdraw that land from public entry, mining claims, and mineral and geothermal leasing, subject to existing rights. The bill would create two Special Management Areas (Horse Mountain ~7,482 acres and Sanhedrin ~12,254 acres) and set rules for maps and management plans. Some lands not made wilderness would be released from wilderness study protections.
Tribal access, grazing, and agency rules
If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary to ensure Indian Tribes have access to designated lands for traditional cultural and religious uses. At a Tribe's request, the Secretary could temporarily close small parts of designated lands to protect tribal privacy during activities, and closures must be as small and brief as needed and follow federal law. The bill would preserve administration of livestock grazing established before enactment under Wilderness Act rules and committee guidance for Forest Service and Interior lands. The bill would also define "Secretary" to mean the Agriculture Secretary for Agriculture lands and the Interior Secretary for Interior lands and define "State" as California.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/19/2025
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/19/2025
Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/19/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in