§539n Crystal Springs Watershed Special Resources Management Unit

Summary

After the land swap in section 1206(a)(2) is finished, certain Forest Service lands shown on a June 2006 map will become the Crystal Springs Watershed Special Resources Management Unit. The unit does not include any land made wilderness by section 1202. The federal land in the unit is closed to new public land claims, mining claims, and mineral or geothermal leasing, but valid rights that existed on March 30, 2009 still count. The rule against public land entry does not apply to the parcel labeled “HES 151” on the map. The unit’s main goals are to protect the Crystal Springs water supply for Hood River County residents and to let visitors enjoy the area’s scenery, nature, culture, and wildlife. Soon after March 30, 2009, the Secretary must send the official map and legal description to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee, keep copies available to the public, and may fix typos. The Secretary must run the unit under National Forest rules and only allow uses that match its goals. The Secretary may do fuel-reduction and forest-health work to protect water, scenery, and wildlife, including work within 400 feet of buildings or certain roads (Cooper Spur Road, Cloud Cap Road, Cooper Spur Ski Area Loop Road) and to restore previously logged areas. New road building, renovating non-Forest roads (unless needed for safety), commercial timber projects, commercial livestock grazing, new fuel storage tanks, and most toxic chemical use are banned on Forest Service land in the unit, subject to existing rights. The Secretary may close or gate Forest Service roads in the unit but is not required to close the road known as Cloud Cap Road. Private landowners and their guests keep their access inside the area called the “Crystal Springs Zone of Contribution.” The Secretary may buy land there from willing owners; purchased land becomes part of the unit on the day it is bought.