§545b Opal Creek Wilderness and Scenic Recreation Area

Summary

Creates the Opal Creek Wilderness of about 12,800 acres and establishes the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area of about 13,000 acres in the Willamette National Forest in Oregon. Key names: Bull of the Woods Wilderness (part moved into Opal Creek), Opal Creek Wilderness (≈12,800 acres, map dated July 1996), Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area (≈13,000 acres, map dated July 1996), and Secretary (the Secretary of Agriculture). The goals are to protect the area's natural, scenic, recreational, historic, and cultural resources, help the Santiam Canyon economy, and protect drinking water for communities using the North Santiam River. The wilderness and recreation area designations only take effect if, within 2 years after November 12, 1996, the United States receives certain named patented parcels, mining claims, and an easement (including Santiam Number 1, mineral survey 992, patent 39–92–0002 dated December 11, 1991; Ruth Quartz Mine Number 2 and Number 1, mineral survey 994, patent 39–91–0012 dated February 12, 1991; Morning Star Lode, mineral survey 993, patent 36–91–0011 dated February 12, 1991; and an easement across Hewitt, Starvation, and Poor Boy Mill Sites, mineral survey 990, patent 36–91–0017 dated May 9, 1991) and binding agreements for named lode claims (Princess Lode, Black Prince Lode, King Number 4 Lode, described in mineral survey 887). Lands given to the United States become part of the Wilderness or the Scenic Recreation Area as appropriate. If the Secretary acquires the Rosboro section (Section 36, T8S R4E), the Scenic Recreation Area boundary will be expanded; if the Time Mirror property (Section 18, T8S R5E) is acquired, it will be added to the Wilderness. The Secretary of Agriculture will run the Scenic Recreation Area under National Forest rules and must write an Opal Creek Management Plan within 2 years of establishment, working with an advisory council. The plan becomes part of the Willamette National Forest plan and must allow recreation, gathering nontraditional forest products (like mushrooms or basket materials), and education or research. The Secretary must update cultural and historic inventories within 1 year and create interpretive activities with local preservation groups. Motor vehicles are generally banned except as allowed by a transportation plan that keeps reasonable access to existing sites, considers people with disabilities, and limits use and improvement of forest road 2209 beyond the gate to administrative and private-inholder access without paving or widening. Hunting and fishing are allowed, subject to zones, seasons, and consultation with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Tree cutting and timber sales are prohibited except for public safety, administration, or hazard-tree removal, and no salvage sales are allowed. Mining and development in the Bornite Project Area are treated separately: exploration and mining-related activities that follow law may be allowed there, including roads, structures, utilities, and necessary vehicle use, but no new mining patents in the Bornite area after November 12, 1996. The Secretary must set up an advisory council within 90 days with up to 13 members from local government, cities, and interested groups. The Secretary may acquire land needed to carry out these rules, subject to limits on acquiring state land and private land inside the areas. If Rosboro conveys Section 36 (T8S R4E) to the United States, the Secretary must exchange specified lands to Rosboro to equalize value, with the exchange completed within 120 days; Rosboro has 2 years after November 12, 1996 to make the offer or the authority ends. After the Management Plan and a state economic plan are finished, and subject to available funds, the Secretary shall provide $15,000,000 to Oregon for local economic grants and loans; the State must report annually and reuse repaid loan money for further grants and loans.