§460cccc John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area

Summary

Creates the John Wesley Powell National Conservation Area in Utah. It covers about 29,868 acres shown on a Bureau of Land Management map dated December 10, 2018. The area must be managed to protect its historic, cultural, natural, scientific, scenic, recreational, archaeological, educational, and wildlife values for current and future generations. The Interior Secretary must file an official map and legal description with Congress soon after March 12, 2019, and must make that map available to the public. The Secretary must also write a management plan within 2 years after March 12, 2019, working with Utah, Uintah County, affected Tribes, and the public. Only uses that help the area’s purposes are allowed. The Secretary may buy, accept, or exchange land from willing sellers and must add any federal land acquired after March 12, 2019, into the area. If asked, and if money and conditions allow, the Secretary should try to acquire state-owned land inside the area within 5 years of March 12, 2019. Motor vehicles are allowed only on roads named in the management plan, except for official or emergency use; until the plan is done, current BLM travel rules apply. Existing livestock grazing that was in place before March 12, 2019, may continue with reasonable rules. Utah keeps its usual role over fish and wildlife on federal land. Wildlife water projects and sage-grouse habitat work may be done. The law does not create or change any water rights or affect rights that existed on March 12, 2019. Lands in the area are closed to new public land claims, mining claims, and most mineral leasing. Vegetation and fire management actions consistent with the area’s purposes are allowed. No general recreation fees may be charged except at improved campgrounds. Outfitting, guiding, private land rights, reasonable access, and research programs are all allowed under the rules.