§539n Crystal Springs Watershed Special Resources Management Unit

Summary

After the land exchange called for in section 1206(a)(2), the Forest Service must create a protected area named the Crystal Springs Watershed Special Resources Management Unit, shown on a June 2006 map. Lands in it that were made wilderness by section 1202 are not included. Except for existing valid rights on March 30, 2009, the Federal land in the unit is taken out of most public‑land, mining, and mineral leasing laws, except the parcel labeled “HES 151” is not removed from the public‑land entry rules. The unit’s goals are to protect the quality and amount of drinking water for Hood River County and to let people enjoy the area’s scenic, natural, cultural, and wildlife values. As soon as possible after March 30, 2009, the Secretary must file the map and legal description with the two Congressional committees; that map has the force of law and must be available to the public. The unit is run under National Forest rules and only used in ways that match the goals. The Secretary may do fuel‑reduction and forest‑health work (including around buildings, along certain roads, and to restore previously logged areas) and may close or gate Forest Service roads (but is not required to close Cloud Cap Road). New road building, commercial timber sales, commercial grazing, new fuel tanks, and most toxic chemical uses are banned on the unit. Private owners keep their current use and access, the Secretary is encouraged to cooperate with willing owners, and the Secretary may buy willing sellers’ land in the “Zone of Contribution” and add it to the unit.