Special Places Protected by the Oregon Wildlands Bill
With the passage of the Natural Resources Management Act on February 26, 2019 in the United States Congress, Oregon is set to build on its Wild & Scenic River legacy. KS Wild will finally achieve long sought after protections for some of our most treasured rivers. The bill adds 250 miles of rivers and streams to the National Wild & Scenic River system in Oregon, protecting many southwest Oregon streams from old-growth logging, mining, dams, and other threats!
Here is a rundown of the bill's provisions as they apply to southwest Oregon’s public lands and rivers:
The Wild Rogue River
The Wild Rogue River was protected by designating streams that feed the river as National Wild and Scenic Rivers. The Wild Rogue is a stretch of river that runs through a dramatic canyon and attracts thousands of white water enthusiasts every year. While the Rogue’s headwaters are in the Cascade Mountains near Crater Lake, the Wild Rogue Canyon is close to the Pacific Coast, downstream from Grants Pass, Oregon. From Grave Creek downstream to Mule Creek in the Wild Rogue Canyon, several important streams have received protection, including Whiskey, Kelsey, Big Windy, and Mule Creeks. These streams feed cool, clean water to the Rogue, important for rearing salmon and wildlife. The expansion of Wild and Scenic status to these tributaries is the largest mileage gain for wild river protections in the bill. Learn more about the Wild Rogue River.
Rainey Falls on the Wild Rogue River. This stretch only had Wild and Scenic protections for .25 miles on either side of the river, leaving much of the canyon vulnerable. Now, many of the streams that flow into this area are also protected by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. One day this area should be protected as wilderness like areas downriver.
The Chetco River
The Chetco River is the drinking water source for the town of Brookings, and a phenomenal freshwater salmon stream. The river’s water clarity and stunning beauty are world class. However, the upper Checto River has been threatened by mining claims for years. In the headwaters of the Chetco, near the boundary of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, mining interests have sought to develop mines directly in these precious waters. The Oregon Wildlands Act reclassifies portions of the upper Chetco as “wild” thereby removing the threat of mining in this remote stretch of river. Learn more about the Chetco River.
Chetco River Headwaters. Stunning in the purity and clarity of the water. .
Jenny Creek near the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is now a National Wild and Scenic River
Jenny Creek runs in and out of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in southern Oregon just east of Ashland, Oregon. It is home to a native fish called the Jenny Creek Red Band Trout. Pictured here is Jenny Creek Falls photo by Matt Witt.
Elk Creek
Elk Creek is a large tributary to the Rogue River upstream from Shady Cove, Oregon. It is one of the most important spawning streams for wild salmon on the upper Rogue River. This bill deauthorizes the project that has threatened this stream with dam construction and creates a Wild and Scenic stretch of river that will help ensure healthy salmon and aquatic habitat into the future.
When the Elk Creek Dam was about one-third finished, lawsuits to protect endangered salmon led to a court injunction that stopped construction in 1987. After 1992, fish trying to swim past the dam were trapped and hauled around it in trucks. This bill finally deauthorizes the Elk Creek Dam as a project of the federal government. Wikipedia photo.
The Elk River
The Elk River is an phenomenal coastal salmon river that pours into the Pacific Ocean near the town of Port Orford, Oregon. It is one of the most productive salmon streams its size anywhere in North America. This bill would add important protections for tributary streams that feed cool, clean water to the Elk River. Learn more about the Elk River.
Tributaries to the Elk River include the North Fork, South Fork, and Panther Creek. They are now part of the National Wild and Scenic River System.
North Fork Silver Creek
Silver Creek (main stem pictured here) s a stream that feeds the Illinois River downstream from Cave Junction, Oregon. This bill would protect a stretch of the North Fork of Silver Creek deep in the Siskiyou Mountains.
TEXT OF THE OREGON WILDLANDS ACT
SEC. 1205. OREGON WILDLANDS.
(a) Wild And Scenic River Additions, Designations And Technical Corrections.—
(1) ADDITIONS TO ROGUE WILD AND SCENIC RIVER.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
“(5) ROGUE, OREGON.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The segment of the river extending from the mouth of the Applegate River downstream to the Lobster Creek Bridge, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as agreed to by the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture or as directed by the President.
“(B) ADDITIONS.—In addition to the segment described in subparagraph (A), there are designated the following segments in the Rogue River:
“(i) KELSEY CREEK.—The approximately 6.8-mile segment of Kelsey Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 32 S., R. 9 W., sec. 25, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(ii) EAST FORK KELSEY CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 0.2-mile segment of East Fork Kelsey Creek from headwaters downstream to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 8 W., sec. 5, Willamette Meridian, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 4.6-mile segment of East Fork Kelsey Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 8 W., sec. 5, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence with Kelsey Creek, as a wild river.
“(iii) WHISKY CREEK.—
“(I) RECREATIONAL RIVER.—The approximately 1.6-mile segment of Whisky Creek from the confluence of the East Fork and West Fork to the south boundary of the non-Federal land in T. 33 S., R. 8 W., sec. 17, Willamette Meridian, as a recreational river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 1.2-mile segment of Whisky Creek from road 33–8–23 to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(iv) EAST FORK WHISKY CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 0.9-mile segment of East Fork Whisky Creek from its headwaters to Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 8 W., sec. 11, Willamette Meridian, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 2.6-mile segment of East Fork Whisky Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 8 W., sec. 11, Willamette Meridian, downstream to road 33–8–26 crossing, as a wild river.
“(III) RECREATIONAL RIVER.—The approximately 0.3-mile segment of East Fork Whisky Creek from road 33–8–26 to the confluence with Whisky Creek, as a recreational river.
“(v) WEST FORK WHISKY CREEK.—The approximately 4.8-mile segment of West Fork Whisky Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with the East Fork Whisky Creek, as a wild river.
“(vi) BIG WINDY CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 1.5-mile segment of Big Windy Creek from its headwaters to road 34–9–17.1, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 5.8-mile segment of Big Windy Creek from road 34–9–17.1 to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(vii) EAST FORK BIG WINDY CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 0.2-mile segment of East Fork Big Windy Creek from its headwaters to road 34–8–36, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 3.7-mile segment of East Fork Big Windy Creek from road 34–8–36 to the confluence with Big Windy Creek, as a wild river.
“(viii) LITTLE WINDY CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 1.2-mile segment of Little Windy Creek from its headwaters to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 9 W., sec. 33, Willamette Meridian, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 1.9-mile segment of Little Windy Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 9 W., sec. 34, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(ix) HOWARD CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 3.5-mile segment of Howard Creek from its headwaters to road 34–9–34, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 6.9-mile segment of Howard Creek from 0.1 miles downstream of road 34–9–34 to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(III) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 3.5-mile segment of Anna Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with Howard Creek, as a wild river.
“(x) MULE CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 3.5-mile segment of Mule Creek from its headwaters downstream to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 7.8-mile segment of Mule Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 32 S., R. 9 W., sec. 29, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xi) MISSOURI CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 3.1-mile segment of Missouri Creek from its headwaters downstream to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 10 W., sec. 24, Willamette Meridian, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 1.6-mile segment of Missouri Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 10 W., sec. 24, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xii) JENNY CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 3.1-mile segment of Jenny Creek from its headwaters downstream to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 9 W., sec. 28, Willamette Meridian, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 1.8-mile segment of Jenny Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 9 W., sec. 28, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xiii) RUM CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 2.2-mile segment of Rum Creek from its headwaters to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 34 S., R. 8 W., sec. 9, Willamette Meridian, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 2.2-mile segment of Rum Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 34 S., R. 8 W., sec. 9, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xiv) EAST FORK RUM CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 0.8-mile segment of East Fork Rum Creek from its headwaters to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 34 S., R. 8 W., sec. 10, Willamette Meridian, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 1.3-mile segment of East Fork Rum Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 34 S., R. 8 W., sec. 10, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence with Rum Creek, as a wild river.
“(xv) WILDCAT CREEK.—The approximately 1.7-mile segment of Wildcat Creek from its headwaters downstream to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xvi) MONTGOMERY CREEK.—The approximately 1.8-mile segment of Montgomery Creek from its headwaters downstream to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xvii) HEWITT CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 1.4-mile segment of Hewitt Creek from its headwaters to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 9 W., sec. 19, Willamette Meridian, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 1.2-mile segment of Hewitt Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 9 W., sec. 19, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xviii) BUNKER CREEK.—The approximately 6.6-mile segment of Bunker Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xix) DULOG CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 0.8-mile segment of Dulog Creek from its headwaters to 0.1 miles downstream of road 34–8–36, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 1.0-mile segment of Dulog Creek from road 34–8–36 to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xx) QUAIL CREEK.—The approximately 1.7-mile segment of Quail Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 10 W., sec. 1, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxi) MEADOW CREEK.—The approximately 4.1-mile segment of Meadow Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxii) RUSSIAN CREEK.—The approximately 2.5-mile segment of Russian Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 8 W., sec. 20, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxiii) ALDER CREEK.—The approximately 1.2-mile segment of Alder Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxiv) BOOZE CREEK.—The approximately 1.5-mile segment of Booze Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxv) BRONCO CREEK.—The approximately 1.8-mile segment of Bronco Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxvi) COPSEY CREEK.—The approximately 1.5-mile segment of Copsey Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxvii) CORRAL CREEK.—The approximately 0.5-mile segment of Corral Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxviii) COWLEY CREEK.—The approximately 0.9-mile segment of Cowley Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxix) DITCH CREEK.—The approximately 1.8-mile segment of Ditch Creek from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 9 W., sec. 5, Willamette Meridian, to its confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxx) FRANCIS CREEK.—The approximately 0.9-mile segment of Francis Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxxi) LONG GULCH.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 1.4-mile segment of Long Gulch from its headwaters to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 10 W., sec. 23, Willamette Meridian, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 1.1-mile segment of Long Gulch from the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 10 W., sec. 23, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxxii) BAILEY CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 1.4-mile segment of Bailey Creek from its headwaters to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary on the west section line of T. 34 S., R. 8 W., sec. 14, Willamette Meridian, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 1.7-mile segment of Bailey Creek from the west section line of T. 34 S., R.8 W., sec. 14, Willamette Meridian, to the confluence of the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxxiii) SHADY CREEK.—The approximately 0.7-mile segment of Shady Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.
“(xxxiv) SLIDE CREEK.—
“(I) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 0.5-mile segment of Slide Creek from its headwaters to road 33–9–6, as a scenic river.
“(II) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 0.7-mile section of Slide Creek from road 33–9–6 to the confluence with the Rogue River, as a wild river.”.
(B) MANAGEMENT.—Each river segment designated by subparagraph (B) of section 3(a)(5) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)(5)) (as added by subparagraph (A)) shall be managed as part of the Rogue Wild and Scenic River.
(C) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land within the boundaries of the river segments designated by subparagraph (B) of section 3(a)(5) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)(5)) (as added by subparagraph (A)) is withdrawn from all forms of—
(i) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
(ii) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(iii) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
(D) ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS FOR ROGUE RIVER TRIBUTARIES.—
(i) LICENSING BY COMMISSION.—The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission shall not license the construction of any dam, water conduit, reservoir, powerhouse, transmission line, or other project works on or directly affecting any stream described in clause (iv).
(ii) OTHER AGENCIES.—
(I) IN GENERAL.—No department or agency of the United States shall assist by loan, grant, license, or otherwise in the construction of any water resources project on or directly affecting any stream segment that is described in clause (iv), except to maintain or repair water resources projects in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.
(II) EFFECT.—Nothing in this clause prohibits any department or agency of the United States in assisting by loan, grant, license, or otherwise, a water resources project—
(aa) the primary purpose of which is ecological or aquatic restoration;
(bb) that provides a net benefit to water quality and aquatic resources; and
(cc) that is consistent with protecting and enhancing the values for which the river was designated.
(iii) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land located within 1⁄4 mile on either side of the stream segments described in clause (iv) is withdrawn from all forms of—
(I) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
(II) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(III) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
(iv) DESCRIPTION OF STREAM SEGMENTS.—The following are the stream segments referred to in clause (i):
(I) KELSEY CREEK.—The approximately 2.5-mile segment of Kelsey Creek from its headwaters to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 32 S., R. 9 W., sec. 25, Willamette Meridian.
(II) GRAVE CREEK.—The approximately 10.2-mile segment of Grave Creek from the east boundary of T. 34 S., R. 7 W., sec. 1, Willamette Meridian, downstream to the confluence with the Rogue River.
(III) CENTENNIAL GULCH.—The approximately 2.2-mile segment of Centennial Gulch from its headwaters to its confluence with the Rogue River in T. 34 S., R. 7, W., sec. 18, Willamette Meridian.
(IV) QUAIL CREEK.—The approximately 0.8-mile segment of Quail Creek from its headwaters to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 10 W., sec. 1, Willamette Meridian.
(V) DITCH CREEK.—The approximately 0.7-mile segment of Ditch Creek from its headwaters to the Wild Rogue Wilderness boundary in T. 33 S., R. 9 W., sec. 5, Willamette Meridian.
(VI) GALICE CREEK.—The approximately 2.2-mile segment of Galice Creek from the confluence with the North Fork Galice Creek downstream to the confluence with the Rogue River in T. 34 S., R. 8 W., sec. 36, Willamette Meridian.
(VII) QUARTZ CREEK.—The approximately 3.3-mile segment of Quartz Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with the North Fork Galice Creek in T. 35 S., R. 8 W., sec. 4, Willamette Meridian.
(VIII) NORTH FORK GALICE CREEK.—The approximately 5.7-mile segment of the North Fork Galice Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with the South Fork Galice Creek in T. 35 S., R. 8 W., sec. 3, Willamette Meridian.
(2) TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT.—
(A) CHETCO, OREGON.—Section 3(a)(69) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)(69)) is amended—
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
(ii) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking “The 44.5-mile” and inserting the following:
“(A) DESIGNATIONS.—The 44.5-mile”;
(iii) in clause (i) (as so redesignated)—
(I) by striking “25.5-mile” and inserting “27.5-mile”; and
(II) by striking “Boulder Creek at the Kalmiopsis Wilderness boundary” and inserting “Mislatnah Creek”;
(iv) in clause (ii) (as so redesignated)—
(I) by striking “8-mile” and inserting “7.5-mile”; and
(II) by striking “Boulder Creek to Steel Bridge” and inserting “Mislatnah Creek to Eagle Creek”;
(v) in clause (iii) (as so redesignated)—
(I) by striking “11-mile” and inserting “9.5-mile”; and
(II) by striking “Steel Bridge” and inserting “Eagle Creek”; and
(vi) by adding at the end the following:
“(B) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid rights, the Federal land within the boundaries of the river segments designated by subparagraph (A) is withdrawn from all forms of—
“(i) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
“(ii) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
“(iii) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.”.
(B) WHYCHUS CREEK, OREGON.—Section 3(a)(102) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)(102)) is amended—
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking “SQUAW CREEK” and inserting “WHYCHUS CREEK”;
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
(iii) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated)—
(I) by striking “The 15.4-mile” and inserting the following:
“(A) DESIGNATIONS.—The 15.4-mile”; and
(II) by striking “McAllister Ditch, including the Soap Fork Squaw Creek, the North Fork, the South Fork, the East and West Forks of Park Creek, and Park Creek Fork” and inserting “Plainview Ditch, including the Soap Creek, the North and South Forks of Whychus Creek, the East and West Forks of Park Creek, and Park Creek”;
(iv) in clause (ii) (as so redesignated), by striking “McAllister Ditch” and inserting “Plainview Ditch”; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
“(B) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land within the boundaries of the river segments designated by subparagraph (A) is withdrawn from all forms of—
“(i) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
“(ii) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
“(iii) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.”.
(3) WILD AND SCENIC RIVER DESIGNATIONS, WASSON CREEK AND FRANKLIN CREEK, OREGON.—Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(214) FRANKLIN CREEK, OREGON.—The 4.5-mile segment from its headwaters to the private land boundary in sec. 8, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river.
“(215) WASSON CREEK, OREGON.—The 10.1-mile segment in the following classes:
“(A) The 4.2-mile segment from the eastern boundary of T. 21 S., R. 9 W., sec. 17, downstream to the western boundary of T. 21 S., R. 10 W., sec. 12, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a wild river.
“(B) The 5.9-mile segment from the western boundary of T. 21 S., R. 10 W., sec. 12, downstream to the eastern boundary of the northwest quarter of T. 21 S., R. 10 W., sec. 22, to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture as a wild river.”.
(4) WILD AND SCENIC RIVER DESIGNATIONS, MOLALLA RIVER, OREGON.—Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) (as amended by paragraph (3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(216) MOLALLA RIVER, OREGON.—
“(A) IN GENERAL.—The following segments in the State of Oregon, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a recreational river:
“(i) MOLALLA RIVER.—The approximately 15.1-mile segment from the southern boundary line of T. 7 S., R. 4 E., sec. 19, downstream to the edge of the Bureau of Land Management boundary in T. 6 S., R. 3 E., sec. 7.
“(ii) TABLE ROCK FORK MOLALLA RIVER.—The approximately 6.2-mile segment from the easternmost Bureau of Land Management boundary line in the NE1⁄4 sec. 4, T. 7 S., R. 4 E., downstream to the confluence with the Molalla River.
“(B) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land within the boundaries of the river segments designated by subparagraph (A) is withdrawn from all forms of—
“(i) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
“(ii) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
“(iii) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.”.
(5) DESIGNATION OF ADDITIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS.—
(A) ELK RIVER, OREGON.—
(i) IN GENERAL.—Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (76) and inserting the following:
“(76) ELK, OREGON.—The 69.2-mile segment to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture in the following classes:
“(A) MAINSTEM.—The 17-mile segment from the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Elk to Anvil Creek as a recreational river.
“(B) NORTH FORK.—
“(i) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 0.6-mile segment of the North Fork Elk from its source in T. 33 S., R. 12 W., sec. 21, Willamette Meridian, downstream to 0.01 miles below Forest Service Road 3353, as a scenic river.
“(ii) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 5.5-mile segment of the North Fork Elk from 0.01 miles below Forest Service Road 3353 to its confluence with the South Fork Elk, as a wild river.
“(C) SOUTH FORK.—
“(i) SCENIC RIVER.—The approximately 0.9-mile segment of the South Fork Elk from its source in the southeast quarter of T. 33 S., R. 12 W., sec. 32, Willamette Meridian, Forest Service Road 3353, as a scenic river.
“(ii) WILD RIVER.—The approximately 4.2-mile segment of the South Fork Elk from 0.01 miles below Forest Service Road 3353 to its confluence with the North Fork Elk, as a wild river.
“(D) OTHER TRIBUTARIES.—
“(i) ROCK CREEK.—The approximately 1.7-mile segment of Rock Creek from its headwaters to the west boundary of T. 32 S., R. 14 W., sec. 30, Willamette Meridian, as a wild river.
“(ii) BALD MOUNTAIN CREEK.—The approximately 8-mile segment of Bald Mountain Creek from its headwaters, including Salal Spring to its confluence with Elk River, as a recreational river.
“(iii) SOUTH FORK BALD MOUNTAIN CREEK.—The approximately 3.5-mile segment of South Fork Bald Mountain Creek from its headwaters to its confluence with Bald Mountain Creek, as a scenic river.
“(iv) PLATINUM CREEK.—The approximately 1-mile segment of Platinum Creek from—
“(I) its headwaters to Forest Service Road 5325, as a wild river; and
“(II) Forest Service Road 5325 to its confluence with Elk River, as a scenic river.
“(v) PANTHER CREEK.—The approximately 5.0-mile segment of Panther Creek from—
“(I) its headwaters, including Mountain Well, to Forest Service Road 5325, as a wild river; and
“(II) Forest Service Road 5325 to its confluence with Elk River, as a scenic river.
“(vi) EAST FORK PANTHER CREEK.—The approximately 3.0-mile segment of East Fork Panther Creek from it headwaters, to the confluence with Panther Creek, as a wild river.
“(vii) WEST FORK PANTHER CREEK.—The approximately 3.0-mile segment of West Fork Panther Creek from its headwaters to the confluence with Panther Creek as a wild river.
“(viii) LOST CREEK.—The approximately 1.0-mile segment of Lost Creek from—
“(I) its headwaters to Forest Service Road 5325, as a wild river; and
“(II) Forest Service Road 5325 to its confluence with the Elk River, as a scenic river.
“(ix) MILBURY CREEK.—The approximately 1.5-mile segment of Milbury Creek from—
“(I) its headwaters to Forest Service Road 5325, as a wild river; and
“(II) Forest Service Road 5325 to its confluence with the Elk River, as a scenic river.
“(x) BLACKBERRY CREEK.—The approximately 5.0-mile segment of Blackberry Creek from—
“(I) its headwaters to Forest Service Road 5325, as a wild river; and
“(II) Forest Service Road 5325 to its confluence with the Elk River, as a scenic river.
“(xi) EAST FORK BLACKBERRY CREEK.—The approximately 2.0-mile segment of the unnamed tributary locally known as ‘East Fork Blackberry Creek’ from its headwaters in T. 33 S., R. 13 W., sec. 26, Willamette Meridian, to its confluence with Blackberry Creek, as a wild river.
“(xii) MCCURDY CREEK.—The approximately 1.0-mile segment of McCurdy Creek from—
“(I) its headwaters to Forest Service Road 5325, as a wild river; and
“(II) Forest Service Road 5325 to its confluence with the Elk River, as a scenic river.
“(xiii) BEAR CREEK.—The approximately 1.5-mile segment of Bear Creek from headwaters to the confluence with Bald Mountain Creek, as a recreational river.
“(xiv) BUTLER CREEK.—The approximately 4-mile segment of Butler Creek from—
“(I) its headwaters to the south boundary of T. 33 S., R. 13 W., sec. 8, Willamette Meridian, as a wild river; and
“(II) from the south boundary of T. 33 S., R. 13 W., sec. 8, Willamette Meridian, to its confluence with Elk River, as a scenic river.
“(xv) EAST FORK BUTLER CREEK.—The approximately 2.8-mile segment locally known as the ‘East Fork of Butler Creek’ from its headwaters on Mount Butler in T. 32 S., R. 13 W., sec. 29, Willamette Meridian, to its confluence with Butler Creek, as a scenic river.
“(xvi) PURPLE MOUNTAIN CREEK.—The approximately 2.0-mile segment locally known as ‘Purple Mountain Creek’ from—
“(I) its headwaters in secs. 35 and 36, T. 33 S., R. 14 W., Willamette Meridian, to 0.01 miles above Forest Service Road 5325, as a wild river; and
“(II) 0.01 miles above Forest Service Road 5325 to its confluence with the Elk River, as a scenic river.”.
(ii) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land within the boundaries of the river segments designated by paragraph (76) of section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) (as amended by clause (i)) is withdrawn from all forms of—
(I) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
(II) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(III) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
(B) DESIGNATION OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVER SEGMENTS.—
(i) IN GENERAL.—Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) (as amended by paragraph (4)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(217) NESTUCCA RIVER, OREGON.—The approximately 15.5-mile segment from its confluence with Ginger Creek downstream until it crosses the western edge of T. 4 S., R. 7 W., sec. 7, Willamette Meridian, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a recreational river.
“(218) WALKER CREEK, OREGON.—The approximately 2.9-mile segment from the headwaters in T. 3 S., R. 6 W., sec. 20 downstream to the confluence with the Nestucca River in T. 3 S., R. 6 W., sec. 15, Willamette Meridian, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a recreational river.
“(219) NORTH FORK SILVER CREEK, OREGON.—The approximately 6-mile segment from the headwaters in T. 35 S., R. 9 W., sec. 1 downstream to the western edge of the Bureau of Land Management boundary in T. 35 S., R. 9 W., sec. 17, Willamette Meridian, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a recreational river.
“(220) JENNY CREEK, OREGON.—The approximately 17.6-mile segment from the Bureau of Land Management boundary located at the north boundary of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of T. 38 S., R. 4 E., sec. 34, Willamette Meridian, downstream to the Oregon State border, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a scenic river.
“(221) SPRING CREEK, OREGON.—The approximately 1.1-mile segment from its source at Shoat Springs in T. 40 S., R. 4 E., sec. 34, Willamette Meridian, downstream to the confluence with Jenny Creek in T. 41 S., R. 4 E., sec. 3, Willamette Meridian, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a scenic river.
“(222) LOBSTER CREEK, OREGON.—The approximately 5-mile segment from T. 15 S., R. 8 W., sec. 35, Willamette Meridian, downstream to the northern edge of the Bureau of Land Management boundary in T. 15 S., R. 8 W., sec. 15, Willamette Meridian, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a recreational river.
“(223) ELK CREEK, OREGON.—The approximately 7.3-mile segment from its confluence with Flat Creek near river mile 9, to the southern edge of the Army Corps of Engineers boundary in T. 33 S., R. 1 E., sec. 30, Willamette Meridian, near river mile 1.7, to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior as a scenic river.”.
(ii) ADMINISTRATION OF ELK CREEK.—
(I) LATERAL BOUNDARIES OF ELK CREEK.—The lateral boundaries of the river segment designated by paragraph (223) of section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) (as added by clause (i)) shall include an average of not more than 640 acres per mile measured from the ordinary high water mark on both sides of the river segment.
(II) DEAUTHORIZATION.—The Elk Creek Project authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1962 (Public Law 87–874; 76 Stat. 1192) is deauthorized.
(iii) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land within the boundaries of the river segments designated by paragraphs (217) through (223) of section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274(a)) (as added by clause (i)) is withdrawn from all forms of—
(I) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
(II) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(III) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
(b) Devil’s Staircase Wilderness.—
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection:
(A) MAP.—The term “map” means the map entitled “Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Proposal” and dated July 26, 2018.
(B) SECRETARY.—The term “Secretary” means—
(i) the Secretary, with respect to public land administered by the Secretary; or
(ii) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National Forest System land.
(C) STATE.—The term “State” means the State of Oregon.
(D) WILDERNESS.—The term “Wilderness” means the Devil’s Staircase Wilderness designated by paragraph (2).
(2) DESIGNATION.—In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the approximately 30,621 acres of Forest Service land and Bureau of Land Management land in the State, as generally depicted on the map, is designated as wilderness and as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System, to be known as the “Devil’s Staircase Wilderness”.
(3) MAP; LEGAL DESCRIPTION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare a map and legal description of the Wilderness.
(B) FORCE OF LAW.—The map and legal description prepared under subparagraph (A) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this subsection, except that the Secretary may correct clerical and typographical errors in the map and legal description.
(C) AVAILABILITY.—The map and legal description prepared under subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
(4) ADMINISTRATION.—Subject to valid existing rights, the area designated as wilderness by this subsection shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that—
(A) any reference in that Act to the effective date shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act; and
(B) any reference in that Act to the Secretary of Agriculture shall be considered to be a reference to the Secretary that has jurisdiction over the land within the Wilderness.
(5) FISH AND WILDLIFE.—Nothing in this subsection affects the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State with respect to fish and wildlife in the State.
(6) ADJACENT MANAGEMENT.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this subsection creates any protective perimeter or buffer zone around the Wilderness.
(B) ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE WILDERNESS.—The fact that a nonwilderness activity or use on land outside the Wilderness can be seen or heard within the Wilderness shall not preclude the activity or use outside the boundary of the Wilderness.
(7) PROTECTION OF TRIBAL RIGHTS.—Nothing in this subsection diminishes any treaty rights of an Indian Tribe.
(8) TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Administrative jurisdiction over the approximately 49 acres of Bureau of Land Management land north of the Umpqua River in T. 21 S., R. 11 W., sec. 32, is transferred from the Bureau of Land Management to the Forest Service.
(B) ADMINISTRATION.—The Secretary shall administer the land transferred by subparagraph (A) in accordance with—
(i) the Act of March 1, 1911 (commonly known as the “Weeks Law”) (16 U.S.C. 480 et seq.); and
(ii) any laws (including regulations) applicable to the National Forest System.
