A bill to establish the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area in the State of California, and for other purposes.

Summary

Designates the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area in California. Provides that the scenic area shall become part of the Inyo National Forest. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire the lands and interest therein within the scenic area. Specifies acquisition procedures. Requires the Secretary to protect the geologic, ecologic, and cultural resources and to provide for recreational use of the scenic area. Requires the Secretary to permit the full use of the scenic area for scientific study and research. Prohibits commercial timber harvesting but allows noncommercial woodgathering for private purposes. Permits individuals holding currently valid grazing permits within the scenic area boundaries to continue to exercise grazing rights. Permits the reissuance of existing permits to the current permit holder as of the enactment of this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit to specified congressional committees a comprehensive management plan for the scenic area. Requires the construction of a visitor center within the scenic area. Withdraws federally owned lands and waters within the scenic area from entry or appropriation under the mining laws, from operation of the mineral leasing laws and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, and from disposition under the public land laws. Subjects all mining claims within the scenic area to regulations designed to protect the resources of the area. Requires the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences for a study of the ecology of the scenic area. Requires the Academy to transmit such study to specified congressional committees and to the Chief of the Forest Service by January 1, 1987. Establishes the Scenic Area Advisory Board which shall advise the Secretary on the administration of the scenic area, the preparation and implementation of the management plan for the scenic area, and the location of the visitor center. Terminates the Board ten years after its first meeting. Requires the Secretary to insure nonexclusive access to the scenic area by Indian people for traditional cultural and religious purposes. Authorizes appropriations.

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1 official file

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 16 June 1983

  Open at official source

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