Sponsor
Joseph Neguse
Representative · D-CO
Representative · D-CO
The bill permanently protects roughly 6,800 acres and preserves tribal access and recreational values in Routt National Forest, while imposing new restrictions on resource development and motorized uses and increasing management responsibilities and occasional temporary access limits.
Residents and visitors in and near Routt National Forest (rural and urban communities) gain permanent protection for ~6,817 acres by adding the land to the Sarvis Creek Wilderness, preserving wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities.
Indigenous tribal communities retain and can exercise treaty-protected access and cultural practices within the Sarvis Creek Wilderness Addition.
Local communities and small businesses could see sustained nature-based recreation and tourism benefits from the expanded wilderness designation.
Nearby landowners, timber operators, energy developers, utilities, and some businesses will face new restrictions on resource development, infrastructure, and certain motorized uses across the newly designated acreage, limiting economic activities.
Recreational users and local governments will lose or have reduced access for motorized recreation and other existing uses that are inconsistent with wilderness rules.
Designation and management of the addition will increase administrative responsibilities and costs for the Forest Service (boundary disputes, enforcement, tribal coordination), potentially redirecting agency resources or increasing taxpayer expenses.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Designates ~6,817 acres of Routt National Forest as part of Sarvis Creek Wilderness and sets management and tribal-access rules.
Official title: To amend the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 to add certain land to the Sarvis Creek Wilderness, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 8, 2025 by Joseph Neguse · Last progress April 8, 2025
Adds about 6,817 acres of Routt National Forest land to the Sarvis Creek Wilderness and sets administration rules for that addition. It preserves tribal treaty rights and authorizes tribal access for traditional, religious, and cultural uses, and allows the Secretary to carry out limited vegetation- and pest-management activities (fire, insects, disease) needed to protect the wilderness.