To establish the Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area and Wilderness in the State of Indiana, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · May 23, 2024
Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill establishes the Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area and Wilderness as a new protected area within Indiana's Hoosier National Forest, consisting of approximately 29,382 acres designated for recreation and 15,300 acres added to the existing Charles C. Deam Wilderness. The legislation affects Indiana residents, outdoor enthusiasts, and local communities by protecting water quality in Monroe Reservoir while maintaining hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, and other recreational uses in the areas. The Forest Service must develop a comprehensive management plan within five years in consultation with an advisory committee composed of local officials, conservationists, recreation experts, and tribal representatives. The bill contains no new federal funding requirements, instead directing the Forest Service to use existing appropriations, and it preserves existing rights for private property owners, utilities, and emergency services operating within the designated areas.
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