(Updated July 24, 2006)

H.R. 3603
Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act  

Floor Situation

The House is scheduled to consider H.R. 3603 under suspension of the rules on Monday, July 24, 2006.  The bill is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.

Summary

H.R. 3603 requires the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, and the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to convey specified parcels of federal land to certain counties and cities in central Idaho. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the State of Idaho a specified parcel of BLM land for a motorized recreation park. The measure also directs the Secretary of Agriculture to construct a trail for use by pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles and as a snowmobile route.

H.R. 3603 addresses the extension of guide and outfitter operating permits authorizing activities in the Boulder-White Cloud Management Area (BWCMA) established by this Act or wilderness areas designated under this Act. The bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to submit to Congress a specified study addressing fire risk mitigation measures in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA). The measure directs the Secretary of the Interior to expand and improve the Herd Lake Campground facilities located below the outlet of Herd Lake. H.R. 3603 allows the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to execute one or more land exchanges with the State for the purpose of eliminating state inholdings within the boundaries of the SNRA and the wilderness areas designated by this Act.

H.R. 3603 designates specified parcels of federal land in central Idaho as wilderness areas to be managed as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS). The measure repeals existing law requiring review of portions of the SNRA for possible inclusion in the NWPS. The bill establishes the BWCMA on federal lands in the Challis National Forest, SNRA, and Challis District of the BLM that are not designated as wilderness areas under this Act. H.R. 3603 authorizes appropriations for a grant to Idaho's Off Road Motor Vehicle Program. Lastly, the bill establishes a voluntary grazing permit waiver program.

Legislative History

H.R. 3603 was introduced by Rep. Simpson (ID) on July 28, 2005. The bill was ordered to be reported, as amended, in the nature of a substitute, by voice vote, on July 19, 2006.

For additional information or questions, please contact the Resources Committee at 5-2761.