# What the Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act Does

This bill expands a protected recreation area along the Smith River to include new land in Oregon, while also protecting several wild rivers in that state. Think of it as drawing new boundaries on a map to include more forest and river land under federal protection.

Currently, the Smith River National Recreation Area exists mainly in California. This bill extends it northward into Oregon, adding roughly 555 acres of land known as the Cedar Creek Parcel that the federal government will acquire from Oregon's state land board. The expansion protects additional streams and tributaries—small rivers that feed into the North Fork Smith River—by designating them as "wild rivers" under federal law. This designation means these waterways get special protection: they must remain in their natural state without dams, bridges, or major development. The bill specifically protects 24 different river segments in Oregon, with names like Baldface Creek, Chrome Creek, and Cedar Creek.

For most people, this means these Oregon rivers and surrounding forests will be managed for recreation and conservation rather than logging or other commercial uses. Hikers, fishermen, and nature enthusiasts will have access to these areas for outdoor activities. The bill also requires the federal government to work with Native American tribes who have historical ties to the region, allowing them to gather traditional plants and materials for cultural purposes. Additionally, the bill clarifies that wildfire management and forest health projects can still happen in the recreation area—the government isn't locking up the land completely, but rather managing it to balance recreation, conservation, and practical forest management.

Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act

Huffman, Jared

Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act This bill expands the Smith River National Recreation Area in California into Oregon and designates specified segments of the North Fork Smith River as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (NWSRS). The management emphasis for any portion of the recreation area in Oregon shall be on roadless backcountry and white-water recreation. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall study the additions to the recreation area, including inventories and assessments of water features (e.g., streams and lakes). USDA shall modify any applicable management plan to protect the resources inventoried. USDA shall seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding with applicable Indian tribes to (1) provide them with access to the portions of the recreation area in Oregon to conduct historical and cultural activities; and (2) develop interpretive information to be provided to the public on the history of, and use of the area by, those tribes. On the adoption of a resolution by the State Land Board of Oregon, USDA shall acquire the 555 acres of land known as the Cedar Creek Parcel in Oregon. A streamside protection zone in which timber harvesting is prohibited (with exceptions) shall be established for each of the designated North Fork Smith River segments.