# Understanding the REC Act of 2022

This bill creates a new partnership between the federal government and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation to manage parts of Mount Hood National Forest and protect the Columbia River Gorge area in Oregon. Think of it as giving Native American tribes a formal seat at the table when decisions are made about how these lands are managed.

The core idea is recognizing that the Warm Springs Tribes have legal rights to hunt, fish, and gather plants in certain areas of Mount Hood National Forest based on treaties signed back in 1855. Instead of the Forest Service making all the decisions alone, this bill creates "Indian Treaty Resources Emphasis Zones" where the tribe and the Forest Service work together as partners. They'll develop shared management plans that protect the tribe's ability to exercise these treaty rights while also addressing modern challenges like wildfires. The tribe will have a real voice in decisions about forest restoration, wildlife habitat, and which areas get treated to reduce fire danger.

The bill also focuses on improving recreation access and infrastructure around Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. It establishes committees to study transportation and access issues, funds the restoration of recreational areas damaged by wildfires, and protects special places like wilderness areas and scenic trails. Additionally, it sets aside money to help manage wildfire risks and rebuild recreational facilities after fires destroy them. For local communities and outdoor enthusiasts, this means better-maintained trails, improved access to popular areas, and coordinated efforts to prevent catastrophic wildfires that could devastate both the landscape and recreation opportunities.

REC Act of 2022

Blumenauer, Earl

Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge Recreation Enhancement and Conservation Act of 2022 or the REC Act of 2022 This bill establishes programs and requirements to support the conservation of and recreational access to the Mount Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in Oregon. Specifically, the bill establishes within Mount Hood National Forest one or more Indian Treaty Resources Emphasis Zones to protect and enhance treaty resources, protect reservations from wildfires, and enable a co-management strategy between the Forest Service and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The bill expands the Mount Hood National Recreation Area. The bill also requires the publication of a comprehensive sustainable recreation management plan for the recreation area and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It also establishes Centers for Recreation Excellence to support the management and enhancement of outdoor recreation in these areas. Additionally, the bill <ul> <li>provides for a wildfire assessment that covers Mount Hood National Forest, federal land within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and any adjacent private, state, or tribal land; </li> <li>designates specified river segments in Oregon as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System and specified areas in Oregon as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System;</li> <li> establishes committees to develop strategies for sustainable access to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Mount Hood National Forest; and </li> <li>requires the Department of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements with certain entities to provide search and rescue, firefighting, and law enforcement services.</li> </ul>