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S. 2159

Big Sur National Forest Scenic Area Act

Big Sur National Forest Scenic Area Act - Designates the Big Sur coastal area within and adjacent to the Los Padres National Forest, California, as the Big Sur National Forest Scenic Area. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Chief of the Forest Service, to administer all Federal lands within such Area as a separate unit within the Los Padres National Forest as part of the National Forest System. Requires the Secretary to provide recreational and interpretive facilities within such Area. Permits other uses not incompatible with scenic designation, including grazing and the collecting of wood for home use.

Requires the Secretary to report, within three years, to the appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive management plan for such Area.

Establishes the Scenic Area Advisory Board to advise the Secretary on the administration of such Area.

Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands within the Scenic Area, as specified. Permits current owners to retain limited rights in such property when conveyed.

Directs the Secretary to convey to the County of Monterey, California, all Area lands not within the Los Padres National Forest boundary, except as specified.

Establishes the Big Sur Coast Trust as a nonprofit corporation to administer gifts of property and other gifts, the income to be used for acquiring lands or land interests within the Scenic Area. Authorizes the Secretary to provide certain services to the Trust. Requires the Trust to report annually to the Congress, including a full accounting of its financial management. Requires the Secretary to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Trust, setting forth its relationship with the Secretary which includes conveying all land titles to the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations for the establishment of the Trust.

Withdraws specified submerged lands of the California Outer Continental Shelf from oil and gas leasing and development.

Subcommittee on Public Lands and Reserved Water. Hearings held.

Sen. Wilson, Pete [R-CA](R-CA)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 D
1cosponsors1committees6actions19subjects
  1. Committee

    Subcommittee on Public Lands and Reserved Water. Hearings held.

    Public Lands, Reserved Water and Resource Conservation Subcommittee
  2. Committee

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Interior Department.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  3. Committee

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Agriculture Department, OMB.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  4. Committee

    Referred to Subcommittee on Public Lands and Reserved Water.

    Public Lands, Reserved Water and Resource Conservation Subcommittee
  5. IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  6. IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate