Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 1737Washington StateForests, forestry, trees

Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

INTRO MAY 13· LAST ACTION DEC 2

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Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it would permanently protect a significant amount of natural land and rivers, preserving them from development, logging, and other activities that can alter wild ecosystems. If this bill becomes law, it ensures that these specific areas will remain undeveloped, offering critical habitat for wildlife and spaces for people to experience nature in its wildest form for generations to come. This is especially relevant as untouched natural spaces become increasingly rare.

If the bill does not pass, these areas would remain under their current, less restrictive management, potentially allowing for activities that could change their natural character. Voters should care because it impacts the future of public lands, the availability of pristine recreational opportunities, and the balance between conservation and resource use in an iconic American landscape.

KEY PROVISIONS

4AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Designates approximately 126,554 acres of Federal land in the Olympic National Forest as new wilderness areas, making them part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

This provision ensures permanent protection for a large amount of undeveloped land, preserving its natural state for ecosystems and recreation.

PROVISION 02

Expands several existing wilderness areas within the Olympic National Forest by incorporating additional acreage, such as Buckhorn Wilderness, The Brothers Wilderness, and Wonder Mountain Wilderness.

Expanding existing protected areas strengthens their ecological integrity and provides more extensive contiguous wild spaces.

PROVISION 03

Designates approximately 5,346 acres as 'potential wilderness' that will automatically convert to full wilderness status once any nonconforming uses are removed.

This sets aside areas for future protection, allowing for restoration efforts to return them to a wild state before permanent designation.

PROVISION 04

Clarifies that the wilderness designations do not create protective perimeters or buffer zones, allowing activities outside the boundaries even if they are seen or heard inside the wilderness.

This provision aims to address concerns about how wilderness designations might impact neighboring land uses or economic activities.

SPONSORSHIP

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ACTION TIMELINE

3 EVENTS

DEC 2

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

COMMITTEE

MAY 13

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

MAY 13

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

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 1737

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedMay 13, 2025

Last actionDec 2, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED MAY 13, 2025

Senate BillS 1737Washington StateForests, forestry, trees

Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

INTRODUCED MAY 13, 2025· LAST ACTION DEC 2, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

18 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Designates approximately 126,554 acres of Federal land in the Olympic National Forest as new wilderness areas, making them part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

This provision ensures permanent protection for a large amount of undeveloped land, preserving its natural state for ecosystems and recreation.

high

Expands several existing wilderness areas within the Olympic National Forest by incorporating additional acreage, such as Buckhorn Wilderness, The Brothers Wilderness, and Wonder Mountain Wilderness.

Expanding existing protected areas strengthens their ecological integrity and provides more extensive contiguous wild spaces.

med

Designates approximately 5,346 acres as 'potential wilderness' that will automatically convert to full wilderness status once any nonconforming uses are removed.

This sets aside areas for future protection, allowing for restoration efforts to return them to a wild state before permanent designation.

med

Clarifies that the wilderness designations do not create protective perimeters or buffer zones, allowing activities outside the boundaries even if they are seen or heard inside the wilderness.

This provision aims to address concerns about how wilderness designations might impact neighboring land uses or economic activities.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act

Secretary of Agriculture to file a map and legal description of the designated wilderness land with Congress and make them publicly available.

On the date on which the Secretary publishes notice

Potential wilderness areas become full wilderness upon publication of notice in the Federal Register that nonconforming uses have terminated.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Wilderness Area: A protected natural area on federal land where human activities are severely restricted to preserve its pristine, undeveloped condition, without roads, permanent structures, or motorized vehicles.
National Wilderness Preservation System: A collection of federally designated wilderness areas in the United States, managed to protect their natural, untrammeled character for current and future generations.
Wild and Scenic River: A river protected by Congress due to its outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values, preventing damming or other development that would alter its free-flowing condition.
Forest Service: An agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that manages national forests and grasslands, including conservation, recreation, and resource management.
Secretary of Agriculture: The head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, responsible for overseeing federal land management, food, and rural development policies.
Nonconforming Uses: Activities or structures on land that were present before a new zoning or protection designation, but which no longer comply with the new rules. In this context, they must be removed for potential wilderness to become full wilderness.

ACTION TIMELINE

3 EVENTS

DEC 2, 25

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

COMMITTEE

MAY 13, 25

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

MAY 13, 25

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

INTROREFERRAL

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Committee Referrals

Energy and Natural Resources CommitteeReferred

May 13, 2025

senate

Related Hearings

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Energy and Natural Resources Committee (senate)Jul 29, 2026

Video

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Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

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Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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