PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 525.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 31, 2023
Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California Lands Act or the PUBLIC Lands Act
This bill sets forth provisions concerning the restoration, economic development, and conservation of, and recreational access to, certain public lands in California.
The bill establishes
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
the South Fork Trinity-Mad River Restoration Area,
the California Public Lands Remediation Partnership,
the Horse Mountain Special Management Area,
the Elk Camp Ridge Recreation Trail,
the Sanhedrin Special Conservation Management Area, and
the Condor National Scenic Trail.
The bill designates specified federal lands as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System or as potential wilderness areas and renames the North Fork Wilderness as the North Fork Eel River Wilderness. It also designates wild and scenic rivers.
The bill
authorizes the utilization of certain forest residues for research and development of biobased products that result in net carbon sequestration,
authorizes initiatives to restore degraded redwood forest ecosystems in the Redwood National Forest and state parks,
requires specified recreational studies and partnerships, and
expands the boundaries of the Elkhorn Ridge Wilderness and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
Finally, the bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to issue a special use authorization to the owners of a water transport or diversion facility in the Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness for the continued operation, maintenance, and reconstruction of the facility if specified conditions are met.
People & committees
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 525.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 118-232.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 118-232.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 118-285.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1846-1847)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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