California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 114-490.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 9, 2015
California Desert Conservation and Recreation Act of 2015
Amends the California Desert Protection Act of 1994 to, among other things: (1) establish or designate national monuments, wilderness areas, a special management area, off-highway vehicle recreation areas, a national scenic area, and an area of critical environmental concern; (2) release specified wilderness study areas; (3) adjust national park and preserve boundaries; and (4) specify land withdrawals, exchanges, and acquisitions.
Directs that specified federal land be taken into trust for the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe.
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Authorizes the acquisition of lands and interests in land, including improvements, outside the boundary of Joshua Tree National Park in California for the purpose of operating a visitor center.
Makes amendments to the California Desert Protection Act of 1994 regarding the California State School lands.
Amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate specified segments of rivers and creeks as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Sets forth requirements for the disposition of revenues collected as payments for the development of wind and solar energy on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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