Proposed Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area and Wilderness

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

The bill designates approximately 29,382 acres as a National Recreation Area and adds roughly 15,300 acres to the existing Charles C. Deam Wilderness, which will change land management rules for residents and visitors in those areas.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Local residents near the National Recreation Area

Residents living within 2 miles of the boundary are eligible for appointment to the advisory committee.

Utility companies and local government entities

Entities like the Smithville Telephone Company and Jackson County Water Utility retain access rights to maintain infrastructure within the wilderness addition.

Recreational users

Users are subject to new management plans, trail plans, and potential seasonal closures for specific activities.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill proposes to establish the Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area and Wilderness within the Hoosier National Forest in Indiana. It outlines management requirements for recreation, hunting, and water protection while ensuring no additional federal funds are authorized for these activities.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this bill cost taxpayers more money?

No. The bill explicitly states that no additional funds are authorized and that the Act must be carried out using existing funds.

Can I still hunt, fish, or trap in these areas?

Yes, the bill allows these activities, though the Secretary of Agriculture may establish specific zones or seasons where they are prohibited for safety or conservation reasons.

How will this affect private land within the area?

The bill states that it does not preclude the ownership, use, or enjoyment of private land within the National Recreation Area and Wilderness, nor does it affect access to private land or cemeteries.

Why It Matters

The bill designates approximately 29,382 acres as a National Recreation Area and adds roughly 15,300 acres to the existing Charles C. Deam Wilderness, which will change land management rules for residents and visitors in those areas.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Related Legislation

Federal Bill85% related

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This bill implements recommendations from the 2023 Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission report to improve wildfire training, firefighter

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Zero-Budget Mandate

The bill explicitly prohibits new appropriations, forcing the Forest Service to reallocate existing resources to manage the new 29,382-acre recreation area.

Secretary of Agriculture

Connected Entities

organizationCorps of Engineers“Consulted in the development of the Recreation Area's management plan.”Map →

locationMonroe Reservoir“A key water source requiring protection within the Recreation Area.”Map →

personSecretary“The federal official responsible for implementing the Act.”Map →

bill_numberWilderness Act“The legal basis for wilderness management within the designated area.”Map →

locationBenjamin Harrison National Recreation Area“The subject of the bill's establishment.”Map →

organizationState Department of Natural Resources“Consulted in the development of the Recreation Area's management plan.”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance75
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level