Administration of wilderness

(a) In general Subject to valid existing rights, the wilderness areas shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with this Act and the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that— (1) any reference in the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) to the effective date of that Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) any reference in the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) to the Secretary of Agriculture shall be considered to be a reference to the Secretary that has jurisdiction over the wilderness area. (b) Fire management and related activities (1) In general The Secretary may take any measures in a wilderness area as are necessary for the control of fire, insects, and diseases in accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)). (2) Funding priorities Nothing in this Act limits funding for fire and fuels management in the wilderness areas. (3) Revision and development of local fire management plans As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall amend the local information in the Fire Management Reference System or individual operational plans that apply to the land designated as a wilderness area. (4) Administration In accordance with paragraph (1) and any other applicable Federal law, to ensure a timely and efficient response to a fire emergency in the wilderness areas, the Secretary shall— (A) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, establish agency approval procedures (including appropriate delegations of authority to the Forest Supervisor, District Manager, and other applicable agency field office officials) for responding to fire emergencies; and (B) enter into agreements with appropriate State or local agencies. (c) Grazing The grazing of livestock in the wilderness areas, if established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be permitted to continue, subject to any reasonable regulations as the Secretary considers necessary in accordance with— (1) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4)); (2) the guidelines set forth in Appendix A of House Report 101–405, accompanying H.R. 2570 of the 101st Congress for land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior; (3) the guidelines set forth in House Report 96–617, accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress for land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture; and (4) all other laws governing livestock grazing on Federal public land. (d) Fish and wildlife (1) In general In accordance with section 4(d)(7) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(7)), nothing in this Act affects the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State with respect to fish and wildlife on public land in the State. (2) Management activities In furtherance of the purposes and principles of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the Secretary may conduct any management activities that are necessary to maintain or restore fish and wildlife populations and habitats in the wilderness areas, if the management activities are— (A) consistent with relevant wilderness management plans; (B) conducted in accordance with appropriate policies, such as the policies established in Appendix B of House Report 101–405; and (C) in accordance with memoranda of understanding between the Federal agencies and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife. (e) Buffer zones (1) In general Congress does not intend for the designation of wilderness areas by this Act to lead to the creation of protective perimeters or buffer zones around each wilderness area. (2) Activities or uses up to boundaries The fact that nonwilderness activities or uses can be seen or heard from within a wilderness area shall not, of itself, preclude the activities or uses up to the boundary of the wilderness area. (f) Military activities Nothing in this Act precludes— (1) low-level overflights of military aircraft over the wilderness areas; (2) the designation of new units of special airspace over the wilderness areas; or (3) the use or establishment of military flight training routes over wilderness areas. (g) Horses Nothing in this Act precludes horseback riding in, or the entry of recreational saddle or pack stock into, a wilderness area— (1) in accordance with section 4(d)(5) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(5)); and (2) subject to any terms and conditions determined to be necessary by the Secretary. (h) Withdrawal Subject to valid existing rights, the wilderness areas are withdrawn from— (1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials. (i) Incorporation of acquired land and interests Any land within the boundary of a wilderness area that is acquired by the United States shall— (1) become part of the wilderness area in which the land is located; and (2) be managed in accordance with— (A) this section; (B) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and (C) any other applicable law. (j) Climatological data collection In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) and subject to terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may authorize the installation and maintenance of hydrologic, meteorologic, or climatological collection devices in the wilderness areas if the Secretary determines that the facilities and access to the facilities are essential to flood warning, flood control, or water reservoir operation activities.