Designation of the Rocky Mountain Scientific Research and Education Area

(a) Designation Subject to valid existing rights, certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service comprising approximately 12,250 acres, as generally depicted as Rocky Mountain Scientific Research and Education Area on the map entitled Sheet 3: Kebler and Schofield Pass and dated August 27, 2024, is designated as the Rocky Mountain Scientific Research and Education Area. (b) Purposes The purposes of the Scientific Research and Education Area are— (1) to encourage and preserve conditions necessary for ecological, evolutionary, geological, biogeochemical, climatological, biological, meteorological, and other natural science research and education; (2) to provide opportunities for the use of continually emerging techniques and methodologies in the conduct of the research and education described in paragraph (1); and (3) to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations the natural, scenic, scientific, cultural, watershed, recreation, and wildlife resources of the Scientific Research and Education Area. (c) Management (1) In general The Secretary shall manage the Scientific Research and Education Area in a manner that— (A) furthers the purposes of the Scientific Research and Education Area described in subsection (b); and (B) is in accordance with— (i) this Act; and (ii) other applicable laws. (2) Uses (A) In general The Secretary shall only allow uses of the Scientific Research and Education Area that the Secretary determines would further the purposes described in subsection (b). (B) Vehicle use Except as needed for administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency, the use of off-highway vehicles in the Scientific Research and Education Area shall be permitted only on roads designated for the use on the date of enactment of this Act. (C) Bicycles The use of bicycles in the Scientific Research and Education Area shall be permitted only— (i) on roads and trails designated for the use by the Secretary on the date of enactment of this Act; or (ii) on trails designated for the use by the Secretary after the date of enactment of this Act if the Secretary determines that the use is consistent with the purposes described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b). (d) Effect Nothing in this section limits the authority of the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory to conduct scientific research or education activities inside or outside the boundaries of the Scientific Research and Education Area.