Huffman Reintroduces Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act

Huffman Reintroduces Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act

Legislation included in Senator Alex Padilla's Package to Protect 1 Million Acres of California Public Lands

Washington, D.C.? - Today, Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) reintroduced his Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act, which would increase fire resilience, restore forests and fish habitat, rehabilitate lands impaired by illegal marijuana growing operations, increase recreation opportunities through new trails and visitor centers, and permanently protect many of northwest California's most spectacular wild places and pristine streams.

"California has some of the most beautiful, iconic landscapes in America. My district is home to old-growth forests, rugged coastlines, and winding rivers that make up the heart and spirit of the North Coast," said Huffman. "Our public lands don't belong to any singular person - we all depend on the ecological, economic, cultural, and mental health benefits they provide. That's why I met with folks from all across my district to create a bill that meets Northern CA's diverse land management needs. I'm proud to partner with Senator Padilla on this legislative package that brings all our regions together, charting out a course to be good stewards of California's treasured spaces so they can endure for generations."

Huffman's legislation was included in U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) sweeping public lands package. The Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act would support the conservation of over 1.7 million acres of California's public lands throughout northwest California, the Central Coast, and Los Angeles County.

"Our public lands and natural spaces are some of California's greatest gifts - from the Northern California Redwoods, to the Carrizo Plain, to the San Gabriel Mountains," said Senator Padilla. "As the Trump Administration tries to sell off our state's precious public lands and waters, we must protect and restore these areas to mitigate wildfire risk, reach California's conservation goals, protect our natural resources, and ensure generations to come can enjoy access to the outdoors. I was thrilled to see President Biden heed our calls to permanently protect the entire San Gabriel Mountains last year, and I urge my colleagues to pass this package to protect access to green space for millions of Californians."

The larger package consists of three bills:

• Huffman's Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act, which bill would permanently protect 484,733 acres of public lands and 479.8 miles of wild and scenic rivers.
• The Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, which is led in the House by Representative Carbajal. The bill would permanently protect 385,842 acres of public lands and 199.3 miles of wild and scenic rivers.
• The San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act, which is led in the House by Representative Judy Chu. The bill would permanently protect 35,335 acres of public lands and 20.2 miles of wild and scenic rivers.

Background

To develop this legislation, Ranking Member Huffman conducted a sweeping public outreach effort in Mendocino, Humboldt, Trinity, and Del Norte counties, consulting with dozens of community leaders, tourism organizations, outdoor recreation groups, restoration specialists, tribes, county supervisors, conservation groups, forestry experts, fisheries scientists, fire ecologists, timber industry, and other business owners. Huffman held four public meetings on the legislative proposal in Eureka, Crescent City, Weaverville, and Ukiah, and has continued to meet with constituents both in California and in Washington D.C. about the bill. The legislation incorporated several changes recommended by constituents, business interests, environmental advocates, landowners, and local elected officials following Huffman's calls for feedback and based on numerous discussions on the bill throughout the last several years.

The legislation includes several innovative new programs to increase fire resilience; restore forests and fish habitat, as well as lands impaired by illegal marijuana growing operations; stimulate local economies through forest stewardship programs; enhance recreational opportunities including through trails and visitor centers; and permanently protect many of northwest California's spectacular wild places and pristine streams. It would not limit hunting or fishing, close any legally open roads or trails to vehicles, or affect access to or the use of private property. The wilderness designations only apply to federal lands, and Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River designations do not impact existing rights and do not limit access. Maps of these proposals, a list of frequently asked questions, a one-page summary of the bill, photographs of the protected areas, and other background information is available here.

Original cosponsors for the Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act of 2025 include Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.).

What Supporters Are Saying

"We're grateful to Representative Huffman for proposing to restore National Forest lands in Trinity and Humboldt.? The bill will improve fire resilience for communities and for key wildlife habitat, especially in the South Fork Trinity River and Mad River watersheds," said Larry Glass of the Northcoast Environmental Center.

Kent Collard, Director of the popular Camp Trinity near Hyampom, praised the bill for "Proposing to protect the Pattison Wilderness and lower Hayfork Creek, places that are critical to the continued success of our business."

"The bill will help restore degraded public lands, and permanently protect wild and scenic rivers and headwater streams, which are critical for the recovery of native salmon and trout in California," said Curtis Knight, Executive Director, California Trout.

"I support the bill because it will improve fire resilience, protect pristine salmon streams, expand four existing wilderness areas and establish two new ones here in Mendocino County, and lead to the development of new trails closer to communities.? I'm grateful that Congressman?Huffman is continuing the effort to pass this important bill," said John Haschak, Chair of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors.?

"Congressman Huffman's?Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act?is a visionary, locally crafted measure that will safeguard the federal lands and waters that make this region an iconic landscape for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. By protecting and restoring forests, rivers, trails, and shorelines, this legislation ensures that future generations of hikers, paddlers, and climbers can continue to enjoy the incredible landscapes in Northern California. It's time to get this critical measure signed into law and secure these outdoor opportunities for years to come," said Katie Hawkins, California Program Director, Outdoor Alliance.

Jora Fogg, California Associate Program Director said, "The Conservation Lands Foundation fully supports?The Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation and Working Forests Act?because it helps conserve essential wilderness while ensuring Californians have access to outstanding natural areas and healthy rivers for recreation. By protecting more than 279,000 acres of Wilderness and 479.8 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers, the bill helps sustain local economies and critical habitat for endangered species, restores fire-resilient forests, safeguards water sources, and cleans up public lands that have been damaged by illegal trespass activity such as marijuana grow sites. The legislation is endorsed by the State of California and we encourage Congress to enact it quickly."

"For anglers, there is no substitute for good habitat. Some of the best steelhead and salmon waters in California, including sections of the Eel and Trinity Rivers, would be better protected under the Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working Forests Act. Trout Unlimited has worked for years to reconnect and restore habitat in many of these waters. We are grateful for Rep. Huffman's commitment to conserving our native steelhead and salmon runs, and to supporting the fishing economies, cultures and communities dependent on them," Sam Davidson, California Policy Director for Trout Unlimited.

"Representative Huffman's Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation and Working Forests Act is a model of community-based conservation, demonstrating how forest restoration, economic development, habitat protection and recreation can work hand in hand in one of California's most spectacular landscapes. This bill strengthens the conservation protections communities depend on, protects the freedom to explore and enjoy these lands and ensures these cherished places endure for future generations," Helen O'Shea, California State Director, The Wilderness Society.

Devin O'Dea, Western Policy & Conservation Manager, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, said, "The PUBLIC Lands Act delivers the kind of durable, stakeholder-driven conservation solutions that hunters and anglers strongly support. By conserving more than 900,000 acres across California, this legislation safeguards wildlife habitat, clean water, and public access while promoting forest restoration and responsible recreation. BHA has long supported the PUBLIC Lands Act as a balanced, locally driven investment in our public lands and outdoor heritage, and we thank Sen. Padilla for continuing to champion this legislation."

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