Arkansas wilderness area would grow by 2,212 acres under House bill

What does this do?

HR 1612 would expand the Flatside Wilderness area in the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas by adding approximately 2,212 acres and renaming it the Flatside-Bethune Wilderness. The expanded area would be protected under the federal Wilderness Act, which prohibits roads, motorized vehicles, and commercial development. The bill preserves existing federal authority to manage wildfires, insect outbreaks, and tree diseases in the area.

Who does it affect?

The bill primarily affects hikers, hunters, and outdoor recreation users of the Ouachita National Forest in central Arkansas. People who currently use the 2,212-acre area with motorized equipment such as ATVs would be prohibited from doing so if the bill becomes law, and U.S. Forest Service managers would be required to apply stricter wilderness rules to the newly added acres.

Why does it matter?

Designating the additional 2,212 acres as wilderness would restrict land use in that area to non-motorized, non-commercial activity under the Wilderness Act. Federal land managers would face new obligations in how they oversee the expanded area, while existing fire and pest management tools would remain available.

Where does it stand?