Bill designates new wilderness and management areas in Shawnee National Forest
Placed on the calendarS. 2548Latest action
Sponsor: Richard J. Durbin · Senator · IL
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The bill creates a 750-acre wilderness area and 12,700 acres of special management zones in Shawnee National Forest.
35-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The bill designates about 750 acres as the "Camp Hutchins Wilderness," the strongest form of federal land protection, closing Forest Road 211 to vehicles. It also creates three "Special Management Areas" totaling roughly 12,700 acres with lighter protections that still ban commercial logging and mining while allowing habitat management tools like prescribed burns and herbicides.
Who does it affect?
This affects recreational users, hunters, and researchers in Shawnee National Forest, nearby landowners with property inside the new boundaries, and the Forest Service, which gains new management duties.
Why does it matter?
The designations restrict roads, motor vehicles, mining, logging, trapping, and motorized hunting access within the affected areas, while preserving existing leases and private property claims.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Based on the “Reported to Senate” text of Oct 27, 2025.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJul 30, 2025
- Senate committee
- Senate voteYou are here · Oct 27, 2025
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: it was placed on the , and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 217.