Arkansas wilderness area would grow by 2,212 acres under House bill
Placed on the calendarH.R. 1612Latest action
Sponsor: J. French Hill · Representative · AR
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Flatside Wilderness Additions Act
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 1612 adds 2,212 acres to Flatside Wilderness in Arkansas and bans motorized vehicles in the newly protected land.
55-second read · 4 questions answered below
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.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedFeb 26, 2025
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Oct 27, 2025
- The president's desk
Right now: it was placed on the , and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 219.