Flatside Wilderness Additions Act
The Flatside Wilderness Additions Act would expand the Flatside Wilderness in Arkansas by adding about 2,212 acres of land in the Ouachita National Forest. The added land would be incorporated into the Flatside Wilderness and renamed the Flatside-Bethune Wilderness. The designation relies on an amendment to the Arkansas Wilderness Act of 1984 and references a map showing the proposed addition, dated November 12, 2024. The bill also preserves the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to manage fire, insects, and diseases under existing laws and regulations, ensuring ongoing wildfire and pest management is not hindered. As introduced in the Senate, the legislation has a counterpart in the House (which passed it) and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for consideration.
Key Points
- 1Adds approximately 2,212 acres in the Ouachita National Forest to the Flatside Wilderness, expanding the protected area.
- 2Legally amends Section 3(d) of the Arkansas Wilderness Act of 1984 to include the proposed land, with a map detailing the addition.
- 3The designated wilderness would be named the Flatside-Bethune Wilderness; references to the area in federal law would use this name.
- 4The bill clarifies that it does not limit the Secretary of Agriculture’s authority to manage fire, insects, and diseases under the Wilderness Act and applicable laws/regulations.
- 5Status: House passed May 13, 2025; Senate received May 14, 2025 and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for consideration.