Bill Overview
Title: Flatside Wilderness Additions Act
Description: This bill adds specified lands to the Flatside Wilderness in the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas. The bill also redesignates the wilderness as the Flatside-Bethune Wilderness.
Sponsors: Rep. Hill, J. French [R-AR-2]
Target Audience
Population: People worldwide who use or are affected by alterations to the Ouachita National Forest
Estimated Size: 50000
- The bill affects land designation within the Ouachita National Forest, impacting local ecosystems and potentially affecting wildlife conservation efforts.
- Additional wilderness protection may limit certain types of land use activities like logging, mining, or motorized recreation.
- Individuals who live nearby or who use the area for recreation such as hiking, camping, or hunting may be impacted.
- There may also be effects on local economies related to changes in tourism and land use.
- The bill impacts agency management of the land, specifically the U.S. Forest Service, which is responsible for managing national forests and wilderness areas.
Reasoning
- The Flatside Wilderness Additions Act primarily impacts individuals who live near or use the Ouachita National Forest for recreational or economic activities.
- This policy will mainly affect residents in Arkansas, especially those directly engaging in outdoor recreation or working in industries dependent on current land use regulations.
- Given the budget and scope, the policy's impact might be modest for individuals not directly involved with the areas near the affected wilderness.
- We anticipate a mix of increased wellbeing for conservation-minded individuals and potential initial negative impact for those involved in restricted activities like logging or motorized sport that may be affected by the designation change.
- Tourism and local economies might see a varied impact, with some areas potentially benefiting from increased interest in wilderness tourism while others might suffer due to new restrictions.
- The U.S. Forest Service employees might experience altered job roles, with increased management responsibilities over the newly designated areas.
Simulated Interviews
Forest Ranger (Little Rock, Arkansas)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe increasing wilderness areas is crucial for conservation.
- This may improve ecological health significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Hot Springs, Arkansas)
Age: 42 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased wilderness designations might boost tourism, which is positive for my business.
- However, I hope it does not restrict too much of the recreational activities that attract customers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Environmentalist (Fayetteville, Arkansas)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a step in the right direction for ecology preservation.
- Such policies ensure long-term sustainability of our natural resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 8 |
Retired Logger (Texarkana, Arkansas)
Age: 59 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried about what this means for local jobs in logging.
- It's crucial that alternative employment opportunities are created.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Conservation Blogger (Dundee, Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with the need for more protected land areas.
- It provides good material for my blog and strengthens the ecological message.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Outdoor Enthusiast (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I enjoy the forest for outdoor activities. I hope this designation doesn't restrict access too much.
- Conservation is important, but so is making sure people can enjoy these spaces.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Teacher (Memphis, Tennessee)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This will enhance natural beauty and support future generations' opportunities to experience nature.
- I believe it is a positive move for conservation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Recreational ATV Enthusiast (Little Rock, Arkansas)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am worried about access to trails for ATVs as wilderness designations usually mean more restrictions.
- Preserving land is important, but there needs to be a balance with recreational use.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Environmental Scientist (Boston, Massachusetts)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful this could serve as a model for future conservation efforts.
- The long-term benefits to biodiversity are very important.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Logistics Manager (Houston, Texas)
Age: 46 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This might complicate logistics operations in the region.
- I understand the need for conservation but worry about economic costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $800000)
Key Considerations
- Environmental benefits from preserving wilderness areas can outweigh monetary costs by maintaining biodiversity and providing ecosystem services.
- Local communities might see economic shifts with an increase in tourism-related activities versus logging or other resource extraction.
- Potential restrictions on pre-existing land use activities could cause opposition from some stakeholders.