1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS22025Updated January 13, 2006Wilderness Laws: Permitted and Prohibited UsesRoss W. GorteSpecialist in Natural Resources PolicyResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryThe Wild
2、erness Act generally prohibits commercial activities, motorized uses, andinfrastructure developments in congressionally designated wilderness areas. However,the Wilderness Act and many subsequent laws designating wilderness areas also containprovisions authorizing activities that do not conform with
3、 these general prohibitions.The general prohibitions and the authorized uses are important, because controversiespersist over permissible and prohibited activities in wilderness areas, and because billsoften seek to modify existing areas or activities. This report will be revised periodically.Congre
4、ss approved the Wilderness Act (P.L. 88-577; 16 U.S.C. 1131-1136) in1964 to establish a National Wilderness Preservation System on federal lands “where theearth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitorwho does not remain.” As of December 31, 2005, the System t
