Flatside Wilderness Additions Act
Summary
The Flatside Wilderness Additions Act would expand the Flatside Wilderness area located within the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas by adding specified adjacent lands to the protected area. The bill would also officially redesignate the wilderness as the Flatside-Bethune Wilderness, reflecting a name change for the expanded protected area.
Wilderness designations restrict development and commercial activities on public lands, preserving them in their natural state for conservation and recreation. By expanding this wilderness area, the bill would protect additional forest habitat and natural resources in Arkansas from future development while maintaining the land for activities like hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
The bill has already passed the House of Representatives and is currently being considered by the Senate. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry reported the bill without amendments in late October 2025, moving it forward for floor debate and a potential vote by the full Senate.
