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000812 Wilderness Study" issued a specific directive to the Secretary, and qualified it with the proviso basically as suggested by Congressman Dellenback: I. -The Secretary shall continue to manage such lands according to his authority under this Act . . . so as not to iffi?air the suitability of such areas for preservation as wilderness, subject, ho~ever, to the continuation of existing mining and grazing uses and mineral leasing in the manner and degree in which the same was being conducted on the date of the approval of this Act . . .. 4/ I The Conference Committee discussed the conflict between the House and Senate bills at some length. 5/ Senator Haskell noted, "We don't want people going in [to areas under review for wilderness classification] and increasing the activity during the study period, do we?" Transcript of proceedings, United states Senate Conference Committee on S. 507 at 66 (Se?ternber 20, 1976). And later during the meeting, Senator Haskell set forth his viewpoint: "I am in favor of protecting all existing uses Ion federal lands under review for wilderness classification], but not expanding them or adding new ones. . .." Id., at 68. FOllowing the Conference Committee discussions, the wilderness langu- age contained in section 311 of the House bill was adopted. The Con- ference Report d~~ not explain why the cor.ferees selected the House language and no debate on the provision occurred after the Conference in either House. " " I, :1 " I' I: III. INTERPRETATlOO OF "MA'llTt:R A!ID D::G?EE" At the onset it should be noted that section 603 provides only interim management direction to the Secretary. Once the period of review of BLM aaninistered lands terminates and Congress deterrr.ines that such manage- ment direction is no longer needed, section 603 would no longer dictate that the Secretary manage Bh~ lands to preserve wilderness characteristics. Thus, under section 603 any regulation or prohiqi~ion of a use taking place on Bh~ administered lands only postpones the enjoyment of that use pending Congressional action. An appreciation of the interim nature of section 603 is important to a proper understanding of that provision and this memorandum. It should also be noted that section 603 is parallel to, but does not overlap with, the wilderness Act itself, 16 U.S.C. 5 1131 et ~ The latter Act provides for the manage~ent of wilderness areas once they have been designated by Congress. It does not deal with the issue addressed in section 603 -- manage~ent of areas being inventoried and studied for possible Congressional protection as wilderness. Therefore, 4