Legislation6 days ago
50
To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers.
HR8548Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37] (D-CA)
introduced
S1787119th CongressWALLET
Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
In Committee
Summary
Would establish the Dolores River National Conservation Area and a Special Management Area to conserve native fish, whitewater boating, and scenic, cultural, and recreational resources across roughly 52,872 acres of Bureau of Land Management land and 15,452 acres of the San Juan National Forest.
Show full summary
- Families and visitors would see stronger protections for river recreation and wildlife. The Commissioner of Reclamation would publish an annual report starting one year after enactment tracking progress on native fish.
- Tribes, water users, and project operators would keep existing rights and operations. The bill would not change State-decreed water rights or the operation, contracts, or allocations of McPhee Reservoir and the Dolores Project, and it would preserve treaty and settlement rights including the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act.
- Land managers and local governments would face new limits on development and resource use. The bill would limit new roads and motorized use to designated routes, withdraw covered land from public land and mining laws with a DOE uranium-lease exception, require land acquisitions only from willing sellers, and allow utility rights-of-way up to 150 feet when needed.
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Grazing rules and road limits
If enacted, the bill would keep grazing permits and leases on covered land under the usual BLM or Forest Service rules. It would also limit motorized vehicle use to designated routes and generally bar new road construction except for administration, safety, or reasonable private access. These changes clarify permit administration but restrict some new motorized access.
Limits on federal water project aid
If enacted, the bill would bar federal loans, grants, licenses, or assistance for constructing or modifying water projects that would change the free‑flowing character of streams in the covered land or unreasonably harm listed river values. The ban has narrow exceptions (small diversion dams, stock ponds, minor modifications, and operation or maintenance of existing projects). The bill also says it would not change state‑decreed water rights or give the federal government new reserved water rights.
Protections for nearby private owners
If enacted, the bill would limit federal land acquisition to willing sellers, donations, or exchanges and would not allow condemnation under this Act. The Secretary must allow reasonable access through covered land when other routes are blocked. The Act would not force private owners to pay plan costs, would not create new buffer zones around the areas, and would authorize voluntary easements or leases only from willing owners.
Local planning and river monitoring
If enacted, the bill would require the Interior and Agriculture Secretaries to make long-term management plans within three years and to consult with an advisory council, the State, local governments, the public, and a Native Fish Monitoring team. The bill would create a 14-member Dolores River advisory council within one year. The Commissioner of Reclamation must publish an annual native-fish progress report starting one year after enactment. The Secretaries could allow essential hydrologic or weather monitoring devices and take wildfire, insect, and disease control actions. The Ponderosa Gorge would be managed to keep its wilderness character.
New Dolores River conservation areas
If enacted, the bill would create the Dolores River National Conservation Area (about 52,872 acres) and the Dolores River Special Management Area (about 15,452 acres). The Interior and Agriculture Secretaries would file maps and legal descriptions soon after enactment. The bill would also remove the named river segments from further study under the Wild and Scenic Rivers “continuing consideration” rule.
Mining, energy, and transmission rules
If enacted, the bill would withdraw the covered lands from many mining and leasing laws, limiting new mineral or geothermal development. Existing Department of Energy uranium leases would remain valid and be exempt from that withdrawal until expired or removed from the leasing program. The Secretary could also issue or relocate a transmission-line right‑of‑way up to 150 feet wide for lines in place on enactment, if the relocation furthers the Act's conservation goals.
Free Policy Watch
You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.
Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.
Pick a topic to get started
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Cosponsors
John Hickenlooper
CO • D
Sponsored 5/15/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in