Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act

Transfer Crystal Reservoir to Ouray

This bill would transfer certain federal land and water rights to the City of Ouray, Colorado. The transfer would include Crystal Reservoir and its lake. It would also include Full Moon Dam, Full Moon Ditch, and Reservoir Number 10. About 45 acres around the reservoir shown on a Forest Service map would also convey. The conveyance would be by quitclaim deed and would include all associated water rights. The Secretary would pay most conveyance costs, but the City would pay costs for surveys. The City would have to keep the land as open space and allow full public recreational access without a fee. The City would grant easements for existing trails and roads. On the conveyance date the City would assume repair, operation, and maintenance costs for the dam and related infrastructure. The City would manage the water rights under Colorado law and could use the Red Mountain Ditch for decreed purposes. The City could not expand the reservoir footprint in ways that would harm upstream wetlands, though deepening consistent with city water rights would be allowed. If the land is not used as required, the Secretary could reclaim it. The Forest Service would finalize the map and legal description as soon as practicable after enactment.