# 119-hr-2727: Pecos Watershed Protection Act

119-hr-2727, Pecos Watershed Protection Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3] (D-NM); status introduced (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2727
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-2727
- Congress: 119
- Title: Pecos Watershed Protection Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-04-08
- Sponsor: Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3] (D-NM)
- Cosponsors: 5
- Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Would withdraw federal land from mineral entry and designate the Thompson Peak Wilderness to protect parts of the Pecos Watershed** in New Mexico from new mining, leasing, and related development while keeping long‑standing uses in place. - Families and recreationists: Would create an 11,599‑acre Thompson Peak Wilderness managed under the Wilderness Act, preserving backcountry recreation and scenic forest land. - Ranchers: Would allow existing livestock grazing to continue if it was established before enactment, following Wilderness Act rules. - Mining and energy interests: Would withdraw the mapped federal land from mineral entry, mining claims, and mineral or geothermal leasing, blocking new mineral development on those acres. - State and land managers: Would keep State authority over fish and wildlife and direct the Forest Service to administer the wilderness and file a public map and legal description.

## Cosponsors (5)

- Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1] (D-NM), 2025-04-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2] (D-NM), 2025-09-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] (D-TX), 2025-12-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7] (D-AZ), 2026-01-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2] (D-CO), 2026-01-15T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- No new mining on Pecos watershed lands: cost, low. If enacted, federal lands in the Pecos Watershed shown on the “Proposed Mineral Withdrawal Legislative Map” dated September 11, 2023, would be withdrawn from new mineral activity. No new mining claims, mineral patents, or mineral or geothermal leases would be allowed. The lands would also be off-li…
- Thompson Peak wilderness; new mining limits: mixed, low. If enacted, about 11,599 acres near Thompson Peak in New Mexico would become a federal wilderness area. The Forest Service would manage it under the Wilderness Act. Existing livestock grazing that started before the law would be allowed to continue. The State would keep control over hunting, fishin…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-7853: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026
- 119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-hr-20: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-hr-2727 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2727)

## Related
- [119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9877)
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-7853: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7853)
- [119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-51)
- [119-hr-20: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-20)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-2727 (as of 2026-04-21).