Pecos Watershed Protection Act
Sponsored By: Senator Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced
Summary
Permanent protections for the Pecos Watershed. The bill withdraws the area shown on the "Pecos Withdrawal" map from public land entry, mining claims, and mineral or geothermal leasing and designates about 11,599 acres of Forest Service land as the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area.
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- Outdoor visitors and local communities get long-term protection of scenery and recreation because the land is set aside as wilderness and removed from new mineral development.
- Ranchers and existing livestock permit holders may continue grazing where it existed before enactment under existing rules.
- Mining and energy companies lose access for new mining claims, patents, mineral leasing, and geothermal leasing on the withdrawn lands, subject to valid existing rights.
- The State of New Mexico retains authority over fish and wildlife, including hunting, fishing, and trapping. The Forest Service will administer the Thompson Peak Wilderness and may add any future land acquisitions to the wilderness.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Create Thompson Peak wilderness
This bill would designate about 11,599 acres in New Mexico as the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area. If enacted, the Forest Service would manage the area under the Wilderness Act and add any future federal land acquired there to the wilderness. The Secretary could continue grazing that existed before enactment, and could act to control fire, insects, or disease under Wilderness Act rules. The Secretary would file a map and legal description with Congress that would be available for public inspection.
Stop new mining and leases
This bill would withdraw the Federal land shown as the "Pecos Withdrawal" on the map dated September 11, 2023. If enacted, that land and the designated Thompson Peak Wilderness Area would be removed from public-land entry, patenting, and mineral or geothermal leasing laws. The withdrawal would take effect upon enactment and would be subject to valid existing rights on the date of enactment. If passed, no new mining claims, patents, leases, or land disposals could begin on those parcels, except for rights already in place.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
NM • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 4/8/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov