PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

The Valles Caldera area is made a unit of the National Park System and the Secretary of the Interior must run it. Key short definitions: "eligible employee" = someone who worked for the Trust full- or part-time during the 180-day period immediately before December 19, 2014; "Fund" = the Valles Caldera Fund; "Preserve" = Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico; "Secretary" = Secretary of the Interior; "State" = New Mexico; "Trust" = Valles Caldera Trust. The Preserve covers about 89,900 acres (map dated November 4, 2014 on file with the National Park Service). The Secretary must manage the land under National Park rules, work with Bandelier if helpful, and write a management plan within 3 fiscal years after funds are available, after talking with the Secretary of Agriculture, state and local governments, tribes (including the Pueblos of Jemez, Santa Clara, and San Ildefonso), and the public. Land inside the boundary can only be bought from willing sellers or donated, not taken by condemnation, and new land bought becomes part of the Preserve. The Secretary will keep or start a science and education program, may build a center in Jemez Springs, and may allow grazing where it fits management or helps research about ranching history. Hunting, fishing, and trapping are allowed under federal and state law, but the Secretary can close specific areas or times for safety or management, after consulting state wildlife officials. The Secretary must work to improve forests, grasslands, and streams and may coordinate with nearby pueblos. Most Preserve lands are withdrawn from public land, mining, and leasing laws, subject to existing rights. The peaks and volcanic domes above 9,600 feet (about 15 named domes and peaks) are protected from roads, buildings, and motorized access unless needed for administration, restoration, or emergencies. The Secretary must protect traditional cultural and religious sites and let tribal members use them; tribes can ask to temporarily close areas to protect those uses. Within 3 years after December 19, 2014, the Secretary must study a possible Caldera Rim hiking trail on Preserve and adjacent Forest land and try to agree with tribes to protect cultural sites and privacy. Administrative control moves from the Trust and the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior. The Trust ends 180 days after December 19, 2014 unless extended to help the transition; on ending, the Secretary takes the Trust’s assets, contracts, and the Fund (amounts in the Fund on December 19, 2014 may be used without more approvals). Eligible Trust employees must be retained or detailed to the Secretary for at least 180 days starting December 19, 2014, and the Preserve stays open during the transition.

Title 16, §698v–11

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section:

(1)The term “eligible employee” means a person who was a full-time or part-time employee of the Trust during the 180-day period immediately preceding December 19, 2014.

(2)The term “Fund” means the Valles Caldera Fund established by section 106(h)(2) of the Valles Caldera Preservation Act.

(3)The term “Preserve” means the Valles Caldera National Preserve in the State.

(4)The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

(5)The term “State” means the State of New Mexico.

(6)The term “Trust” means the Valles Caldera Trust established by section 106(a) of the Valles Caldera Preservation Act.

(b)(1)To protect, preserve, and restore the fish, wildlife, watershed, natural, scientific, scenic, geologic, historic, cultural, archaeological, and recreational values of the area, the Valles Caldera National Preserve is designated as a unit of the National Park System.

(2)(A)The boundary of the Preserve shall consist of approximately 89,900 acres of land as depicted on the map entitled “Valles Caldera National Preserve Proposed Boundary”, numbered P80/102,036C, and dated November 4, 2014.

(B)The map described in subparagraph (A) shall be on file and available for public inspection in appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

(3)(A)The Secretary shall administer the Preserve in accordance with—

(i)this section; and

(ii)the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including—

(I)the National Park Service Organic Act (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); 11 See References in Text note below. and

(II)the Act of August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.).1

(B)The Secretary may coordinate the management and operations of the Preserve with the Bandelier National Monument.

(C)(i)Not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which funds are made available to implement this subparagraph, the Secretary shall prepare a management plan for the Preserve.

(ii)The management plan shall be prepared in accordance with—

(I)section 100502 of title 54; and

(II)any other applicable laws.

(iii)The management plan shall be prepared in consultation with—

(I)the Secretary of Agriculture;

(II)State and local governments;

(III)Indian tribes and pueblos, including the Pueblos of Jemez, Santa Clara, and San Ildefonso; and

(IV)the public.

(4)(A)The Secretary may acquire land and interests in land within the boundaries of the Preserve by—

(i)purchase from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds; or

(ii)donation.

(B)No land or interest in land within the boundaries of the Preserve may be acquired by condemnation.

(C)On acquisition of any land or interests in land under subparagraph (A), the acquired land or interests in land shall be administered as part of the Preserve.

(5)(A)The Secretary shall—

(i)until the date on which a management plan is completed in accordance with paragraph (3)(C), carry out the science and education program for the Preserve established by the Trust; and

(ii)beginning on the date on which a management plan is completed in accordance with paragraph (3)(C), establish a science and education program for the Preserve that—

(I)allows for research and interpretation of the natural, historic, cultural, geologic and other scientific features of the Preserve;

(II)provides for improved methods of ecological restoration and science-based adaptive management of the Preserve; and

(III)promotes outdoor educational experiences in the Preserve.

(B)As part of the program established under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary may establish a science and education center outside the boundaries of the Preserve in Jemez Springs, New Mexico.

(6)The Secretary shall allow the grazing of livestock within the Preserve to continue—

(A)at levels and locations determined by the Secretary to be appropriate, consistent with this section; and

(B)to the extent the use furthers scientific research or interpretation of the ranching history of the Preserve.

(7)(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall permit hunting, fishing, and trapping on land and water within the Preserve in accordance with applicable Federal and State law.

(B)The Secretary may designate areas in which, and establish limited periods during which, no hunting, fishing, or trapping shall be permitted under subparagraph (A) for reasons of public safety, administration, or compliance with applicable law.

(C)Except in an emergency, regulations closing areas within the Preserve to hunting, fishing, or trapping under this paragraph shall be made in consultation with the appropriate agency of the State having responsibility for fish and wildlife administration.

(D)Nothing in this section affects any jurisdiction or responsibility of the State with respect to fish and wildlife in the Preserve.

(8)(A)The Secretary shall undertake activities to improve the health of forest, grassland, and riparian areas within the Preserve, including any activities carried out in accordance with title IV of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7301 et seq.).

(B)The Secretary may enter into agreements with adjacent pueblos to coordinate activities carried out under subparagraph (A) on the Preserve and adjacent pueblo land.

(9)Subject to valid existing rights, all land and interests in land within the boundaries of the Preserve are withdrawn from—

(A)entry, disposal, or appropriation under the public land laws;

(B)location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(C)operation of the mineral leasing laws, geothermal leasing laws, and mineral materials laws.

(10)(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (C), for the purposes of preserving the natural, cultural, religious, archaeological, and historic resources of the volcanic domes and other peaks in the Preserve described in subparagraph (B) within the area of the domes and peaks above 9,600 feet in elevation or 250 feet below the top of the dome, whichever is lower—

(i)no roads or buildings shall be constructed; and

(ii)no motorized access shall be allowed.

(B)The volcanic domes and other peaks referred to in subparagraph (A) are—

(i)Redondo Peak;

(ii)Redondito;

(iii)South Mountain;

(iv)San Antonio Mountain;

(v)Cerro Seco;

(vi)Cerro San Luis;

(vii)Cerros Santa Rosa;

(viii)Cerros del Abrigo;

(ix)Cerro del Medio;

(x)Rabbit Mountain;

(xi)Cerro Grande;

(xii)Cerro Toledo;

(xiii)Indian Point;

(xiv)Sierra de los Valles; and

(xv)Cerros de los Posos.

(C)Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in cases in which construction or motorized access is necessary for administrative purposes (including ecological restoration activities or measures required in emergencies to protect the health and safety of persons in the area).

(11)(A)The Secretary, in consultation with Indian tribes and pueblos, shall ensure the protection of traditional cultural and religious sites in the Preserve.

(B)The Secretary, in accordance with Public Law 95–341 (commonly known as the “American Indian Religious Freedom Act”) (42 U.S.C. 1996)—

(i)shall provide access to the sites described in subparagraph (A) by members of Indian tribes or pueblos for traditional cultural and customary uses; and

(ii)may, on request of an Indian tribe or pueblo, temporarily close to general public use 1 or more specific areas of the Preserve to protect traditional cultural and customary uses in the area by members of the Indian tribe or pueblo.

(C)The Secretary shall maintain prohibitions on the use of motorized or mechanized travel on Preserve land located adjacent to the Santa Clara Indian Reservation, to the extent the prohibition was in effect on December 19, 2014.

(12)(A)Not later than 3 years after December 19, 2014, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, affected Indian tribes and pueblos, and the public, shall study the feasibility of establishing a hiking trail along the rim of the Valles Caldera on—

(i)land within the Preserve; and

(ii)National Forest System land that is adjacent to the Preserve.

(B)On the request of an affected Indian tribe or pueblo, the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture shall seek to enter into an agreement with the Indian tribe or pueblo with respect to the Caldera Rim Trail that provides for the protection of—

(i)cultural and religious sites in the vicinity of the trail; and

(ii)the privacy of adjacent pueblo land.

(13)Nothing in this section affects valid existing rights.

(c)(1)Administrative jurisdiction over the Preserve is transferred from the Secretary of Agriculture and the Trust to the Secretary, to be administered as a unit of the National Park System, in accordance with subsection (b).

(2)The boundaries of the Santa Fe National Forest are modified to exclude the Preserve.

(3)(A)Not later than 90 days after December 19, 2014, the Secretary and the Trust shall enter into a memorandum of agreement to facilitate the orderly transfer to the Secretary of the administration of the Preserve.

(B)Notwithstanding the repeal made by subsection (d)(1), until the date on which the Secretary completes a management plan for the Preserve in accordance with subsection (b)(3)(C), the Secretary may administer the Preserve in accordance with any management activities or plans adopted by the Trust under the Valles Caldera Preservation Act, to the extent the activities or plans are consistent with subsection (b)(3)(A).

(C)The Preserve shall remain open to public use during the interim management period, subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(4)(A)The Trust shall terminate 180 days after December 19, 2014, unless the Secretary determines that the termination date should be extended to facilitate the transitional management of the Preserve.

(B)(i)On termination of the Trust—

(I)all assets of the Trust shall be transferred to the Secretary; and

(II)any amounts appropriated for the Trust shall remain available to the Secretary for the administration of the Preserve.

(ii)(I)On termination of the Trust, the Secretary shall assume all contracts, obligations, and other liabilities of the Trust.

(II)(aa)Not later than 90 days after December 19, 2014, the Secretary and the Trust shall prepare a budget for the interim management of the Preserve.

(bb)The Trust shall not incur any new liabilities not authorized in the budget prepared under item (aa) without the written concurrence of the Secretary.

(C)(i)The Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture may hire employees of the Trust on a noncompetitive basis for comparable positions at the Preserve or other areas or offices under the jurisdiction of the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture.

(ii)Any employees hired from the Trust under clause (i) shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 51, and subchapter III of chapter 53, title 5, relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.

(iii)For a period of not less than 180 days beginning on December 19, 2014, all eligible employees of the Trust shall be—

(I)retained in the employment of the Trust;

(II)considered to be placed on detail to the Secretary; and

(III)subject to the direction of the Secretary.

(iv)Nothing in this subparagraph precludes the termination of employment of an eligible employee for cause during the period described in clause (iii).

(D)The Secretary shall have access to all records of the Trust pertaining to the management of the Preserve.

(E)(i)Effective on December 19, 2014, the Secretary shall assume the powers of the Trust over the Fund.

(ii)Any amounts in the Fund as of December 19, 2014, shall be available to the Secretary for use, without further appropriation, for the management of the Preserve.

(d)(1)On the termination of the Trust, the Valles Caldera Preservation Act is repealed.

(2)Notwithstanding the repeal made by paragraph (1)—

(A)the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire mineral interests under section 104(e) of the Valles Caldera Preservation Act is transferred to the Secretary and any proceeding for the condemnation of, or payment of compensation for, an outstanding mineral interest pursuant to the transferred authority shall continue;

(B)the provisions in section 104(g) 22 Text of section 104(g) is set out as a Pueblo of Santa Clara note below. of the Valles Caldera Preservation Act relating to the Pueblo of Santa Clara shall remain in effect; and

(C)the Fund shall not be terminated until all amounts in the Fund have been expended by the Secretary.

(3)The repeal of the Valles Caldera Preservation Act shall not affect the boundaries as of December 19, 2014, (including maps and legal descriptions) of—

(A)the Preserve;

(B)the Santa Fe National Forest (other than the modification made by subsection (c)(2));

(C)Bandelier National Monument; and

(D)any land conveyed to the Pueblo of Santa Clara.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Valles Caldera Preservation Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2), (6), (c)(3)(B), and (d), is title I of Pub. L. 106–248,

July 25, 2000, 114 Stat. 598, which was classified to sections 698v to 698v–10 of this title, prior to repeal by subsec. (d)(1) of this section. section 104 and 106 of the Act were classified to section 698v–2 and 698v–4 of this title, respectively. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. The National Park Service Organic Act (16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii)(I), is act Aug. 25, 1916, ch. 408, 39 Stat. 535, which enacted section 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 100101 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs. Sections 1 to 4 of the Act were repealed and restated as section 1865(a) of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and section 100101(a), chapter 1003, and section 100751(a), 100752, 100753, and 102101 of Title 54 by Pub. L. 113–287, §§ 3, 4(a)(1), 7, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3094, 3260, 3272. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. For disposition of former sections of this title, see Disposition Table preceding section 100101 of Title 54. Act of

August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.), referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii)(II), is act Aug. 21, 1935, ch. 593, 49 Stat. 666, known as the Historic Sites Act of 1935 and also as the Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act, which enacted sections 461 to 467 of this title. The Act was repealed and restated as section 1866(a) of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and section 102303 and 102304 and chapter 3201 of Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs, by Pub. L. 113–287, §§ 3, 4(a)(1), 7, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3094, 3260, 3272. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. For disposition of former sections of this title, see Disposition Table preceding section 100101 of Title 54. The Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, referred to in subsec. (b)(8)(A), is Pub. L. 111–11, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 991. Title IV of the Act is classified generally to chapter 92 (§ 7301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. Public Law 95–341, referred to in subsec. (b)(11)(B), is Pub. L. 95–341, Aug. 11, 1978, 92 Stat. 469, popularly known as the American Indian Religious Freedom Act, which is classified to section 1996 and 1996a of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1996 of Title 42 and Tables. Codification In subsec. (b)(3)(C)(ii)(I), “section 100502 of title 54” substituted for “section 12(b) of Public Law 91–383 (commonly known as the ‘National Park Service General Authorities Act’) (16 U.S.C. 1a–7(b))” on authority of Pub. L. 113–287, § 6(e), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3272, which Act enacted Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Pueblo of Santa Clara Pub. L. 106–248, title I, § 104(g), July 25, 2000, 114 Stat. 602, provided that: “(1) In general.—The Secretary may assign to the Pueblo of Santa Clara rights to acquire for fair market value portions of the Baca ranch. The portion that may be assigned shall be determined by mutual agreement between the Pueblo and the Secretary based on optimal management considerations for the Preserve including manageable land line locations, public access, and retention of scenic and natural values. All appraisals shall be done in conformity with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisition. “(2) Status of land acquired.—As of the date of acquisition, the fee title lands, and any mineral estate underlying such lands, acquired under this subsection by the Pueblo of Santa Clara are deemed transferred into trust in the name of the United States for the benefit of the Pueblo of Santa Clara and such lands and mineral estate are declared to be part of the existing Santa Clara Indian Reservation. “(3) Mineral estate.—Any mineral estate acquired by the United States pursuant to section 104(e) [former 16 U.S.C. 698v–2(e)] underlying fee title lands acquired by the Pueblo of Santa Clara shall not be developed without the consent of the Secretary of the Interior and the Pueblo of Santa Clara. “(4) Savings.—Any reservations, easements, and covenants contained in an assignment agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall not be affected by the acquisition of the Baca ranch by the United States, the assumption of management by the Valles Caldera Trust, or the lands acquired by the Pueblo being taken into trust.” [Pursuant to subsec. (d)(2)(B) of this section, the provisions in section 104(g) of the Valles Caldera Preservation Act, Pub. L. 106–248 (formerly 16 U.S.C. 698v–2(g)), set out above, remain in effect, notwithstanding the repeal of Pub. L. 106–248 by subsec. (d)(1) of this section.]

§698v–11 Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico