Pecos Watershed Protection Act

This bill would bar new mining claims, mineral and geothermal leasing, and other transfers of certain federal land in the Pecos Watershed area of New Mexico, as shown on a 2023 map, while keeping existing valid rights in place. It would also designate about 11,599 acres of Forest Service land in New Mexico as the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area, managed under the Wilderness Act. Livestock grazing that existed before the law would be allowed to continue, the state would keep its authority over hunting, fishing, and trapping, and the Forest Service could take steps to control fire, insects, and disease. The designation would not create a buffer zone around the wilderness area.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Martin Heinrich Democrat sponsor
• 1 cosponsors