119-hr2903

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2903 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 2903

 To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments 
 of the Gila River system in the State of New Mexico as components of 
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, to provide for the transfer 
 of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State 
 of New Mexico, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 April 10, 2025

 Mr. Vasquez (for himself, Ms. Leger Fernandez, and Ms. Stansbury) 
 introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
 Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments 
 of the Gila River system in the State of New Mexico as components of 
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, to provide for the transfer 
 of administrative jurisdiction over certain Federal land in the State 
 of New Mexico, and for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild 
and Scenic River Act''.

SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS.

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:

    (1) Covered segment.--The term ``covered segment'' means a 
 river segment designated by paragraph

    (233) of 

section 3

    (a) of 
 the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274

    (a) ) (as added by 
 subsection

    (b) ).

    (2) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned'' 
 means--
        (A) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to 
 a covered segment under the jurisdiction of the 
 Secretary of the Interior; and
        (B) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to a 
 covered segment under the jurisdiction of the Secretary 
 of Agriculture.

    (3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of New 
 Mexico.

    (b) Designation of Segments.--

Section 3

    (a) of the Wild and Scenic 
Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1274

    (a) ) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
 ``

    (233) Gila river system, new mexico.--The following 
 segments of the Gila River system in Las Animas Creek, Holden 
 Prong, and McKnight Canyon in the State of New Mexico, to be 
 administered by the Secretary concerned (as defined in 

section 2

    (a) of the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic 
 River Act) in the following classifications:
 ``
        (A) Apache creek.--The approximately 10.5-mile 
 segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Apache Creek' and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
        (B) Black canyon creek.--
 ``
            (i) The 11.8-mile segment, as generally 
 depicted on the map entitled `Black Canyon 
 Creek' and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
            (ii) The 0.6-mile segment, as generally 
 depicted on the map entitled `Black Canyon 
 Creek' and dated April 30, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (iii) The 1.9-mile segment, as generally 
 depicted on the map entitled `Black Canyon 
 Creek' and dated April 30, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (iv) The 11-mile segment, as generally 
 depicted on the map entitled `Black Canyon 
 Creek' and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
            (C) Diamond creek.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 13.3-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Diamond Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 wild river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 4.7-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Diamond Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 wild river.
 ``
            (iii) The approximately 3.1-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Diamond Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (iv) The approximately 1.6-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Diamond Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (v) The approximately 4.1-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Diamond Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 wild river.
 ``
            (D) South diamond creek.--The approximately 16.1-
 mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `South Diamond Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 wild river.
 ``
        (E) Gila river.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 34.9-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Gila 
 River' and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 2.5-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Gila 
 River' and dated April 30, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (iii) The approximately 3-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Gila 
 River' and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
        (F) Gila river, east fork.--The approximately 
 10.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map 
 entitled `East Fork Gila River' and dated April 30, 
 2020, as a wild river.
 ``
        (G) Gila river, lower box.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 3.1-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Gila 
 River, Lower Box' and dated April 21, 2020, as 
 a recreational river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 6.1-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Gila 
 River, Lower Box' and dated April 21, 2020, as 
 a wild river.
 ``
        (H) Gila river, middle box.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 0.6-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Gila 
 River, Middle Box' and dated April 30, 2020, as 
 a recreational river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 0.4-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Gila 
 River, Middle Box'' and dated April 30, 2020, 
 as a recreational river.
 ``
            (iii) The approximately 0.3-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Gila 
 River, Middle Box' and dated April 30, 2020, as 
 a recreational river.
 ``
            (iv) The approximately 0.3-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Gila 
 River, Middle Box' and dated April 30, 2020, as 
 a recreational river.
 ``
            (v) The approximately 1.6-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Gila 
 River, Middle Box' and dated April 30, 2020, as 
 a recreational river.
 ``
            (vi) The approximately 9.8-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Gila 
 River, Middle Box' and dated April 30, 2020, as 
 a wild river.
 ``
            (I) Gila river, middle fork.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 1.2-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Middle Fork Gila River' and dated May 1, 2020, 
 as a recreational river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 35.5-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Middle Fork Gila River' and dated May 1, 2020, 
 as a wild river.
 ``
        (J) Gila river, west fork.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 30.6-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `West 
 Fork Gila River' and dated May 1, 2020, as a 
 wild river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 4-mile segment, as 
 generally depicted on the map entitled `West 
 Fork Gila River' and dated May 1, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
        (K) Gilita creek.--The approximately 6.4-mile 
 segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Gilita Creek' and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
            (L) Holden prong.--The approximately 7.3-mile 
 segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Holden Prong' and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
            (M) Indian creek.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 5-mile segment, as 
 generally depicted on the map entitled `Indian 
 Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 9.5-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Indian Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 wild river.
 ``
        (N) Iron creek.--The approximately 13.2-mile 
 segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Iron Creek' and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild river.
 ``
        (O) Las animas creek.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 5.3-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Las 
 Animas Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 wild river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 2.3-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `Las 
 Animas Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 scenic river.
 ``
        (P) Little creek.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 0.3-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Little Creek' and dated May 1, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 18.3-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Little Creek' and dated May 1, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
        (Q) Mcknight canyon.--The approximately 10.3-mile 
 segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `McKnight Canyon' and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
        (R) Mineral creek.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 8.3-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Mineral Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 wild river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 0.5-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Mineral Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (iii) The approximately 0.5-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Mineral Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (iv) The approximately 0.1-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Mineral Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (v) The approximately 0.03-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Mineral Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (vi) The approximately 0.02-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Mineral Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (vii) The approximately 0.6-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Mineral Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (viii) The approximately 0.1-mile 
 segment, as generally depicted on the map 
 entitled `Mineral Creek' and dated March 27, 
 2020, as a recreational river.
 ``
            (ix) The approximately 0.03-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Mineral Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (x) The approximately 0.7-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Mineral Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
        (S) Mogollon creek.--The approximately 15.8-mile 
 segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Mogollon Creek' and dated April 2, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
        (T) West fork mogollon creek.-- The approximately 
 8.5-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map 
 entitled `West Fork Mogollon Creek' and dated March 4, 
 2020, as a wild river.
 ``
        (U) Mule creek.--The approximately 4.3-mile 
 segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Mule Creek' and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild river.
 ``
            (V) San francisco river, devil's creek.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 1.8-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `San 
 Francisco River, Devil's Creek' and dated 
 October 29, 2021, as a scenic river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 6.4-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `San 
 Francisco River, Devil's Creek' and dated 
 October 29, 2021, as a scenic river.
 ``
            (iii) The approximately 6.1-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `San 
 Francisco River, Devil's Creek' and dated 
 October 29, 2021, as a scenic river.
 ``
            (iv) The approximately 1.2-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `San 
 Francisco River, Devil's Creek' and dated 
 October 29, 2021, as a recreational river.
 ``
            (v) The approximately 5.9-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `San 
 Francisco River, Devil's Creek' and dated 
 October 29, 2021, as a recreational river.
 ``
        (W) San francisco river, lower san francisco 
 river canyon.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 1.8-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `San 
 Francisco River, Lower San Francisco River 
 Canyon' and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 0.6-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled `San 
 Francisco River, Lower San Francisco River 
 Canyon' and dated March 27, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (iii) The approximately 14.6-mile 
 segment, as generally depicted on the map 
 entitled `San Francisco River, Lower San 
 Francisco River Canyon' and dated March 27, 
 2020, as a wild river.
 ``
            (X) San francisco river, upper frisco box.--The 
 approximately 6-mile segment, as generally depicted on 
 the map entitled `San Francisco River, Upper Frisco 
 Box' and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild river.
 ``
        (Y) Sapillo creek.--The approximately 7.2-mile 
 segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Sapillo Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
        (Z) Spruce creek.--The approximately 3.7-mile 
 segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Spruce Creek' and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``

    (AA) Taylor creek.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 0.4-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Taylor Creek' and dated April 30, 2020, as a 
 scenic river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 6.1-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Taylor Creek' and dated April 30, 2020, as a 
 wild river.
 ``
            (iii) The approximately 6.7-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Taylor Creek' and dated April 30, 2020, as a 
 wild river.
 ``

    (BB) Turkey creek.--The approximately 17.1-mile 
 segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Turkey Creek' and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild 
 river.
 ``
            (CC) Whitewater creek.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 13.5-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Whitewater Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as 
 a wild river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 1.1-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Whitewater Creek' and dated March 27, 2020, as 
 a recreational river.
 ``
            (DD) Willow creek.--
 ``
            (i) The approximately 3-mile segment, as 
 generally depicted on the map entitled `Willow 
 Creek' and dated April 30, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.
 ``
            (ii) The approximately 2.9-mile segment, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled 
 `Willow Creek' and dated April 30, 2020, as a 
 recreational river.''.
            (c) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land 
within the boundary of a covered segment is withdrawn from all forms 
of--

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

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

    (3) disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and 
 geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
            (d) Maps; Legal Descriptions.--

    (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
 enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall prepare 
 maps and legal descriptions of the covered segments.

    (2) Force of law.--The maps and legal descriptions prepared 
 under paragraph

    (1) shall have the same force and effect as if 
 included in this section, except that the Secretary concerned 
 may correct minor errors in the maps and legal descriptions.

    (3) Availability.--The map and legal description prepared 
 under paragraph

    (1) shall be on file and available for public 
 inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service, 
 the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service.

    (e) Comprehensive River Management Plan.--The Secretary concerned 
shall prepare the comprehensive management plan for the covered 
segments pursuant to 

section 3
            (d) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 
U.S.C. 1274
            (d) ) after consulting with Tribal governments, applicable 
political subdivisions of the State, and interested members of the 
public.

    (f) Incorporation of Acquired Land and Interests in Land.--If the 
United States acquires any non-Federal land within or adjacent to a 
covered segment, the acquired land shall be incorporated in, and be 
administered as part of, the applicable covered segment.

    (g) Effect of Section.--

    (1) Effect on rights.--In accordance with 

section 12

    (b) of 
 the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1283

    (b) ), nothing in 
 this section or an amendment made by this section abrogates any 
 existing rights of, privilege of, or contract held by any 
 person, including any right, privilege, or contract that 
 affects Federal land or private land, without the consent of 
 the person, including--
        (A) grazing permits or leases;
        (B) existing water rights, including the 
 jurisdiction of the State in administering water 
 rights;
            (C) existing points of diversion, including 
 maintenance, repair, or replacement;
            (D) existing water distribution infrastructure, 
 including maintenance, repair, or replacement; and
        (E) valid existing rights for mining and mineral 
 leases.

    (2) Mining activities.--The designation of a covered 
 segment by subparagraph
        (G) or
        (H) of paragraph

    (233) of 
 

section 3

    (a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 
 1274

    (a) ) (as added by subsection

    (b) ) shall not--
        (A) limit the licensing, development, operation, or 
 maintenance of mining activities or mineral processing 
 facilities outside the boundaries of the applicable 
 covered segment; or
        (B) affect any rights, obligations, privileges, or 
 benefits granted under any permit or approval with 
 respect to such mining activities or mineral processing 
 facilities.

    (3) Condemnation.--No land or interest in land shall be 
 acquired under this section or an amendment made by this 
 section without the consent of the owner.

    (4) Relationship to other law.--Nothing in this section 
 amends or otherwise affects the Arizona Water Settlements Act 
 (Public Law 108-451; 118 Stat. 3478).

    (5) Native fish habitat restoration.--
        (A) Existing projects.--Nothing in this section or 
 an amendment made by this section affects the authority 
 of the Secretary concerned or the State to operate, 
 maintain, replace, or improve a native fish habitat 
 restoration project (including fish barriers) in 
 existence as of the date of enactment of this Act 
 within a covered segment.
        (B) New projects.--Notwithstanding 

section 7 of the 
 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1278), the 
 Secretary concerned may authorize the construction of a 
 native fish habitat restoration project (including any 
 necessary fish barriers) within a covered segment if 
 the project--
            (i) would enhance the recovery of a species 
 listed as threatened or endangered under the 
 Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 
 et seq.), a sensitive species, or a species of 
 greatest conservation need, including the Gila 
 Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae); and
            (ii) would not unreasonably diminish the 
 free-flowing nature or outstandingly remarkable 
 values of the covered segment.
            (C) Projects within wilderness areas.--A native 
 fish habitat restoration project (including fish 
 barriers) located within an area designated as a 
 component of the National Wilderness Preservation 
 System shall be constructed consistent with--
            (i) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et 
 seq.); and
            (ii) the applicable wilderness management 
 plan.

    (6) State land jurisdiction.--Nothing in this section or an 
 amendment made by this section affects the jurisdiction of land 
 under the jurisdiction of the State, including land under the 
 jurisdiction of the New Mexico State Land Office and the New 
 Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

    (7) Fish and wildlife.--Nothing in this section or an 
 amendment made by this section affects the jurisdiction of the 
 State with respect to fish and wildlife in the State.

    (8) Treaty rights.--Nothing in this section or an amendment 
 made by this section alters, modifies, diminishes, or 
 extinguishes the reserved treaty rights of any Indian Tribe 
 with respect to hunting, fishing, gathering, and cultural or 
 religious rights in the vicinity of a covered segment as 
 protected by a treaty.

SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF BOUNDARIES OF GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS NATIONAL 
 MONUMENT AND GILA NATIONAL FOREST.

    (a) Transfer of Administrative Jurisdiction.--

    (1) In general.--Administrative jurisdiction over the land 
 described in paragraph

    (2) is transferred from the Secretary of 
 Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior.

    (2) Description of land.--The land referred to in paragraph

    (1) is the approximately 440 acres of land identified as 
 ``Transfer from USDA Forest Service to National Park Service'' 
 on the map entitled ``Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument 
 Proposed Boundary Adjustment'' and dated March 2020.

    (b) Boundary Modifications.--

    (1) Gila cliff dwellings national monument.--
        (A) In general.--The boundary of the Gila Cliff 
 Dwellings National Monument is revised to incorporate 
 the land transferred to the Secretary of the Interior 
 under subsection

    (a)

    (1) .
        (B) Map.--
            (i) In general.--The Secretary of the 
 Interior shall prepare and keep on file for 
 public inspection in the appropriate office of 
 the National Park Service a map and a legal 
 description of the revised boundary of the Gila 
 Cliff Dwellings National Monument.
            (ii) Effect.--The map and legal description 
 under clause
            (i) shall have the same force and 
 effect as if included in this section, except 
 that the Secretary of the Interior may correct 
 minor errors in the map and legal description.

    (2) Gila national forest.--
        (A) In general.--The boundary of the Gila National 
 Forest is modified to exclude the land transferred to 
 the Secretary of the Interior under subsection

    (a)

    (1) .
        (B) Map.--
            (i) In general.--The Secretary of 
 Agriculture shall prepare and keep on file for 
 public inspection in the appropriate office of 
 the Forest Service a map and a legal 
 description of the revised boundary of the Gila 
 National Forest.
            (ii) Effect.--The map and legal description 
 under clause
            (i) shall have the same force and 
 effect as if included in this section, except 
 that the Secretary of Agriculture may correct 
 minor errors in the map and legal description.
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