119-hr3421

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3421 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 3421

 To designate certain special management areas, wildlife conservation 
 areas, protection areas, recreation areas, wilderness areas, and a 
 scientific research and education area in the State of Colorado, and 
 for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 May 15, 2025

Mr. Hurd of Colorado introduced the following bill; which was referred 
 to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To designate certain special management areas, wildlife conservation 
 areas, protection areas, recreation areas, wilderness areas, and a 
 scientific research and education area in the State of Colorado, 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 ``Gunnison Outdoor Resources 
Protection Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

 In this Act:

    (1) Collaboratively developed.--The term ``collaboratively 
 developed'', with respect to a project, means the project is 
 developed and implemented through a collaborative process 
 that--
        (A) includes multiple interested persons 
 representing diverse interests; and
        (B)
            (i) is transparent and nonexclusive; or
            (ii) meets the requirements for a resource advisory 
 committee under--
            (I) for projects carried out on National 
 Forest System land, subsections
            (c) through

    (f) of 

section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and 
 Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (16 
 U.S.C. 7125); or
            (II) for projects carried out on Bureau of 
 Land Management land, subpart 1784 of part 1700 
 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
 successor regulations).

    (2) County.--The term ``County'' means Gunnison County, 
 Colorado.

    (3) Covered area.--The term ``covered area'' means each of 
 the Special Management Areas, Wildlife Conservation Areas, 
 Protection Areas, and Recreation Management Areas and the 
 Scientific Research and Education Area.

    (4) Decommission.--The term ``decommission'', with respect 
 to a road, means--
        (A) reestablishing native vegetation on the road;
        (B) restoring any natural drainage, watershed 
 function, or other ecological processes that were 
 disrupted or adversely impacted by the road by removing 
 or hydrologically disconnecting the road prism and 
 reestablishing stable slope contours;
            (C) effectively blocking the road to vehicular 
 traffic, where feasible; and
            (D) developing and implementing an effective 
 monitoring and response plan for invasive species and 
 vehicular traffic incursions.

    (5) Ecological integrity.--The term ``ecological 
 integrity'' has the meaning given the term in 

section 219.19 of 
 title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date 
 of enactment of this Act).

    (6) Off-highway vehicle.--The term ``off-highway 
 vehicle''--
        (A) with respect to National Forest System land, 
 has the meaning given the term in 

section 212.1 of 
 title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
 regulation); and
        (B) with respect to land managed by the Bureau of 
 Land Management, has the meaning given the term ``off-
 road vehicle'' in 

section 8340.0-5 of title 43, Code of 
 Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).

    (7) Over-snow vehicle.--The term ``over-snow vehicle'' has 
 the meaning given the term in 

section 212.1 of title 36, Code 
 of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).

    (8) Protection area.--The term ``Protection Area'' means a 
 protection area designated by 

section 5

    (a) .

    (9) Recreation management area.--The term ``Recreation 
 Management Area'' means a recreation management area designated 
 by 

section 6

    (a) .

    (10) Restore.--The term ``restore'' has the meaning given 
 the term in 

section 219.19 of title 36, Code of Federal 
 Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this 
 Act).

    (11) Scientific research and education area.--The term 
 ``Scientific Research and Education Area'' means the Rocky 
 Mountain Scientific Research and Education Area designated by 
 

section 7

    (a) .

    (12) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means--
        (A) the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through 
 the Chief of the Forest Service), with respect to 
 National Forest System land; and
        (B) the Secretary of the Interior with respect to 
 land managed by the Director of the Bureau of Land 
 Management.

    (13) Special management area.--The term ``Special 
 Management Area'' means a special management area designated by 
 

section 3

    (a) .

    (14) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of 
 Colorado.

    (15) Wilderness area.--The term ``wilderness area'' means 
 any area designated as wilderness by the amendments to 

section 2

    (a) of the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1132 
 note; Public Law 103-77) made by 

section 8

    (a) .

    (16) Wildland-urban interface.--The term ``wildland-urban 
 interface'' means land within a covered area that is within \1/
 4\ mile of the interface and intermix areas mapped as the 
 wildland-urban interface in the document entitled ``The 2010 
 Wildland-Urban Interface of the Conterminous United States'' 
 and published by the Department of Agriculture in 2015.

    (17) Wildlife conservation area.--The term ``Wildlife 
 Conservation Area'' means a wildlife conservation area 
 designated by 

section 4

    (a) .

    (18) Winter travel management plan.--The term ``winter 
 travel management plan'' means a decision designating roads, 
 trails, or areas for over-snow vehicle use in accordance with--
        (A) in the case of Forest Service land within a 
 covered area, subpart C of part 212 of title 36, Code 
 of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); and
        (B) in the case of Bureau of Land Management land 
 within a covered area, subpart 8342 of title 43, Code 
 of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).

SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS.

    (a) Designation.--

    (1) American flag special management area.--Subject to 
 valid existing rights, certain Federal land in the County 
 managed by the Forest Service comprising approximately 36,171 
 acres, as generally depicted as ``American Flag SMA'' on the 
 map entitled ``Sheet 4: Brush Creek, Cement Creek, and Spring 
 Creek'' and dated August 27, 2024, is designated as the 
 ``American Flag Special Management Area''.

    (2) Beckwiths special management area.--Subject to valid 
 existing rights, certain Federal land in the County managed by 
 the Forest Service comprising approximately 24,031 acres, as 
 generally depicted as ``Beckwiths SMA'' on the map entitled 
 ``Sheet 3: Kebler and Schofield Pass'' and dated August 27, 
 2024, is designated as the ``Beckwiths Special Management 
 Area''.

    (3) Clear fork special management area.--Subject to valid 
 existing rights, certain Federal land in the County managed by 
 the Forest Service comprising approximately 37,998 acres, as 
 generally depicted as ``Clear Fork SMA'' on the map entitled 
 ``Sheet 2: McClure Pass'' and dated August 27, 2024, is 
 designated as the ``Clear Fork Special Management Area''.

    (4) Mcintosh mountain special management area.--Subject to 
 valid existing rights, certain Federal land in the County 
 managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service 
 comprising approximately 22,497 acres, as generally depicted as 
 ``McIntosh Mountain SMA'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 8: 
 Gunnison Valley and Ohio Pass'' and dated August 27, 2024, is 
 designated as the ``McIntosh Mountain Special Management 
 Area''.

    (5) North poverty gulch special management area.--Subject 
 to valid existing rights, certain Federal land in the County 
 managed by the Forest Service comprising approximately 5,476 
 acres, as generally depicted as ``North Poverty Gulch SMA'' on 
 the map entitled ``Sheet 3: Kebler and Schofield Pass'' and 
 dated August 27, 2024, is designated as the ``North Poverty 
 Gulch Special Management Area''.

    (6) Pilot knob special management area.--Subject to valid 
 existing rights, certain Federal land in the County managed by 
 the Forest Service comprising approximately 16,973 acres, as 
 generally depicted as ``Pilot Knob SMA'' on the map entitled 
 ``Sheet 2: McClure Pass'' and dated August 27, 2024, is 
 designated as the ``Pilot Knob Special Management Area''.

    (7) Signal peak special management area.--Subject to valid 
 existing rights, certain Federal land in the County managed by 
 the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service comprising 
 approximately 28,345 acres, as generally depicted as ``Signal 
 Peak SMA'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 9: Cabin Creek'' and 
 dated August 27, 2024, is designated as the ``Signal Peak 
 Special Management Area''.

    (8) Union park special management area.--Subject to valid 
 existing rights, certain Federal land in the County managed by 
 the Forest Service comprising approximately 22,483 acres, as 
 generally depicted as ``Union Park SMA'' on the map entitled 
 ``Sheet 5: Union Park'' and dated August 27, 2024, is 
 designated as the ``Union Park Special Management Area''.

    (9) Whetstone headwaters special management area.--Subject 
 to valid existing rights, certain Federal land in the County 
 managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management 
 comprising approximately 20,676 acres, as generally depicted as 
 ``Whetstone Headwaters SMA'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 3: 
 Kebler and Schofield Pass'' and dated August 27, 2024, is 
 designated as the ``Whetstone Headwaters Special Management 
 Area''.

    (b) 

=== Purpose ===
-The purpose of the Special Management Areas is to 
conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit of present and future 
generations the natural, scenic, scientific, cultural, watershed, 
recreation, and wildlife resources of the Special Management Areas.
            (c) Management.--

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the Special 
 Management Areas in a manner that--
        (A) conserves, protects, and enhances the resources 
 of the Special Management Areas; and
        (B) is in accordance with--
            (i) this Act; and
            (ii) other applicable laws.

    (2) Uses.--
        (A) In general.--The Secretary shall only allow 
 uses of the Special Management Areas that the Secretary 
 determines would further the purpose described in 
 subsection

    (b) .
        (B) Vehicle and bicycle use.--
            (i) In general.--The use of off-highway 
 vehicles and bicycles in the Special Management 
 Areas shall be permitted only on roads, trails, 
 and areas designated for use by those vehicles 
 on the date of enactment of this Act, except--
            (I) as needed for administrative 
 purposes;
            (II) to respond to an emergency; or
            (III) as authorized under clauses
            (ii) and
            (iii) .
            (ii) Winter travel management.--For any 
 portion of a Special Management Area for which 
 the Secretary has not adopted a winter travel 
 management plan as of the date of enactment of 
 this Act, the Secretary--
            (I) shall, not later than 3 years 
 after the date of enactment of this 
 Act, adopt a winter travel management 
 plan with respect to the applicable 
 portion of the Special Management Area; 
 and
            (II) may, during any period 
 beginning on the date of enactment of 
 this Act and ending on the date of 
 adoption of a winter travel management 
 plan for the applicable portion under 
 subclause
            (I) , permit the use of over-
 snow vehicles in the applicable portion 
 of the Special Management Area in 
 accordance with the applicable land 
 management plan or other applicable 
 management direction.
            (iii) Potential trails.--The Secretary may 
 permit--
            (I) the use of bicycles on the 
 potential trails described in paragraph

    (3) if the trails are designated by the 
 Secretary for the use; and
            (II) the use of off-highway 
 vehicles on the potential trails 
 described in subparagraphs
        (A) ,
            (C) , 
 and
        (F) of paragraph

    (3) if the trails 
 are designated by the Secretary for the 
 use.

    (3) Limitation.--Nothing in this section affects the 
 potential development, in accordance with applicable law, of--
        (A) a proposed trail of less than 50 inches in 
 width, commonly known as the ``Big Grassy Trail'', 
 within the American Flag Special Management Area 
 designated by subsection

    (a)

    (1) ;
        (B) the proposed trails, commonly known as the 
 ``Crested Butte to Paonia Trail'' and the ``Crested 
 Butte to Carbondale Trail'', within the Beckwiths 
 Special Management Area designated by subsection

    (a)

    (2) ;
            (C) the proposed trails, commonly known as the 
 ``Antelope Ridge Trail and Connector'', the ``East West 
 Antelope Trail'', the ``West Antelope Trail'', and the 
 ``Mill Creek Connector'', within the McIntosh Mountain 
 Special Management Area designated by subsection

    (a)

    (4) ;
            (D) the proposed trail, commonly known as the 
 ``Gunnison to Crested Butte Trail'', and the trails 
 generally depicted in figure 7 of the document entitled 
 ``Candidate Conservation Agreement: For the Gunnison 
 sage-grouse, Centrocercus minimus--Gunnison Basin 
 Population'' and dated 2012 within the Signal Peak 
 Special Management Area designated by subsection

    (a)

    (7) ;
        (E) the proposed trails, commonly known as the 
 ``Gunnison to Crested Butte Trail'' and the ``Baxter 
 Gulch to Splain's Gulch Trail'', in the Whetstone 
 Headwaters Special Management Area designated by 
 subsection

    (a)

    (9) ; or
        (F) the proposed trail, commonly known as the 
 ``Splain's Gulch to Carbon Creek Trail'', in the 
 Whetstone Headwaters Special Management Area designated 
 by subsection

    (a)

    (9) .

SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AREAS.

    (a) Designation.--

    (1) Cabin creek wildlife conservation area.--Subject to 
 valid existing rights, certain Federal land in the County 
 managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service 
 comprising approximately 29,518 acres, as generally depicted as 
 ``Cabin Creek WCA'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 9: Cabin 
 Creek'' and dated August 27, 2024, is designated as the ``Cabin 
 Creek Wildlife Conservation Area''.

    (2) Flat top wildlife conservation area.--Subject to valid 
 existing rights, certain Federal land in the County managed by 
 the Forest Service comprising approximately 28,844 acres, as 
 generally depicted as ``Flat Top WCA'' on the map entitled 
 ``Sheet 8: Gunnison Valley and Ohio Pass'' and dated August 27, 
 2024, is designated as the ``Flat Top Wildlife Conservation 
 Area''.

    (3) Lake gulch and cebolla creek wildlife conservation 
 area.--Subject to valid existing rights, certain Federal land 
 in the County managed by the Bureau of Land Management 
 comprising approximately 50,535 acres, as generally depicted as 
 ``Lake Gulch and Cebolla Creek WCA'' on the map entitled 
 ``Sheet 11: Lake Fork'' and dated August 27, 2024, is 
 designated as the ``Lake Gulch and Cebolla Creek Wildlife 
 Conservation Area''.

    (4) Matchless wildlife conservation area.--Subject to valid 
 existing rights, certain Federal land in the County managed by 
 the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management comprising 
 approximately 12,975 acres, as generally depicted as 
 ``Matchless WCA'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 4: Brush Creek, 
 Cement Creek, and Spring Creek'' and dated August 27, 2024, is 
 designated as the ``Matchless Wildlife Conservation Area''.

    (5) Munsey creek wildlife conservation area.--Subject to 
 valid existing rights, certain Federal land in the County 
 managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management 
 comprising approximately 3,281 acres, as generally depicted as 
 ``Munsey Creek WCA'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 3: Kebler and 
 Schofield Pass'' and dated August 27, 2024, is designated as 
 the ``Munsey Creek Wildlife Conservation Area''.

    (6) Pinnacles wildlife conservation area.--Subject to valid 
 existing rights, certain Federal land in the County managed by 
 the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management comprising 
 approximately 27,935 acres, as generally depicted as 
 ``Pinnacles WCA'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 8: Gunnison 
 Valley and Ohio Pass'' and dated August 27, 2024, is designated 
 as the ``Pinnacles Wildlife Conservation Area''.

    (7) Powderhorn wildlife conservation area.--Subject to 
 valid existing rights, certain Federal land in the County 
 managed by the Bureau of Land Management comprising 
 approximately 27,668 acres, as generally depicted as 
 ``Powderhorn WCA'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 11: Lake Fork'' 
 and dated August 27, 2024, is designated as the ``Powderhorn 
 Wildlife Conservation Area''.

    (8) Sawtooth wildlife conservation area.--Subject to valid 
 existing rights, certain Federal land in the County and in 
 Saguache County, Colorado, managed by the Bureau of Land 
 Management comprising approximately 43,109 acres, as generally 
 depicted as ``Sawtooth WCA'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 11: 
 Lake Fork'' and dated August 27, 2024, is designated as the 
 ``Sawtooth Wildlife Conservation Area''.

    (b) 

=== Purposes ===
-The purposes of the Wildlife Conservation Areas 
are--

    (1) to conserve, protect, enhance, and restore for the 
 benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations the 
 wildlife and wildlife habitat of the Wildlife Conservation 
 Areas; and

    (2) to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and 
 enjoyment of present and future generations the natural, 
 scenic, scientific, cultural, watershed, and recreation 
 resources of the Wildlife Conservation Areas.
            (c) Management.--

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the Wildlife 
 Conservation Areas in a manner that--
        (A) furthers the purposes of the Wildlife 
 Conservation Areas; and
        (B) is in accordance with--
            (i) this Act; and
            (ii) other applicable laws.

    (2) Uses.--
        (A) In general.--The Secretary shall only allow 
 uses of the Wildlife Conservation Areas that the 
 Secretary determines would further the purposes 
 described in subsection

    (b) .
        (B) Vehicle and bicycle use.--
            (i) In general.--The use of off-highway 
 vehicles and bicycles in the Wildlife 
 Conservation Areas shall be permitted only on 
 roads, trails, and areas designated for the 
 uses on the date of enactment of this Act.
            (ii) Exceptions.--Notwithstanding clause
            (i) --
            (I) off-highway vehicles and 
 bicycles may be permitted--

    (aa) as needed for 
 administrative purposes; or

    (bb) to respond to an 
 emergency;
            (II) for any portion of a Wildlife 
 Conservation Area for which the 
 Secretary has not adopted a winter 
 travel management plan as of the date 
 of enactment of this Act, the 
 Secretary--

    (aa) shall, not later than 
 3 years after the date of 
 enactment of this Act, adopt a 
 winter travel management plan 
 for the applicable portion of 
 the Wildlife Conservation Area; 
 and

    (bb) may, during the period 
 beginning on the date of 
 enactment of this Act and 
 ending on the date of adoption 
 of a winter travel management 
 plan for the applicable portion 
 under item

    (aa) , permit the use 
 of over-snow vehicles in the 
 applicable portion of the 
 Wildlife Conservation Area in 
 accordance with the applicable 
 land management plan or other 
 applicable management 
 direction;
            (III) except as authorized under 
 subclause
            (I) , the use of off-highway 
 vehicles and bicycles shall be 
 prohibited in the Matchless Wildlife 
 Conservation Area designated by 
 subsection

    (a)

    (4) ; and
            (IV) the Secretary may permit the 
 use of bicycles on the potential trails 
 described in paragraph

    (3) if the 
 trails are designated by the Secretary 
 for the use.

    (3) Limitation.--Nothing in this section affects the 
 potential development, in accordance with applicable law, of--
        (A) the proposed trail, commonly known as the 
 ``Gunnison to Crested Butte Trail'', in the Flat Top 
 Wildlife Conservation Area designated by subsection

    (a)

    (2) ;
        (B) the proposed trail, commonly known as the 
 ``Crested Butte to Carbondale Trail'', in the Munsey 
 Creek Wildlife Conservation Area designated by 
 subsection

    (a)

    (5) ; or
            (C) the proposed trails, commonly known as the 
 ``Tenderfoot Mountain to Bambi's Trail'' and the ``Big 
 Loop Trail'', in the Sawtooth Wildlife Conservation 
 Area designated by subsection

    (a)

    (8) .

SEC. 5. DESIGNATION OF PROTECTION AREAS.

    (a) Designation.--

    (1) Castle protection area.--Subject to valid existing 
 rights, certain Federal land in the County managed by the 
 Forest Service comprising approximately 6,390 acres, as 
 generally depicted as ``Castle Protection Area'' on the map 
 entitled ``Sheet 8: Gunnison Valley and Ohio Pass'' and dated 
 August 27, 2024, is designated as the ``Castle Protection 
 Area''.

    (2) Deer creek protection area.--Subject to valid existing 
 rights, certain Federal land in the County managed by the 
 Forest Service comprising approximately 3,136 acres, as 
 generally depicted as ``Deer Creek Protection Area'' on the map 
 entitled ``Sheet 3: Kebler and Schofield Pass'' and dated 
 August 27, 2024, is designated as the ``Deer Creek Protection 
 Area''.

    (3) Granite basin protection area.--Subject to valid 
 existing rights, certain Federal land in the County managed by 
 the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management comprising 
 approximately 9,666 acres, as generally depicted as ``Granite 
 Basin Protection Area'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 4: Brush 
 Creek, Cement Creek, and Spring Creek'' and dated August 27, 
 2024, is designated as the ``Granite Basin Protection Area''.

    (4) South poverty gulch protection area.--Subject to valid 
 existing rights, certain Federal land in the County managed by 
 the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management comprising 
 approximately 1,350 acres, as generally depicted as ``South 
 Poverty Gulch Protection Area'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 3: 
 Kebler and Schofield Pass'' and dated August 27, 2024, is 
 designated as the ``South Poverty Gulch Protection Area''.

    (b) 

=== Purposes ===
-The purposes of the Protection Areas are--

    (1) to protect the natural and undeveloped character of the 
 Protection Areas; and

    (2) to conserve and protect for the benefit and enjoyment 
 of present and future generations the natural, scenic, 
 scientific, cultural, watershed, recreation, and wildlife 
 resources of the Protection Areas.
            (c) Management.--

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the Protection 
 Areas in a manner that--
        (A) furthers the purposes of the Protection Areas 
 described in subsection

    (b) ; and
        (B) is in accordance with--
            (i) this Act; and
            (ii) other applicable laws.

    (2) Uses.--
        (A) In general.--The Secretary shall only allow 
 uses of the Protection Areas that the Secretary 
 determines would further the purposes described in 
 subsection

    (b) .
        (B) Vehicle use.--
            (i) In general.--Except as provided in 
 clause
            (ii) , as needed for administrative 
 purposes, or to respond to an emergency, the 
 use of off-highway vehicles in the Protection 
 Areas is prohibited.
            (ii) Over-snow vehicles.--The Secretary may 
 permit the use of over-snow vehicles in the 
 Deer Creek Protection Area designated by 
 subsection

    (a)

    (2) on roads, trails, and areas 
 designated for the use on the date of enactment 
 of this Act.
            (C) Bicycles.--The Secretary may permit the use of 
 bicycles in the Protection Areas only--
            (i) on roads and trails designated for the 
 use on the date of enactment of this Act;
            (ii) as needed for administrative purposes;
            (iii) to respond to an emergency; or
            (iv) if designated by the Secretary for the 
 use on the potential trails described in 
 paragraph

    (3) .

    (3) Limitation.--Nothing in this section affects the 
 potential development, in accordance with applicable law, of--
        (A) the proposed trail, commonly known as the 
 ``Deer Creek to Brush Creek Connector Trail'', within 
 the Deer Creek Protection Area designated by subsection

    (a)

    (2) ;
        (B) the proposed trail, commonly known as the 
 ``Eccher Exit Trail'', within the Granite Basin 
 Protection Area designated by subsection

    (a)

    (3) ; or
            (C) the proposed trail, commonly known as the 
 ``Lower Loop Trail Extension'', in the South Poverty 
 Gulch Protection Area designated by subsection

    (a)

    (4) .

SEC. 6. DESIGNATION OF RECREATION MANAGEMENT AREAS.

    (a) Designation.--

    (1) Double top recreation management area.--Subject to 
 valid existing rights, certain Federal land in the County 
 managed by the Forest Service comprising approximately 14,734 
 acres, as generally depicted as ``Double Top RMA'' on the map 
 entitled ``Sheet 4: Brush Creek, Cement Creek, and Spring 
 Creek'' and dated August 27, 2024, is designated as the 
 ``Double Top Recreation Management Area''.

    (2) Horse ranch park recreation management area.--Subject 
 to valid existing rights, certain Federal land in the County 
 managed by the Forest Service comprising approximately 3,513 
 acres, as generally depicted as ``Horse Ranch Park RMA'' on the 
 map entitled ``Sheet 3: Kebler and Schofield Pass'' and dated 
 August 27, 2024, is designated as the ``Horse Ranch Park 
 Recreation Management Area''.

    (b) 

=== Purposes ===
-The purposes of the Recreation Management Areas 
are--

    (1) to provide for, and improve the management of, 
 recreation resources in the Recreation Management Areas for the 
 benefit and enjoyment of present and future generation; and

    (2) to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and 
 enjoyment of present and future generations the natural, 
 scenic, scientific, cultural, watershed, and wildlife resources 
 of the Recreation Management Areas.
            (c) Management.--

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the Recreation 
 Management Areas in a manner that--
        (A) furthers the purposes of the Recreation 
 Management Areas described in subsection

    (b) ; and
        (B) is in accordance with--
            (i) this Act; and
            (ii) other applicable laws.

    (2) Uses.--
        (A) In general.--The Secretary shall only allow 
 uses of the Recreation Management Areas that the 
 Secretary determines would further the purposes 
 described in subsection

    (b) .
        (B) Vehicle and bicycle use.--
            (i) Double top.--
            (I) In general.--Except as provided 
 in subclause
            (II) , the use of off-
 highway vehicles and bicycles in the 
 Double Top Recreation Management Area 
 designated by subsection

    (a)

    (1) shall 
 be permitted only on roads and trails 
 designated for the use on the date of 
 enactment of this Act.
            (II) Exceptions.--

    (aa) Over-snow vehicles.--
 Except as provided in item

    (bb) , the use of over-snow 
 vehicles shall not be permitted 
 in the Double Top Recreation 
 Management Area designated by 
 subsection

    (a)

    (1) .

    (bb) Administrative use.--
 Nothing in this section limits 
 the use of off-highway vehicles 
 in the Double Top Recreation 
 Management Area designated by 
 subsection

    (a)

    (1) as necessary 
 for administrative purposes or 
 to respond to an emergency 
 (including as appropriate for 
 administrative support and 
 emergency response during the 
 Grand Traverse skiing event, as 
 permitted by the Grand Mesa, 
 Uncompahgre, and Gunnison 
 National Forests).
            (ii) Horse ranch park.--
            (I) Vehicle use.--

    (aa) In general.--Except as 
 provided in item

    (bb) , the use 
 of off-highway vehicles in the 
 Horse Ranch Park Recreation 
 Management Area designated by 
 subsection

    (a)

    (2) is 
 prohibited.

    (bb) Exceptions.--The 
 Secretary may permit the use of 
 over-snow vehicles in the Horse 
 Ranch Park Recreation 
 Management Area designated by 
 subsection

    (a)

    (2) --

    (AA) only on roads, 
 trails, and areas 
 designated for the use 
 on the date of 
 enactment of this Act; 
 or

    (BB) as needed for 
 administrative purposes 
 or to respond to an 
 emergency.
            (II) Bicycles.--The Secretary may 
 permit the use of bicycles in the Horse 
 Ranch Park Recreation Management Area 
 designated by subsection

    (a)

    (2) only--

    (aa) on roads, trails, and 
 areas designated for the use on 
 the date of enactment of this 
 Act;

    (bb) as needed for 
 administrative purposes;
            (cc) to respond to an 
 emergency; or
            (dd) if designated by the 
 Secretary for the use on the 
 potential trails described in 
 subclause
            (III) .
            (III) Limitation.--Nothing in this 
 section affects the potential 
 development, in accordance with 
 applicable law, of the proposed trail 
 commonly known as the ``Crested Butte 
 to Paonia Trail'', the proposed trail 
 commonly known as the ``Crested Butte 
 to Carbondale Trail'', or the proposed 
 trail commonly known as the ``Dark 
 Canyon Loop Trail'', in the Horse Ranch 
 Park Recreation Management Area 
 designated by subsection

    (a)

    (2) .

SEC. 7. DESIGNATION OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND 
 EDUCATION AREA.

    (a) Designation.--Subject to valid existing rights, certain Federal 
land managed by the Forest Service comprising approximately 12,250 
acres, as generally depicted as ``Rocky Mountain Scientific Research 
and Education Area'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 3: Kebler and 
Schofield Pass'' and dated August 27, 2024, is designated as the 
``Rocky Mountain Scientific Research and Education Area''.

    (b) 

=== Purposes ===
-The purposes of the Scientific Research and 
Education Area are--

    (1) to encourage and preserve conditions necessary for 
 ecological, evolutionary, geological, biogeochemical, 
 climatological, biological, meteorological, and other natural 
 science research and education;

    (2) to provide opportunities for the use of continually 
 emerging techniques and methodologies in the conduct of the 
 research and education described in paragraph

    (1) ; and

    (3) to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and 
 enjoyment of present and future generations the natural, 
 scenic, scientific, cultural, watershed, recreation, and 
 wildlife resources of the Scientific Research and Education 
 Area.
            (c) Management.--

    (1) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the Scientific 
 Research and Education Area in a manner that--
        (A) furthers the purposes of the Scientific 
 Research and Education Area described in subsection

    (b) ; and
        (B) is in accordance with--
            (i) this Act; and
            (ii) other applicable laws.

    (2) Uses.--
        (A) In general.--The Secretary shall only allow 
 uses of the Scientific Research and Education Area that 
 the Secretary determines would further the purposes 
 described in subsection

    (b) .
        (B) Vehicle use.--Except as needed for 
 administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency, 
 the use of off-highway vehicles in the Scientific 
 Research and Education Area shall be permitted only on 
 roads designated for the use on the date of enactment 
 of this Act.
            (C) Bicycles.--The use of bicycles in the 
 Scientific Research and Education Area shall be 
 permitted only--
            (i) on roads and trails designated for the 
 use by the Secretary on the date of enactment 
 of this Act; or
            (ii) on trails designated for the use by 
 the Secretary after the date of enactment of 
 this Act if the Secretary determines that the 
 use is consistent with the purposes described 
 in paragraphs

    (1) and

    (2) of subsection

    (b) .
            (d) Effect.--Nothing in this section limits the authority of the 
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory to conduct scientific research or 
education activities inside or outside the boundaries of the Scientific 
Research and Education Area.

SEC. 8. DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS.

    (a) Designation.--

Section 2

    (a) of the Colorado Wilderness Act of 
1993 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 107 Stat. 756; 114 Stat. 1955; 116 Stat. 
1055; 128 Stat. 3823) is amended--

    (1) in paragraph

    (6) , by striking ``1993,'' and inserting 
 ``1993, and approximately 2,096 acres, as generally depicted as 
 `Crystal Creek Wilderness Addition' and `Lottis Creek 
 Wilderness Addition' on the map entitled `Sheet 4: Brush Creek, 
 Cement Creek, and Spring Creek' and dated August 27, 2024,'';

    (2) in paragraph

    (9) --
        (A) by striking ``Gunnison'' and inserting 
 ``Gunnison and White River''; and
        (B) by striking ``1993,'' and inserting ``1993, and 
 approximately 11,780 acres, as generally depicted as 
 `Poverty Gulch Wilderness Addition', `Treasure 
 Wilderness Addition', and `Erickson Springs Wilderness 
 Addition' on the map entitled `Sheet 3: Kebler and 
 Schofield Pass' and dated August, 27, 2024,''; and

    (3) by adding at the end the following:
 ``

    (23) Matchless wilderness.--Certain Federal land in the 
 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests 
 comprising approximately 8,656 acres, as generally depicted as 
 `Matchless Wilderness' on the map entitled `Sheet 4: Brush 
 Creek, Cement Creek, and Spring Creek' and dated August, 27, 
 2024, which shall be known as the `Matchless Wilderness'.
 ``

    (24) East cement wilderness.--Certain Federal land in the 
 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests 
 comprising approximately 7,684 acres, as generally depicted as 
 `East Cement Wilderness' on the map entitled `Sheet 4: Brush 
 Creek, Cement Creek, and Spring Creek' and dated August 27, 
 2024, which shall be known as the `East Cement Wilderness'.
 ``

    (25) Star peak wilderness.--Certain Federal land in the 
 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison, and the White River National 
 Forests comprising approximately 7,210 acres, as generally 
 depicted as `Star Peak Wilderness' on the map entitled `Sheet 
 4: Brush Creek, Cement Creek, and Spring Creek' and dated 
 August 27, 2024, which shall be known as the `Star Peak 
 Wilderness'.
 ``

    (26) Maroon bells-snowmass wilderness addition.--Certain 
 Federal land in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison 
 National Forests comprising approximately 3,321 acres, as 
 generally depicted as `Deer Creek Wilderness Addition' and 
 `Ashcroft Wilderness Addition' on the map entitled `Sheet 4: 
 Brush Creek, Cement Creek, and Spring Creek' and dated August 
 27, 2024, which shall be incorporated in, and managed as part 
 of, the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.
 ``

    (27) West elk wilderness addition.--Certain Federal land 
 in the Gunnison Field Office administered by the Bureau of Land 
 Management, in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison 
 National Forests and in the Curecanti National Recreation Area, 
 comprising approximately 58,603 acres, as generally depicted as 
 `Lamborn Wilderness Addition', `Castle Wilderness Addition', 
 `Beaver Wilderness Addition', `Steuben Creek Wilderness 
 Addition', `East Elk Creek Wilderness Addition', `Dillon Mesa 
 Wilderness Addition', `Soap Creek Wilderness Addition', and 
 `Curecanti Wilderness Addition' on the map entitled `Sheet 7: 
 West Elk Additions' and dated August 27, 2024, which shall be 
 incorporated in, and managed as part of, the West Elk 
 Wilderness.
 ``

    (28) Uncompahgre wilderness additions.--Certain Federal 
 land in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National 
 Forests comprising approximately 13,948 acres, as generally 
 depicted as `Uncompahgre Wilderness Additions' on the map 
 entitled `Sheet 10: Uncompahgre Additions' and dated August 27, 
 2024, which shall be incorporated in, and managed as part of, 
 the Uncompahgre Wilderness.
 ``

    (29) Powderhorn wilderness addition.--Certain Federal 
 land in the Gunnison Field Office administered by the Bureau of 
 Land Management comprising approximately 9,604 acres, as 
 generally depicted as `Powderhorn Wilderness Addition' on the 
 map entitled `Sheet 11: Lake Fork' and dated August 27, 2024, 
 which shall be incorporated in, and managed as part of, the 
 Powderhorn Wilderness.''.

    (b) Applicable Law.--Any reference in the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
1131 et seq.) or the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1132 
note; Public Law 103-77) to the effective date of that Act shall be 
considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act for 
purposes of administering the wilderness areas.
            (c) Fire, Insects, and Diseases.--In accordance with 

section 4
            (d) (1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133
            (d) (1) ), the Secretary may 
carry out any measure within the wilderness areas that the Secretary 
determines to be necessary to control fire, insects, and diseases, 
subject to any terms and conditions that the Secretary determines to be 
appropriate.
            (d) West Elk Wilderness Boundary Modification.--

    (1) In general.--The boundary of the West Elk Wilderness in 
 the County is modified to exclude the approximately 15 acres 
 generally depicted as ``West Elk Wilderness Boundary Pullback'' 
 on the map entitled ``Sheet 3: Kebler and Schofield Pass'' and 
 dated August 27, 2024.

    (2) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the 
 Federal land excluded from the boundary of the West Elk 
 Wilderness under paragraph

    (1) is withdrawn from--
        (A) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the 
 public land laws;
        (B) location, entry, and patent under the mining 
 laws; and
            (C) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral 
 materials, and geothermal leasing laws.

    (e) Release.--Congress finds that, for the purposes of subsection
            (c) of 

section 603 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782), the land within the Powderhorn Wilderness Study 
Area not designated as wilderness by this section (or an amendment made 
by this section)--

    (1) has been adequately studied for wilderness designation; 
 and

    (2) is no longer subject to that subsection.

SEC. 9. NORTH FORK VALLEY WATERSHED.

    (a) Withdrawal.--

    (1) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights, the 
 Federal land in Delta County, Colorado, as generally depicted 
 as ``Oil and Gas Withdrawal'' on the map entitled ``Sheet 6: 
 North Fork Valley'' and dated August 27, 2024, is withdrawn 
 from operation of the mineral leasing laws with respect to oil 
 and gas.

    (2) Effect.--Nothing in paragraph

    (1) prevents the 
 Secretary of the Interior from authorizing the use or 
 destruction of methane gas that would leak or be vented into 
 the atmosphere from--
        (A) an active or inactive coal mine subject to a 
 Federal coal lease; or
        (B) an abandoned underground coal mine or the site 
 of a former coal mine--
            (i) that is not subject to a Federal coal 
 lease; and
            (ii) with respect to which the Federal 
 interest in land includes mineral rights to the 
 methane gas.

    (b) No Surface Occupancy Restriction.--Subject to valid existing 
rights, the Federal land in Delta County, Colorado, as generally 
depicted as ``Oil and Gas No Surface Occupancy'' on the map entitled 
``Sheet 1: Electric Mountain'' and dated August 27, 2024, shall be 
subject to a no surface occupancy restriction with respect to oil and 
gas exploration, development, production, and distribution.
            (c) Gunnison River Motorized Boats and Boat Ramp Use.--

    (1) In general.--Notwithstanding the limitation on transfer 
 in the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area Approved 
 Resource Management Plan dated November 2004, the Secretary of 
 the Interior, in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
 1131 et seq.) and subject to paragraph

    (2) and such terms and 
 conditions as the Secretary of the Interior may require, may 
 transfer the special recreation use permit for the use of 
 motorized boats within the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area, if 
 the use was established before the date of designation of the 
 Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area.

    (2) Boat ramp.--The Secretary of the Interior may only 
 transfer the special recreation use permit described in 
 paragraph

    (1) under that paragraph if the Secretary of the 
 Interior determines that--
        (A) the right of the public to the permanent and 
 reasonable use of the boat ramp for the Gunnison River 
 at the Gunnison Forks Day Use Area in Delta County, 
 Colorado, has been acquired by a Federal agency or a 
 State or local government; and
        (B) any fees to be charged by the Federal agency or 
 the State or local government for public use of the 
 boat ramp described in subparagraph
        (A) would be 
 reasonable.

SEC. 10. LAND TO BE HELD IN TRUST FOR THE UTE MOUNTAIN UTE TRIBE.

    (a) Trust.--

    (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
 enactment of this Act and subject to valid existing rights, on 
 request by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (referred to in this 
 section as the ``Tribe''), the Secretary of the Interior shall 
 take into trust for the benefit of the Tribe the approximately 
 19,080 acres of land in the County, owned in fee by the Tribe, 
 as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Ute Mountain Ute 
 Tribe; Pinecrest Ranch--Fee to Trust Legislation'' and dated 
 September 20, 2024.

    (2) Administration.--The land taken into trust by paragraph

    (1) shall--
        (A) be part of the reservation of the Tribe; and
        (B) be administered in accordance with the laws and 
 regulations generally applicable to property held in 
 trust by the United States for the benefit of an Indian 
 Tribe.

    (3) Restriction on use for gaming activities.--The land 
 taken into trust by paragraph

    (1) shall not be eligible for, or 
 considered to have been taken into trust for, any gaming 
 activity under any Federal law, including the Indian Gaming 
 Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) and regulations 
 promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior or the National 
 Indian Gaming Commission under that Act.

    (b) Survey.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, if any land is taken into trust under subsection

    (a) , the 
Secretary of the Interior shall complete a survey to establish the 
boundaries of the land taken into trust under that subsection.
            (c) Effect.--Nothing in this section shall affect the rights, 
title, interests, or jurisdiction of the County in County Road 25 or 
its right-of-way.

SEC. 11. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

    (a) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--

    (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
 enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map and a 
 legal description of the covered areas and wilderness areas 
 with--
        (A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
 of the Senate; and
        (B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
 of Representatives.

    (2) Force of law.--Each map and legal description filed 
 under paragraph

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

    (3) Public availability.--Each map and legal description 
 filed under paragraph

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

    (b) Acquisition of Land.--

    (1) In general.--The Secretary may acquire any land or 
 interest in land within a covered area or wilderness area only 
 through exchange, donation, or purchase from a willing seller.

    (2) Management.--Any land or interest in land acquired 
 under paragraph

    (1) shall be incorporated in, and administered 
 as a part of, the covered area or wilderness area in which the 
 land or interest in land is located.
            (c) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the covered 
areas and wilderness areas are withdrawn from--

    (1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under 
 the public land laws;

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

    (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mining materials, and 
 geothermal leasing laws.
            (d) Fish and Wildlife.--Nothing in this Act affects the 
jurisdiction or responsibility of the State with respect to fish and 
wildlife in the State.

    (e) Grazing.--The laws (including regulations) and policies 
followed by the Secretary in issuing and administering grazing permits 
or leases on land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary shall 
continue to apply within a covered area.

    (f) Wildfire, Insect, and Disease Management.--In accordance with 
this Act, the Secretary may--

    (1) carry out any measures that the Secretary determines to 
 be necessary to manage wildland fire, and treat hazardous 
 fuels, insects, and diseases, in the covered areas; and

    (2) coordinate the measures with the appropriate State or 
 local agency, as the Secretary determines to be necessary.

    (g) Vegetation Management.--

    (1) In general.--No project shall be carried out in a 
 covered area for the purpose of harvesting commercial timber.

    (2) Ecological restoration.--Any vegetation management 
 project carried out in a covered area outside of the wildland-
 urban interface that includes the harvest or sale of 
 merchantable materials shall--
        (A) be collaboratively developed;
        (B) limit the sale of merchantable materials to 
 small diameter trees or biomass; and
            (C) in accordance with the best available science--
            (i) restore ecological integrity;
            (ii) maximize the retention of old growth 
 and large trees, as appropriate for the forest 
 type; and
            (iii) focus on prescribed fire as the 
 primary means to achieve modified wildland fire 
 behavior, as measured by the projected 
 reduction of uncharacteristically severe 
 wildfire effects for the forest type.

    (h) Roads and Trails.--

    (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph

    (2) , no 
 road shall be constructed in a covered area.

    (2) Exception.--Nothing in paragraph

    (1) prevents the 
 Secretary from--
        (A) constructing a temporary road in a Protection 
 Area, Recreation Management Area, or Special Management 
 Area as the Secretary determines to be necessary as a 
 minimum requirement for carrying out a vegetation 
 management project in accordance with this Act;
        (B) responding to an emergency; or
            (C) authorizing the transportation of scientific 
 research equipment within the Scientific Research and 
 Education Area.

    (3) Decommissioning of temporary roads.--Not later than 3 
 years after the date on which an applicable vegetation 
 management project is completed, the Secretary shall 
 decommission any temporary road constructed under paragraph

    (2)
        (A) for the applicable vegetation management project.

    (4) Rerouting.--Nothing in this Act prevents the Secretary 
 from rerouting a trail within a covered area to protect public 
 safety or natural resources from degradation, as determined to 
 be appropriate by the Secretary.
            (i) Water Rights.--Nothing in this Act affects the use or 
allocation of any absolute or conditional water right that is--

    (1) decreed under the laws of the State; and

    (2) in existence on the date of enactment of this Act.

    (j) No Buffer Zones.--

    (1) In general.--Nothing in this Act establishes a 
 protective perimeter or buffer zone around a covered area or 
 wilderness area.

    (2) Outside activities.--The fact that a non-wilderness 
 activity or use on land outside of a covered area or wilderness 
 area can be seen or heard from an area within a covered area or 
 wilderness area shall not preclude the conduct of the activity 
 or use outside the boundary of the covered area or wilderness 
 area.

    (k) Seasonal Closures.--As appropriate and in accordance with 
applicable law, the Secretary shall develop and implement seasonal 
closures for off-highway vehicles and bicycles to protect wildlife and 
wildlife habitat in--

    (1) the McIntosh Mountain Special Management Area 
 designated by 

section 3

    (a)

    (4) ;

    (2) the Signal Peak Special Management Area designated by 
 

section 3

    (a)

    (7) ;

    (3) the Cabin Creek Wildlife Conservation Area designated 
 by 

section 4

    (a)

    (1) ;

    (4) the Flat Top Wildlife Conservation Area designated by 
 

section 4

    (a)

    (2) ;

    (5) the Lake Gulch and Cebolla Creek Wildlife Conservation 
 Area designated by 

section 4

    (a)

    (3) ; and

    (6) the Pinnacles Wildlife Conservation Area designated by 
 

section 4

    (a)

    (6) .
            (l) Restoration Activities.--

    (1) In general.--As appropriate and in accordance with 
 applicable law, the Secretary shall conduct wet meadow and 
 riparian restoration projects to improve climate resiliency and 
 wildlife habitat in--
        (A) the McIntosh Mountain Special Management Area 
 designated by 

section 3

    (a)

    (4) ;
        (B) the Signal Peak Special Management Area 
 designated by 

section 3

    (a)

    (7) ;
            (C) the Flat Top Wildlife Conservation Area 
 designated by 

section 4

    (a)

    (2) ;
            (D) the Lake Gulch and Cebolla Creek Wildlife 
 Conservation Area designated by 

section 4

    (a)

    (3) ;
        (E) the Pinnacles Wildlife Conservation Area 
 designated by 

section 4

    (a)

    (6) ; and
        (F) the Sawtooth Wildlife Conservation Area 
 designated by 

section 4

    (a)

    (8) .

    (2) Collaboration.--In carrying out the projects described 
 in paragraph

    (1) , the Secretary shall seek to collaborate 
 with--
        (A) the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife;
        (B) the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy 
 District;
            (C) the County;
            (D) in the case of a project located in the 
 Sawtooth Wildlife Conservation Area designated by 
 

section 4

    (a)

    (8) , Saguache County, Colorado;
        (E) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; 
 and
        (F) other interested entities and individuals.
            (m) Tribal Rights and Uses.--

    (1) Treaty rights.--Nothing in this Act affects the treaty 
 rights of any Indian Tribe.

    (2) Traditional tribal uses.--Subject to any terms and 
 conditions that the Secretary determines to be necessary and in 
 accordance with applicable law, the Secretary shall allow for 
 the continued use of a covered area or wilderness area by 
 members of Indian Tribes--
        (A) for traditional ceremonies; and
        (B) as a source of traditional plants and other 
 materials.
 <all>