H.R. 2903

[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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