Sponsors (2)
The bill secures long-term conservation, recreation access, tribal uses, and local input for large parts of the Dolores River corridor while imposing restrictions and new review/coordination requirements that may reduce local resource-based economic opportunities, constrain water-project flexibility, and increase administrative costs.
Residents, visitors, and nearby communities gain long-term conservation of the Dolores River corridor and native fish/wildlife habitat across tens of thousands of acres, protecting biodiversity and scenic values.
Recreation access (whitewater boating, hunting, fishing) and scenic experiences are preserved and managed, with motorized use limited to designated routes to maintain recreation quality.
Local stakeholders, counties, tribes, and water users get formal roles through an Advisory Council and required consultation and management planning, increasing local input, transparency, and collaborative decision-making.
Local jobs and revenues tied to mining, timber, and other resource extraction could be lost or reduced because lands are withdrawn from leasing and harvesting is limited, hitting rural economies and workers.
New or broader definitions and conservation constraints on 'water resource projects' and limits on altering flows may constrain water-project flexibility, add reviews, and delay upgrades — raising costs for utilities, water managers, farmers, and taxpayers.
Incorporation of the 'unreasonably diminish' standard and conservation-focused restrictions could reduce downstream water uses or impose limits on existing water rights, affecting farmers and other water-rights holders.
Based on analysis of 10 sections of legislative text.
Creates a Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area, sets conservation-focused management, limits development/mining, and requires management plans within 3 years.
Introduced May 15, 2025 by Michael F. Bennet · Last progress May 15, 2025
Creates a new federally protected Dolores River National Conservation Area (about 52,872 acres of BLM land) and a Dolores River Special Management Area (about 15,452 acres in San Juan National Forest). It sets conservation and recreation priorities (native fish, whitewater boating, wildlife, cultural and scenic resources), restricts new road building and broad mineral development, requires maps and management plans within three years, preserves existing Indian treaty and water-rights protections, and removes these lands from further Wild and Scenic Rivers study.