S. 1476
119th CONGRESS 1st Session
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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES · April 10, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Heinrich · Committee: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Table of contents
SEC. 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:
- The term
covered segmentmeans a river segment designated by paragraph (233) of section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act () (as added by subsection (b)). 16 U.S.C. 1274(a) - The term
Secretary concernedmeans— - The term
Statemeans the State of New Mexico.
- The term
- In this section:
- (b) Designation of segments
- Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act () is amended by adding at the end the following: 16 U.S.C. 1274(a)
- (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 ) in the following classifications:
- (A) Apache creek
- The approximately 10.5-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild river.
Apache Creek
- The approximately 10.5-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild river.
Black Canyon Creek - (ii) The 0.6-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a recreational river.
Black Canyon Creek - (iii) The 1.9-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a recreational river.
Black Canyon Creek - (iv) The 11-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild river.
Black Canyon Creek
- (i) The 11.8-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
Diamond Creek - (ii) The approximately 4.7-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
Diamond Creek - (iii) The approximately 3.1-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
Diamond Creek - (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.
- (i) The approximately 13.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild river.
Gila 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 and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild river.
Gila River
- (i) The approximately 34.9-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild river.
East Fork Gila River
- The approximately 10.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated April 21, 2020, as a recreational river.
Gila River, Lower Box - (ii) The approximately 6.1-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 21, 2020, as a wild river.
Gila River, Lower Box
- (i) The approximately 3.1-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 21, 2020, as a recreational river.
- (H) Gila river, middle box
- (i) The approximately 0.6-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a recreational river.
Gila River, Middle Box - (ii) The approximately 0.4-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled ’ and dated April 30, 2020, as a recreational river.
Gila River, Middle Box - (iii) The approximately 0.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a recreational river.
Gila River, Middle Box - (iv) The approximately 0.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a recreational river.
Gila River, Middle Box - (v) The approximately 1.6-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a recreational river.
Gila River, Middle Box - (vi) The approximately 9.8-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild river.
Gila River, Middle Box
- (i) The approximately 0.6-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a recreational river.
- (I) Gila river, middle fork
- (i) The approximately 1.2-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated May 1, 2020, as a recreational river.
Middle Fork Gila River - (ii) The approximately 35.5-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated May 1, 2020, as a wild river.
Middle Fork Gila River
- (i) The approximately 1.2-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated May 1, 2020, as a recreational river.
- (J) Gila river, west fork
- (i) The approximately 30.6-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated May 1, 2020, as a wild river.
West Fork Gila River - (ii) The approximately 4-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated May 1, 2020, as a recreational river.
West Fork Gila River
- (i) The approximately 30.6-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated May 1, 2020, as a wild river.
- (K) Gilita creek
- The approximately 6.4-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild river.
Gilita Creek
- The approximately 6.4-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
Holden Prong
- The approximately 7.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
Indian Creek - (ii) The approximately 9.5-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
Indian Creek
- (i) The approximately 5-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
- (N) Iron creek
- The approximately 13.2-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild river.
Iron Creek
- The approximately 13.2-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
Las Animas Creek - (ii) The approximately 2.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a scenic river.
Las Animas Creek
- (i) The approximately 5.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
- (P) Little creek
- (i) The approximately 0.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated May 1, 2020, as a recreational river.
Little Creek - (ii) The approximately 18.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated May 1, 2020, as a wild river.
Little Creek
- (i) The approximately 0.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated May 1, 2020, as a recreational river.
- (Q) Mcknight canyon
- The approximately 10.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild river.
McKnight Canyon
- The approximately 10.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
Mineral Creek - (ii) The approximately 0.5-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
Mineral Creek - (iii) The approximately 0.5-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
Mineral Creek - (iv) The approximately 0.1-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
Mineral Creek - (v) The approximately 0.03-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
Mineral Creek - (vi) The approximately 0.02-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
Mineral Creek - (vii) The approximately 0.6-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
Mineral Creek - (viii) The approximately 0.1-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
Mineral Creek - (ix) The approximately 0.03-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
Mineral Creek - (x) The approximately 0.7-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
Mineral Creek
- (i) The approximately 8.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
- (S) Mogollon creek
- The approximately 15.8-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 2, 2020, as a wild river.
Mogollon Creek
- The approximately 15.8-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild river.
West Fork Mogollon Creek
- The approximately 8.5-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild river.
Mule Creek
- The approximately 4.3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated October 29, 2021, as a scenic river.
San Francisco River, Devil's Creek - (ii) The approximately 6.4-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated October 29, 2021, as a scenic river.
San Francisco River, Devil's Creek - (iii) The approximately 6.1-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated October 29, 2021, as a scenic river.
San Francisco River, Devil's Creek - (iv) The approximately 1.2-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated October 29, 2021, as a recreational river.
San Francisco River, Devil’s Creek - (v) The approximately 5.9-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated October 29, 2021, as a recreational river.
San Francisco River, Devil’s Creek
- (i) The approximately 1.8-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated October 29, 2021, as a scenic river.
- (W) San francisco river, lower san francisco river canyon
- (i) The approximately 1.8-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
San Francisco River, Lower San Francisco River Canyon - (ii) The approximately 0.6-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
San Francisco River, Lower San Francisco River Canyon - (iii) The approximately 14.6-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
San Francisco River, Lower San Francisco River Canyon
- (i) The approximately 1.8-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild river.
San Francisco River, Upper Frisco Box
- The approximately 6-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
Sapillo Creek
- The approximately 7.2-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated March 4, 2020, as a wild river.
Spruce Creek
- The approximately 3.7-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated April 30, 2020, as a scenic river.
Taylor Creek - (ii) The approximately 6.1-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild river.
Taylor Creek - (iii) The approximately 6.7-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild river.
Taylor Creek
- (i) The approximately 0.4-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a scenic river.
- (BB) Turkey creek
- The approximately 17.1-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a wild river.
Turkey Creek
- The approximately 17.1-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled 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 and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
Whitewater Creek - (ii) The approximately 1.1-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a recreational river.
Whitewater Creek
- (i) The approximately 13.5-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated March 27, 2020, as a wild river.
- (DD) Willow creek
- (i) The approximately 3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a recreational river.
Willow Creek - (ii) The approximately 2.9-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a recreational river.
Willow Creek
- (i) The approximately 3-mile segment, as generally depicted on the map entitled and dated April 30, 2020, as a recreational river.
- (233) Gila River System, New Mexico
- Section 3(a) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act () is amended by adding at the end the following: 16 U.S.C. 1274(a)
- (c) Withdrawal
- Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land within the boundary of a covered segment is withdrawn from all forms of—
- entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;
- location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
- disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.
- Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land within the boundary of a covered segment is withdrawn from all forms of—
- (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.
- (1) In general
- (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 () after consulting with Tribal governments, applicable political subdivisions of the State, and interested members of the public. 16 U.S.C. 1274(d)
- (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 (), 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— 16 U.S.C. 1283(b)
- grazing permits or leases;
- existing water rights, including the jurisdiction of the State in administering water rights;
- existing points of diversion, including maintenance, repair, or replacement;
- existing water distribution infrastructure, including maintenance, repair, or replacement; and
- valid existing rights for mining and mineral leases.
- In accordance with section 12(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (), 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— 16 U.S.C. 1283(b)
- (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 () (as added by subsection (b)) shall not— 16 U.S.C. 1274(a)
- limit the licensing, development, operation, or maintenance of mining activities or mineral processing facilities outside the boundaries of the applicable covered segment; or
- affect any rights, obligations, privileges, or benefits granted under any permit or approval with respect to such mining activities or mineral processing facilities.
- 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 () (as added by subsection (b)) shall not— 16 U.S.C. 1274(a)
- (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 (; 118 Stat. 3478). Public Law 108–451
- (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 (), 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— 16 U.S.C. 1278
- (i) would enhance the recovery of a species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (), a sensitive species, or a species of greatest conservation need, including the Gila Trout (Oncorhynchus gilae); and 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
- (ii) would not unreasonably diminish the free-flowing nature or outstandingly remarkable values of the covered segment.
- Notwithstanding section 7 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (), 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— 16 U.S.C. 1278
- (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 (); and 16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.
- (ii) the applicable wilderness management plan.
- 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—
- (A) Existing projects
- (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.
- (1) Effect on rights
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 on the map entitled and dated March 2020.
Transfer from USDA Forest Service to National Park ServiceGila Cliff Dwellings National Monument Proposed Boundary Adjustment
- The land referred to in paragraph (1) is the approximately 440 acres of land identified as on the map entitled and dated March 2020.
- (1) In general
- (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) 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) 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.
- (A) In general
- (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) 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) 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.
- (A) In general
- (1) Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument