Pecos Watershed Protection Act

Summary

Withdraws about 11,599 acres of U.S. Forest Service land in New Mexico from mining, mineral leasing, and public-land disposal and formally designates that area as the Thompson Peak Wilderness, adding it to the National Wilderness Preservation System. It requires the Agriculture Secretary to file maps and legal descriptions, preserves state fish and wildlife authority, allows pre-existing grazing and certain wildfire/insect/disease responses, and applies mineral withdrawal protections to the mapped federal lands (subject to valid existing rights).

• Designates ~11,599 acres of National Forest land in New Mexico as Thompson Peak Wilderness and adds it to the National Wilderness Preservation System.
• Withdraws the mapped federal land from public land disposals, mining claims, and mineral/geothermal leasing, subject to valid existing rights.
• Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to file official maps and legal descriptions with Congress and make them publicly available.
• Administration follows the Wilderness Act; State fish and wildlife authority is preserved.
• Pre-existing grazing is allowed to continue under Wilderness Act rules and committee guidance.
• Permits wildfire, insect, and disease control consistent with existing wilderness law.
• Subsequently acquired lands within the mapped boundaries are added automatically to the wilderness area.
• Does not appropriate new funds or create new federal spending programs; primary effect is land use and protection.