Sponsors (6)
The bill permanently protects and preserves public lands and recreational values in the designated area, at the cost of foreclosing some mineral and development opportunities and shifting ongoing stewardship responsibilities (and some economic impacts) onto governments and affected communities.
Rural communities, recreationists, and visitors gain long-term protection from new mining and leasing on the designated acreage, preserving landscapes, recreational access, scenic values, and local water quality.
Residents and outdoor users gain a permanent wilderness designation for ~11,599 acres, ensuring long-term conservation of natural character and recreational opportunities.
Ranchers and livestock operators who had established grazing before enactment can continue grazing, protecting existing ranch livelihoods.
Miners, energy developers, and related local businesses cannot pursue new mining or leasing on the withdrawn acreage, reducing potential jobs and economic activity in the area.
Federal and local governments could lose future royalties or lease revenues if mineral or geothermal resources on the withdrawn land remain undeveloped.
Parties holding later or disputed mineral claims may face legal uncertainty or write-downs on investments if claims are barred by the withdrawal.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Withdraws specified federal land from mineral entry and leasing and designates about 11,599 acres of Forest Service land in New Mexico as a wilderness area.
Withdraws a defined area of federal land shown on a September 11, 2023 map from mineral entry, mining claims, and mineral/geothermal leasing and materials disposal. It also designates about 11,599 acres of Forest Service-managed land in New Mexico as a new wilderness area, to be managed under the Wilderness Act. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to file an official map and legal description with congressional committees and make them available at the Forest Service. Existing valid rights, preexisting grazing, State fish and wildlife jurisdiction, and limited agency actions for wildfire, insects, and disease are preserved as described in the Wilderness Act.
Introduced April 8, 2025 by Teresa Leger Fernandez · Last progress April 8, 2025