August 6, 2026
Ms. Leger Fernandez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To withdraw certain Federal land in the Rio Chama Watershed area of the State of New Mexico from mineral entry, 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 Chama Basin Watershed Protection Act
.
Sec. 2. Withdrawal of Federal land in Rio Chama Watershed area, New Mexico
(a) Withdrawal
The Federal land located within the boundary area depicted as Rio Chama Watershed
on the map entitled Rio Chama Watershed Draft
and dated April 22, 2026, is withdrawn from all forms of location, entry, and patent under the mining laws.
(b) Effect on non-Federal mineral interests
The withdrawal described in subsection (a) applies only to minerals owned by the United States and nothing in this Act affects, diminishes, impairs, encumbers, or otherwise applies to any right, title, interest, or claim in minerals owned by, held in trust on behalf of, or claimed by—
(1)
a qualified land grant-merced; or
(2)
an Indian Tribe.
(c) Effect on traditional and customary uses
Nothing in this Act prohibits, restricts, or otherwise affects the traditional, customary, or personal use, gathering, or collection of common variety minerals, stone, sand, gravel, clay, adobe, mineral earths, or other similar materials by members of a qualified land grant-merced or acequia community, or by other individuals, for domestic, cultural, religious, ceremonial, subsistence, agricultural, or noncommercial construction purposes, consistent with applicable Federal law and the management of the National Forest System.
(d) Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Indian Tribe
The term Indian Tribe means the governing body of any individually identified and federally recognized Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, affiliated Tribal group, or component reservation included on the most recent list published pursuant to section 104(a) of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131(a)).
(2) Qualified land grant-merced
The term qualified land grant-merced means a community land grant issued under the laws or customs of the Government of Spain or Mexico that—
(A)
is recognized under New Mexico Statutes Chapter 49, Articles 1 and 4 (or a successor statute); and
(B)
(i)
has a record of historical or traditional use on Federal land within the boundary area described in subsection (a); or
(ii)
has a patented exterior boundary that is or previously was located on or adjacent to Federal land within the boundary area described in subsection (a).