,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ahci ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #f1 #bjac ,mr4 ,tipton introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to designate certain ,federal land in the ,san ,juan ,national ,forest in the ,state of ,colorado as wilderness1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,hermosa ,creek ,watershed ,protection ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 the ecological health and integrity of the ,hermosa ,creek ,watershed and the economic health of the surrounding communities that rely on the ,watershed are connected2 7#b7 the ,watershed-- 7,a7 is the only area in the ,state that is not a unit of ,national ,wilderness ,preservation ,system to achieve a designation of outstanding waters by the ,state2 7,b7 provides a crucial source of clean drinking water for the residents of the ,animas ,river ,valley and the city of ,durango1 ,colorado2 and 7,c7 provides high quality agricultural water supplies from ,hermosa ,creek and the ,animas ,river2 7#c7 the ,watershed helps ensure the economic prosperity of local communities in the area that depend on the ,watershed for water supplies1 recreation1 hunting1 fishing1 hiking1 biking1 camping1 skiing and related winter activities1 off-road vehicle travel1 scientific research1 mineral extraction1 and sustainable natural resource development2 7#d7 the world-class ,hermosa ,creek trail network contains outstanding single track mountain bike riding1 backcountry hiking1 equestrian riding1 and motorcycle riding2 7#e7 the ,watershed provides visitors the opportunity to enjoy the tremendous scenic1 natural1 cultural1 and recreational resources of the area2 7#f7 ecologically sustainable grazing has been conducted in a manner that has preserved the high quality of the ,watershed2 7#g7 the native ,colorado ,river cutthroat trout fishery located in the ,watershed-- 7,a7 is one of the most important fisheries in the ,state2 7,b7 is crucial for the long-term survival of the cutthroat trout2 and 7,c7 provides an opportunity for anglers to have a catch and release fishery for the cutthroat trout2 7#h7 the work of ,colorado ,parks and ,wildlife to enhance the fishery referred to in paragraph 7#g7 has been a tremendous success and a great example of cooperative conservation efforts to recover an imperiled species of fish2 7#i7 the ,watershed-- 7,a7 provides some of the best backcountry elk habitat in the ,state2 and 7,b7 supports outstanding hunting opportunities2 7#aj7 the large areas of undisturbed forest in the ,watershed 7including some of the best stands of old growth ponderosa pine in the ,state7 provide excellent wildlife habitat and excellent opportunities for solitude and backcountry recreation2 and 7#aa7 designation of the ,hermosa ,creek ,wilderness ,area1 ,watershed ,protection ,area1 and ,special ,management ,area would protect those areas in perpetuity for the benefit of the people of the ,united ,states4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,county ,the term ,county means ,la ,plata ,county1 ,colorado4 7#b7 ,map ,the term ,map means the map entitled ,hermosa ,creek ,proposed ,watershed ,protection ,area1 #bjab and dated ,march #bh1 #bjab4 7#c7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,agriculture4 7#d7 ,special management area ,the term ,special ,management ,area means the ,hermosa ,creek ,special ,management ,area designated by section #e7;a74 7#e7 ,state ,the term ,state means the ,state of ,colorado4 7#f7 ,watershed protection area ,the term ,watershed ,protection ,area means the ,hermosa ,creek ,watershed ,protection ,area designated by section #d7;a74 #d4 ,designation of ,hermosa ,creek ,watershed ,protection ,area 7a7 ,designation ,certain ,federal land in the ,san ,juan ,national ,forest comprising approximately #ajg1hhf acres1 as generally depicted on the ,map1 is designated as the ,hermosa ,creek ,watershed ,protection ,area4 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the ,watershed ,protection ,area are-- 7#a7 to maintain the cultural1 economic1 and ecological health of the ,hermosa ,creek ,watershed and the surrounding communities that rely on the ,watershed2 7#b7 to protect the purity of water that comes from the ,hermosa ,creek ,watershed and supplies residents of the ,animas ,river ,valley and the city of ,durango1 ,colorado1 with clean drinking water2 7#c7 to protect the purity of1 and water supply from1 the ,hermosa ,creek ,watershed for agricultural purposes1 including irrigation and stockwater uses2 7#d7 to enhance the economic prosperity of local communities in the area who depend on the area for water1 recreation1 and sustainable natural resource uses2 7#e7 to protect and provide visitors the opportunity to enjoy the recreational1 geological1 cultural1 natural1 scientific1 recreational1 wildlife1 riparian1 historical1 educational1 and scenic resources of the ,watershed2 7#f7 to provide world class opportunities for skiing1 biking1 hiking1 fishing1 hunting1 horseback riding1 snowmobiling1 motorcycle riding1 snowshoeing1 and camping2 7#g7 to provide for economic and natural resource development 7including sustainable grazing1 vegetation management1 beneficial uses of water1 and mineral extraction7 in a manner consistent with protecting the overall integrity of the ,watershed2 7#h7 to protect the native ,colorado ,river cutthroat trout fishery located in the ,watershed2 7#i7 to designate the ,hermosa ,creek ,wilderness ,area and the ,special ,management ,area2 and 7#aj7 to conserve1 protect1 and manage for a healthy ,hermosa ,creek ,watershed for the long-term ecological integrity of the ,watershed and the long-term economic health of surrounding communities by allowing sustainable economic development and traditional natural resource development in a matter consistent with the purposes described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#i74 #e4 ,designation of ,hermosa ,creek ,special ,management ,area 7a7 ,designation ,subject to valid existing rights1 certain ,federal land in the ,san ,juan ,national ,forest comprising approximately #fh1bhi acres1 as generally depicted on the ,map1 is designated as the ,hermosa ,creek ,special ,management ,area4 7b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of the ,special ,management ,area is to conserve and protect for the benefit of present and future generations the watershed1 geological1 cultural1 natural1 scientific1 recreational1 wildlife1 riparian1 historical1 educational1 and scenic resources and values of the ,special ,management ,area4 7c7 ,administration 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall administer the ,special ,management ,area-- 7,a7 in a manner that-- 7i7 conserves1 protects1 and enhances the resources and values of the ,special ,management ,area described in subsection 7b72 and 7ii7 protects a viable population of ,colorado ,river ,cutthroat ,trout2 and 7,b7 in accordance with-- 7i7 the ,national ,forest ,management ,act of #aigf 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #afjj et seq472 7ii7 this ,act2 and 7iii7 any other applicable laws4 7#b7 ,uses 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall allow only such uses of the ,special ,management ,area that the ,secretary determines would further the purposes described in subsection 7b74 7,b7 ,motorized vehicles 7i7 ,in general ,except as provided in clause 7ii7 and as needed for administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency1 the use of motorized vehicles in the ,special ,management ,area shall be permitted only on roads and trails designated for use by such vehicles by the ,secretary4 7ii7 ,over-snow vehicles ,the ,secretary may authorize the use of snowmobiles and other over-snow vehicles within the ,special ,management ,area-- 7,i7 during periods of adequate snow cover during the winter season2 and 7,,ii7 subject to such terms and conditions as the ,secretary may require4 7,c7 ,grazing ,the ,secretary shall permit grazing within the ,special ,management ,area1 where established before the date of enactment of this ,act subject to all applicable laws 7including regulations7 and ,executive orders4 7,d7 ,prohibited activities ,within the area of the ,special ,management ,area identified on the ,map as ,east ,hermosa ,area the following activities shall be prohibited3 7i7 ,new permanent or temporary road construction or the renovation of existing nonsystem roads1 except as allowed under the final rule entitled ,special ,areas2 ,roadless ,area ,conservation2 ,applicability to the ,national ,forests in ,colorado 7#gg ,fed4 ,reg4 #ciegf 7,july #c1 #bjab774 7ii7 ,projects undertaken for the purpose of harvesting commercial timber 7other than activities relating to the harvest of merchantable products that are byproducts of activities conducted for ecological restoration or to further the purposes described in this ,act74 7d7 ,map and legal description 7#a7 ,in general ,as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall prepare a map and a legal description of the ,special ,management ,area4 7#b7 ,force of law ,the map and legal description prepared under paragraph 7#a7 shall have the same force and effect as if included in this ,act1 except that the ,secretary may correct clerical and typographical errors in the map and legal description4 7#c7 ,public availability ,the map and legal description prepared under paragraph 7#a7 shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the ,forest ,service4 7e7 ,incorporation of acquired land and interests in land ,any land or interest in land that is acquired by the ,united ,states within the boundary of the ,special ,management ,area shall-- 7#a7 become part of the ,special ,management ,area2 7#b7 be withdrawn in accordance with subsection 7h72 and 7#c7 be managed in accordance with-- 7,a7 this ,act2 and 7,b7 any other applicable laws4 7f7 ,fish and wildlife ,nothing in this ,act affects the jurisdiction or responsibility of the ,state with respect to fish and wildlife in the ,state4 7g7 ,state and federal water management ,nothing in this section affects the potential for development1 operation1 or maintenance of a water storage reservoir at the site in the ,special ,management ,area that is identified in-- 7#a7 pages #ag through #bj of the ,statewide ,water ,supply ,initiative studies prepared by the ,colorado ,water ,conservation ,board and issued by the ,state in ,november #bjjd2 and 7#b7 page #bg of the ,colorado ,dam ,site ,inventory prepared by the ,colorado ,water ,conservation ,board and dated ,august #aiif4 7h7 ,withdrawal ,subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,federal land within the ,special ,management ,area is withdrawn from-- 7#a7 all forms of entry1 appropriation1 and disposal under the public land laws2 7#b7 location1 entry1 and patent under the mining laws2 and 7#c7 operation of the mineral leasing1 mineral materials1 and geothermal leasing laws4 7i7 ,adjacent management 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,special ,management ,area designated by subsection 7a7 or the wilderness designated by section #b7;a77#bb7 of the ,colorado ,wilderness ,act of #aiic 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aacb note2 ,public ,law #ajc-gg2 #ajg ,stat4 #gef1 #aad ,stat4 #aiee1 #aaf ,stat4 #ajee7 7as added by section #f7;a77 shall not create a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the ,special ,management ,area or wilderness4 7#b7 ,nonwilderness activities ,the fact that nonwilderness activities or uses can be seen or heard from areas within the wilderness designated by section #b7;a77#bb7 of the ,colorado ,wilderness ,act of #aiic 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aacb note2 ,public ,law #ajc-gg2 #ajg ,stat4 #gef1 #aad ,stat4 #aiee1 #aaf ,stat4 #ajee7 7as added by section #f7;a77 shall not preclude the conduct of the activities or uses outside the boundary of the wilderness4 7j7 ,winter skiing and related winter activities ,nothing in this ,act alters or limits-- 7#a7 a permit held by a ski area2 7#b7 the implementation of the activities governed by a ski area permit2 or 7#c7 the authority of the ,secretary to modify or expand an existing ski area permit4 7k7 ,vegetation management ,nothing in this section prevents the ,secretary from conducting vegetation management projects within the ,special ,management ,area-- 7#a7 subject to-- 7,a7 such reasonable regulations1 policies1 and practices as the ,secretary determines appropriate2 and 7,b7 all applicable laws 7including regulations72 and 7#b7 in a manner consistent with-- 7,a7 the purposes described in subsection 7b72 and 7,b7 this section4 7l7 ,wildfire1 insect1 and disease management ,consistent with this section1 the ,secretary may take any measures that the ,secretary determines to be necessary to control fire1 insects1 and diseases in the ,special ,management ,area1 including1 as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate1 the coordination of the measures with the ,state or a local agency4 7m7 ,management plan ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall develop a management plan for the long-term protection and management of the ,special ,management ,area that-- 7#a7 takes into account public input2 and 7#b7 includes a certification by the ,secretary that there are adequate opportunities in the ,special ,management ,area for each of the recreational opportunities referred to in section #d7;b77#f74 #f4 ,additions to the national wilderness preservation system 7a7 ,designation of wilderness ,section #b7;a7 of the ,colorado ,wilderness ,act of #aiic 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aacb note2 ,public ,law #ajc-gg7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#bb7 ,certain land within the ,san ,juan ,national ,forest which comprise approximately #cg1bcf acres1 as generally depicted on the map entitled ,hermosa ,creek ,proposed ,watershed ,protection ,area1 #bjab and dated ,march #bh1 #bjab1 and which shall be known as the ,hermosa ,creek ,wilderness4 4 7b7 ,effective date ,any reference in the ,wilderness ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aaca et seq47 to the effective date of that ,act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this ,act for purposes of administering the wilderness area designated by section #b7;a77#bb7 of the ,colorado ,wilderness ,act of #aiic 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aacb note2 ,public ,law #ajc-gg2 #ajg ,stat4 #gef1 #aad ,stat4 #aiee1 #aaf ,stat4 #ajee7 7as added by subsection 7a774 7c7 ,fire1 insects1 and diseases ,as provided in section #d7;d77#a7 of the ,wilderness ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aacc7;d77#a771 within the wilderness areas designated by section #b7;a77#bb7 of the ,colorado ,wilderness ,act of #aiic 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aacb note2 ,public ,law #ajc-gg2 #ajg ,stat4 #gef1 #aad ,stat4 #aiee1 #aaf ,stat4 #ajee7 7as added by subsection 7a771 the ,secretary may take any measure that the ,secretary determines to be necessary to control fire1 insects1 and diseases1 subject to such terms and conditions as the ,secretary determines to be appropriate4 #g4 ,durango area mineral withdrawal 7a7 ,withdrawal ,subject to valid existing rights1 the land and mineral interests described in subsection 7b7 are withdrawn from all forms of-- 7#a7 entry1 appropriation1 or disposal under public land laws2 7#b7 location1 entry1 and patent under the mining laws2 and 7#c7 disposition under all laws relating to mineral leasing1 geothermal leasing1 or mineral materials4 7b7 ,description of land and mineral interests ,the land and mineral interests referred to in subsection 7a7 are-- 7#a7 the approximately #ac1jhf acres of ,federal land depicted on the map entitled ,perins ,peak ,animas ,city ,mountain1 ,horse ,gulch and ,lake ,nighthorse mineral withdrawal and dated ,april #e1 #bjac2 and 7#b7 all ,federal mineral interests contained within the boundaries of the map described in paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,buffer ,nothing in this section may require-- 7#a7 the creation of a protective perimeter or buffer area outside the boundaries of the withdrawal area described in subsection 7b72 or 7#b7 any prohibition on activities outside of the boundaries of the withdrawal area described in subsection 7b7 that can be seen or heard from within the boundaries of the withdrawal area4 #h4 ,conveyance of ,bureau of ,land ,management ,land to ,la ,plata ,county 7a7 ,in general ,on the expiration of the permit numbered ,,coc #fdfea 7#ji7 and dated ,february #bd1 #bjji1 the ,secretary of the ,interior shall convey to the ,county1 without consideration and subject to valid existing rights1 all right1 title1 and interest of the ,united ,states in and to the land described in subsection 7b74 7b7 ,description of land ,the land referred to in subsection 7a7 consists of approximately #aaa acres of land managed by the ,bureau of ,land ,management1 ,tres ,rios ,district1 ,colorado1 as generally depicted on the map entitled ,la ,plata ,county ,grandview ,conveyance and dated ,march #bg1 #bjac4 7c7 ,map and legal description 7#a7 ,in general ,as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of the ,interior shall finalize the legal description of the parcel to be conveyed under this section4 7#b7 ,minor errors ,the ,secretary of the ,interior may correct any minor error in-- 7,a7 the map2 or 7,b7 the legal description4 7#c7 ,availability ,the map and legal description shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the ,bureau of ,land ,management4 7d7 ,use of conveyed land ,the land conveyed under this section shall be used only for any public purpose consistent with uses allowed under the ,act of ,june #ad1 #aibf 7commonly known as the ,recreation and ,public ,purposes ,act7 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #hfi et seq474 7e7 ,administrative costs ,the ,secretary of the ,interior shall require the ,county to pay all survey costs and other administrative costs necessary for the preparation and completion of any patents for1 and transfers of title to1 the land described in subsection 7b74 7f7 ,conditions ,as a condition of the conveyance under subsection 7a71 the ,county shall agree in writing to pay any administrative costs associated with the conveyance including the costs of any environmental1 wildlife1 cultural1 or historical resources studies4 #i4 ,release of wilderness study areas 7a7 ,finding ,congress finds that the land described in subsection 7c7 has been adequately studied for wilderness designation under section #fjc of the ,federal ,land ,policy and ,management ,act of #aigf 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #aghb74 7b7 ,release ,the land described in subsection 7c7-- 7#a7 is no longer subject to section #fjc7;c7 of the ,federal ,land ,policy and ,management ,act of #aigf 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #aghb7;c772 and 7#b7 shall be managed in accordance with land management plans adopted under section #bjb of that ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #agab74 7c7 ,description of land ,the land referred to in subsections 7a7 and 7b7 is the approximately #dfa acres of land in the ,west ,needles ,contiguous ,wilderness ,study ,area of ,san ,juan ,county1 ,colorado1 that is depicted on the map entitled ,west ,needles ,contiguous ,wilderness ,study ,area ,release ,area and dated ,april #e1 #bjac4 #aj4 ,administrative costs ,any signs1 fixtures1 alterations1 or additions needed in connection with the designations established in this ,act or for the advertisement of such designations shall be paid for only with non-,federal funds or amounts made available for such purposes in ,acts of appropriation before the date of the enactment of this ,act4