What does Preamble of Caja del Rio Protection Act do?

This bill aims to establish the Caja del Rio Special Management Area and Caja del Rio National Conservation Area in New Mexico. The bill's stated purpose is 'to establish the Caja del Rio Special Management Area and Caja del Rio National Conservation Area in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.'

What does DEFINITIONS. of Caja del Rio Protection Act do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. "Conservation Area" is defined as the Caja del Rio National Conservation Area established by section 201(a)(1). "Covered area" includes the Conservation Area and the Special Management Area. "Decommission" of a road involves reestablishing native vegetation, blocking vehicular traffic where feasible, and developing a monitoring and response plan. "Ecological restoration" is defined by reference to section 4 of the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2004. "Indian Tribe" refers to the governing body of recognized tribes, bands, nations, etc., as listed in the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994. An "Interested Indian Tribe" has historic, cultural, or religious connections to the covered area, a former reservation within it, or treaty rights associated with it. "Land grant-merced" refers to communities with land grants issued under Spanish or Mexican law, recognized under New Mexico Statutes, and with a record of traditional use. The "Map" is specifically defined as the map entitled “The Caja del Rio Special management Area and National Conservation Area” dated April 20, 2026. The "Secretary" is designated differently depending on the title of the Act, and the land jurisdiction. "Traditional historic community" meets the definition in New Mexico Statutes and has a record of traditional historic use in the covered area. "Traditional historic use" includes habitual noncommercial uses like hunting, grazing, and gathering, or other sustainable uses agreed upon in writing by the Secretary and the community.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CAJA DEL RIO SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA. of Caja del Rio Protection Act do?

The Caja del Rio Special Management Area is established in the State. The area consists of approximately 67,163 acres of Federal land in the Santa Fe National Forest. The purposes of the area include conserving cultural, spiritual, and ecological values. The area aims to enhance opportunities for Indian Tribes to engage in preservation and management.

What does MANAGEMENT OF THE SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA. of Caja del Rio Protection Act do?

This section outlines the management of the Special Management Area. The Secretary is responsible for managing the area subject to existing rights, this Act, other applicable laws, and in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances its resources. Allowed uses within the Special Management Area must be consistent with cultural, spiritual, religious, medicinal, and traditional historic practices, as well as the purposes described in section 101(b). Within three years of the Act's enactment, the Secretary must develop a comprehensive management plan for the long-term management of the Special Management Area. The management plan's development requires coordination with various entities, including the Secretary of the Interior, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the State, local governments, and Indian Tribes. The plan must include a travel management plan to decrease unauthorized road access and motorized use. Road designations and maintenance will primarily follow a map, but the Secretary can designate additional roads for specific purposes, such as achieving section 101(b) purposes or accommodating access near 'Buckman'. Existing stewardship agreements should be incorporated into the management plan to the extent practicable. Interested Indian Tribes can request to be included as cooperating agencies or to have Indigenous knowledge incorporated into the plan. Maps and legal descriptions of the Special Management Area will be filed with the relevant Congressional committees and made available for public inspection.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CAJA DEL RIO NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREA. of Caja del Rio Protection Act do?

The Caja del Rio National Conservation Area is established in the State The Conservation Area consists of approximately 17,837 acres of Bureau of Land Management land The purposes of the Conservation Area include conserving cultural, spiritual, and ecological values

What does MANAGEMENT OF THE CONSERVATION AREA. of Caja del Rio Protection Act do?

This section outlines the management of the Conservation Area, requiring the Secretary to manage it subject to existing rights, applicable laws, and as part of the National Landscape Conservation System. The Secretary is authorized to allow uses consistent with cultural, spiritual, religious, medicinal, or traditional historic practices, and the purposes described in section 201(b). Within three years of the Act's enactment, the Secretary must develop a comprehensive management plan for the Conservation Area and the withdrawal area. The management plan's development requires coordination with various entities including the Secretary of Agriculture, the National Park Service, the Forest Service, the State, local governments, and consultation with Indian Tribes. The Secretary should incorporate existing stewardship agreements into the management plan where practicable. The Secretary must prepare a travel management plan within one year of enactment to reduce unauthorized road access and motorized use, designating motorized vehicle use on specific roads. Maps and legal descriptions of the Conservation Area must be filed with the relevant Congressional committees and made publicly available. The maps and legal descriptions filed will have the force of law, with the Secretary able to correct errors.

What does LAND EXCHANGES. of Caja del Rio Protection Act do?

The Secretary shall attempt to enter into a land exchange agreement with New Mexico by a certain date. The exchange involves Bureau of Land Management land and State trust land. The exchange is subject to valid existing rights and terms established by the Secretary and the State. The value of the lands to be exchanged must be equal or equalized through cash payments or acreage adjustments. The exchange requires mutual agreement between the Secretary and the State.

What does MANAGEMENT OF COVERED AREAS. of Caja del Rio Protection Act do?

This section outlines management practices for 'covered areas,' restricting new permanent road construction unless specifically designated. Temporary road construction is limited to administrative purposes, health and safety, fire control, cultural uses, or access to private property. Roads not designated in a map or travel management plan must be decommissioned within three years of the Act's enactment. Motorized vehicle use is generally restricted to designated roads within covered areas, with exceptions for administrative needs, emergencies, Tribal practices, and grazing. Federal land within covered areas is withdrawn from various forms of entry, appropriation, disposal, mining, and mineral leasing. Grazing of livestock previously established is permitted to continue under regulations and consistent with the covered area's purposes. The Secretary is authorized to conduct wildfire, insect, and disease control measures. Ecological restoration may be permitted to protect the covered area, control pests, and support watersheds and wildlife habitat. The Secretary can acquire land within or adjacent to covered areas through donation, purchase, or exchange, with acquired land becoming part of either a Special Management Area or a Conservation Area. The Secretary must ensure adequate law enforcement within covered areas and may consider increased penalties for unauthorized activities.

What does TRIBAL CONTRACTING AND PROTECTED RIGHTS. of Caja del Rio Protection Act do?

This section outlines provisions related to tribal contracting and protected rights within covered areas. The Secretary is authorized to contract with Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations to perform administrative or management functions using various existing authorities, including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. The Secretary may provide technical and financial assistance to Tribes to improve their capacity to develop and carry out contracts. The Act clarifies that it does not diminish Tribal rights relating to access to covered areas for spiritual, cultural, medicinal, and traditional food gathering activities. The Secretary is required to ensure access to covered areas for traditional cultural and religious purposes, and may temporarily close areas to the general public upon request from a Tribe to protect such activities. The Act states that it does not alter, modify, enlarge, diminish, or abrogate rights secured by treaty or other Federal law. The designation of a covered area does not affect legitimate land claims secured by treaty or Act of Congress. Enrolled members of culturally affiliated Tribes are permitted to collect plants and mineral resources within covered areas or Bandelier National Monument for noncommercial traditional and cultural uses, subject to certain conditions and limitations. Existing quantity limitations from the National Park Service, Forest Service, or Bureau of Land Management do not apply to collection activities under this section, but the Secretary may impose limitations if necessary to protect resources.

What does EFFECT. of Caja del Rio Protection Act do?

This section clarifies that the Act does not affect existing treaty rights of Indian Tribes or land grants. The Act explicitly states that it does not constitute a reservation of water rights by the United States, nor does it modify existing water rights or interstate water compacts. To obtain new water rights, the Secretary must adhere to applicable state laws. Existing rights-of-way for drinking water infrastructure in Santa Fe County, the city of Santa Fe, and the Buckman Direct Diversion Board are protected. The Secretary may grant new permits or rights-of-way to Santa Fe County or the city of Santa Fe for water supply infrastructure within one mile of the Buckman historic settlement area. Any water infrastructure work must align with the purposes of this Act. The State retains jurisdiction over fish and wildlife on public land, though the Secretary can designate hunting-restricted zones after consulting with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. The Secretary is prohibited from disclosing Indigenous knowledge or information about sacred sites if it could harm cultural resources, invade privacy, or impede traditional activities, and such information is exempt from FOIA. This section establishes an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act for certain information related to the covered area.

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Caja del Rio Protection Act

Last updated: 4/30/2026 · Introduced: 4/30/2026

Author: Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes the Caja del Rio Special Management Area and Caja del Rio National Conservation Area in New Mexico, encompassing approximately 67,163 and 17,837 acres respectively.
The bill mandates the development of comprehensive management plans for both the Special Management Area and the Conservation Area, requiring coordination with various federal and state agencies, as well as Indian Tribes.
Road designations and motorized vehicle use within the covered areas will be restricted to designated roads, with unauthorized roads subject to decommissioning.
The Act clarifies and protects traditional cultural and religious practices of affiliated Indian Tribes within the covered areas, including the collection of plants and mineral resources for noncommercial uses.
Federal land within the covered areas is withdrawn from activities like mining, mineral leasing, and disposal, while existing grazing rights and water infrastructure rights are protected.

119th Congressin committeeS. 4458(In Committee)Official page

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