What does Preamble of Caja del Rio Protection Act do?

This bill is formally titled '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 means reestablishing native vegetation, blocking vehicular traffic where feasible, and developing a monitoring plan. "Ecological restoration" is defined by reference to section 4 of the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2004. "Indian land" is defined by reference to section 4 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. "Interested Indian Tribe" is defined as a tribe with 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 a community land grant recognized under New Mexico Statutes, with a record of traditional use. "Traditional historic use" refers to habitual, noncommercial uses by land grant-merced or traditional historic communities within the covered area, such as hunting or gathering. The "Secretary" has different meanings depending on the title of the Act.

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

This section establishes the Caja del Rio Special Management Area. The Special Management Area encompasses approximately 67,163 acres of Federal land within the Santa Fe National Forest. The purposes of the Special Management Area include conserving and permanently protecting various values, such as cultural, spiritual, ecological, and wildlife habitat. The Special Management Area aims to enhance opportunities for Indian Tribes to participate in preservation and management efforts.

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 area. The management plan's development requires coordination with various agencies and 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 reduce unauthorized road access and motorized use. Road designation and maintenance will primarily follow a 'Map,' but additional roads may be designated for specific purposes, such as achieving purposes in section 101(b) or accessing critical infrastructure near 'Buckman'. Existing stewardship agreements will be incorporated into the management plan to the extent practicable. Interested Indian Tribes can request to be included as cooperating agencies or 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 publicly available.

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

This section establishes the Caja del Rio National Conservation Area. The Conservation Area will encompass approximately 17,837 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in the State. The purposes of the Conservation Area include conserving cultural, spiritual, religious, scenic, ecological, wildlife habitat, natural, geological, historical, and traditional values. The Conservation Area aims to enhance opportunities for Indian Tribes to participate in preservation and management.

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 must allow uses consistent with cultural, spiritual, and traditional practices, as well as the purposes described in section 201(b). Within three years of the Act's enactment, the Secretary is required to 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. A travel management plan, to be completed within one year of enactment, will restrict motorized vehicle use to specific roads, including CR 55C and Old Route 66, and roads deemed necessary for specific purposes. The Secretary must file maps and legal descriptions of the Conservation Area with the relevant Congressional committees and make them publicly available. The maps and legal descriptions will have the force of law, with the Secretary able to correct errors.

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

This section establishes a process for land exchanges between the Secretary and the Commissioner of Public Lands of New Mexico. The Secretary is directed to attempt to enter into an agreement to exchange Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land for State trust land within 18 months of the Act's enactment. The land to be exchanged is identified jointly by the Secretary and the Commissioner, with acreage and legal descriptions determined by surveys. The exchange must comply with section 206 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The land exchange is subject to valid existing rights and terms established by the Secretary and the State. The value of the land exchanged must be equal, determined by appraisals conducted by an independent, qualified appraiser. If the values are not equal, they must be equalized through cash payments or by adjusting the acreage exchanged. Cash equalization payments received by the Secretary are deposited into the Federal Land Disposal Account and used as specified in the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act. The exchange can only proceed if mutually agreed upon by 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 reasonable 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, with exceptions for administrative purposes, 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 reasonable regulations and consistent with the covered area's purpose. The Secretary can conduct wildfire, insect, and disease control measures in cooperation with other agencies. Ecological restoration may be permitted to protect the area, control pests, and support watersheds and wildlife habitat. The Secretary is authorized to acquire land within or adjacent to covered areas through donation, purchase, or exchange, with specific designations for land acquired within the Santa Fe National Forest. The Secretary must ensure adequate law enforcement presence 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, utilizing various existing authorities like 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 enter into contracts. The Act affirms that nothing diminishes Tribal rights relating to access for spiritual, cultural, medicinal, and traditional food gathering activities. The Secretary must ensure access to covered areas for Tribal cultural and religious purposes, and may temporarily close areas to the general public upon Tribal request to protect these activities. The Act clarifies that it does not alter, modify, or abrogate any rights secured by treaty or other Federal law for Indian Tribes. 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 and 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 generally do not apply to these collection activities, 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 treaty rights of Indian Tribes or land grants. The Act explicitly states it does not constitute a reservation of water rights by the United States, nor does it modify existing water rights or interstate water compacts. The Secretary must adhere to state law when acquiring new water rights within covered areas. Existing rights-of-way for drinking water infrastructure in Santa Fe County, the city of Santa Fe, and the Buckman Direct Diversion Board are unaffected. 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, but 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 references 5 U.S.C. § 552 regarding Freedom of Information Act exemptions.

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Caja del Rio Protection Act

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

Author: Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes the Caja del Rio Special Management Area (approximately 67,163 acres) and the Caja del Rio National Conservation Area (approximately 17,837 acres) in New Mexico, prioritizing cultural, spiritual, ecological, and wildlife conservation.
The bill mandates the development of comprehensive management plans for both the Special Management Area and the Conservation Area, requiring coordination with federal and state agencies, local governments, and Indian Tribes.
It allows for land exchanges between the Bureau of Land Management and the State of New Mexico, ensuring equal value through appraisals and potential cash equalization payments.
Motorized vehicle use within the covered areas will be restricted to designated roads, with exceptions for administrative purposes, emergencies, Tribal practices, and grazing, and new permanent road construction is generally prohibited.
The bill affirms and protects Tribal rights related to access for spiritual, cultural, medicinal, and traditional food gathering activities, and exempts Indigenous knowledge from certain public disclosure requirements.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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