Bill · H.R. 2727· House(119-HR-2727)
Pecos Watershed Protection Act
- Introduced
- 4/8/2025
- Last activity
- 4/8/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Teresa Leger Fernandez
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Pecos Watershed Protection Act aims to withdraw certain Federal land in the Pecos Watershed area of New Mexico from mineral entry. This withdrawal covers various forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under public land laws, as well as mining and geothermal leasing. Additionally, the bill designates approximately 11,599 acres of land managed by the Forest Service as the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area. This new wilderness area will become a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Secretary of Agriculture will administer this area in accordance with the Wilderness Act.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
The bill provides significant new protections for the Pecos Watershed and Thompson Peak through land withdrawal and wilderness designation.
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?+5
The bill restricts mineral and geothermal leasing, which can reduce fossil fuel extraction potential.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+5
The bill establishes a wilderness area with specific administrative guidelines for the Secretary of Agriculture.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
The withdrawal limits mineral and geothermal leasing opportunities which may impact businesses in those sectors.
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?-2
The withdrawal includes geothermal leasing, which may restrict renewable energy development in the area.
Is this likely to grow the economy?-2
The restriction on mineral and geothermal leasing may limit potential economic development and resource extraction in the area.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Land from Mineral Entry: The bill withdraws Federal land from all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under public land laws, as well as location, entry, and patent under mining laws, and disposition under laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials (Section 2).
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Establishment of Wilderness Area: Approximately 11,599 acres of land managed by the Forest Service will be designated as the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area and added to the National Wilderness Preservation System (Section 3(b)).
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Continued Livestock Grazing: The Secretary is directed to allow the continuation of livestock grazing in the wilderness area if it was established before the date of the Act's enactment (Section 3(d)(4)).
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Environmental Management: The Secretary is authorized to carry out necessary measures to control fire, insects, or diseases within the wilderness area (Section 3(d)(5)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Land Use: The Federal land is withdrawn from entry, appropriation, or disposal under public land laws, as well as location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and disposition under laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials (Section 2).
-
Restrictions on Land Use: The wilderness area is withdrawn from entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws, as well as location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and disposition under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials (Section 3(f)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+8Improves Public Land Management+5Reduces Fossil Fuel Production+5Reduces Carbon Emissions+2Increases Renewable Energy Investment-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth-2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+3Good For Rural Residents+1Good For Business Owners-3
- 1/15/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/26/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
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Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
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Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
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