Bill · S. 1319· Senate(119-S-1319)
Pecos Watershed Protection Act
- Introduced
- 4/8/2025
- Last activity
- 12/2/2025 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-237.
- Sponsored by
- Martin Heinrich
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Pecos Watershed Protection Act," aims to withdraw specific Federal land in the Pecos Watershed area of New Mexico from mineral entry. It seeks to prohibit various forms of land entry, appropriation, disposal, and mineral or 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 area will become part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Secretary of Agriculture will administer this wilderness area according to the Wilderness Act.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
The bill preserves the Pecos Watershed by designating a new wilderness area and withdrawing lands from mineral entry.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+6
The bill provides specific management guidelines for the newly designated Thompson Peak Wilderness Area.
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?+5
The bill prohibits future mineral and geothermal leasing in the specified area.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-3
Mining and geothermal businesses will be restricted from these lands.
Is this likely to grow the economy?-2
The bill restricts mineral and geothermal leasing which may limit local resource-based economic activity.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Establishment of a Wilderness Area: The bill designates approximately 11,599 acres of land as the "Thompson Peak Wilderness Area," making it a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System (Section 3(b)).
-
Continued Livestock Grazing: The Secretary is directed to allow the continuation of livestock grazing in the wilderness area if it was established before the bill's enactment (Section 3(d)(4)).
-
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
- Restriction of Mineral and Geothermal Activities: The bill withdraws Federal land from all forms of entry, appropriation, disposal, and location under mining laws, as well as all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing (Section 2(b) and 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+6Reduces Fossil Fuel Production+5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth-2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+2Good For Business Owners-3
- 12/2/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-237.
- 4/8/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico