[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1734 Introduced in Senate (IS)]








109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1734

  To establish the Valle Vidal National Preserve in the State of New 
                                Mexico.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 20, 2005

 Mr. Bingaman introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
       referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To establish the Valle Vidal National Preserve in the State of New 
                                Mexico.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Valle Vidal Preservation Act.''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest 
        comprises approximately 100,000 acres of some of the finest 
        scenic, wildlife, and outdoor recreational resources in New 
        Mexico;
            (2) the Valle Vidal provides a home for a spectacular array 
        of game and nongame wildlife, in a setting that uniquely allows 
        for close public interaction;
            (3) the Valle Vidal provides an unparalleled opportunity to 
        hunt world-class trophy elk among New Mexico's largest herd, 
        drawing hunters from throughout the State, region, and the 
        United States;
            (4) the Valle Vidal is an important component of efforts to 
        recover the native Rio Grande cutthroat trout and provides 
        miles of fish habitat prized by anglers;
            (5) the open meadows and sweeping vistas of the Valle Vidal 
        are extraordinary for the region, allowing visitors to take in 
        the expansive spaces filled with tall grass and thick patches 
        of pine, spruce, and aspen;
            (6) the Valle Vidal comprises the headwaters of the Rio 
        Costilla in the Rio Grande watershed, and numerous streams in 
        the Canadian River drainage, making it an important source of 
        fresh water for human and wildlife needs in New Mexico;
            (7) the Valle Vidal is an important part of New Mexico's 
        ranching heritage and the local ranchers have worked 
        cooperatively with the Forest Service to establish a grazing 
        program within the Valle Vidal that meets the needs of the 
        ranchers, the wildlife, and visitors with notable sensitivity 
        to protection of the natural resources;
            (8) the wilds of the Valle Vidal provide an outstanding 
        backcountry experience for enthusiasts, including the Scouts of 
        the nearby Philmont Scout Ranch; and
            (9) for these and other reasons, the Valle Vidal is 
        treasured as a special place for New Mexicans justifying 
        enhanced protection so future generations may enjoy the Valle 
        Vidal.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Preserve.--The term ``Preserve'' means the Valle Vidal 
        National Preserve.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.
            (3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of New 
        Mexico.

SEC. 4. VALLE VIDAL NATIONAL PRESERVE, NEW MEXICO.

    (a) Establishment.--To preserve the wildlife, scenic, watershed, 
recreational, geological, educational, and scientific values of the 
Valle Vidal and to secure now and for future generations the 
opportunity to experience and enjoy the wonders of the area, there is 
established the Valle Vidal National Preserve.
    (b) Boundaries.--The boundaries of the Preserve shall be those of 
the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest in existence on the 
date of enactment of this Act.
    (c) Purpose.--The purpose of the Preserve is to protect and enhance 
the values described in subsection (a) for current and future 
generations.
    (d) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, the Federal land 
and interests in land included within the Preserve are withdrawn from--
            (1) all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under 
        the public land laws;
            (2) location, entry, and patent under the public land 
        mining laws; and
            (3) operation of the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing 
        laws and the mineral materials laws.
    (e) Fish and Game.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        nothing in this title affects the responsibilities of the State 
        with respect to fish and wildlife, including the regulation of 
        hunting, fishing, and trapping within the Preserve.
            (2) No hunting, fishing, or trapping zones or periods.--The 
        Secretary may, in consultation with the State, designate zones 
        where, and establish periods when, no hunting, fishing, or 
        trapping shall be permitted in the Preserve for reasons of 
        public safety, administration, the protection of nongame 
        species and their habitats, or public use and enjoyment.
    (f) Management.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall manage the Preserve in 
        a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the resources 
        and values of the Preserve (including the resources and values 
        described in subsection (a)) pursuant to the laws applicable to 
        the National Forests and other applicable law, including this 
        Act.
            (2) Use.--The Secretary shall allow only such uses of the 
        Preserve as the Secretary finds will further the purposes for 
        which the Preserve is established.
            (3) Limitation on use of motorized vehicles.--Unless needed 
        for administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency (as 
        determined by the Secretary), use of a motorized vehicle in the 
        Preserve shall be permitted only on roads specifically 
        designated for such use by the Secretary.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act.
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