Establishment of fort stanton-snowy river cave national conservation area

(a)

Establishment; Purposes

There is established the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area in Lincoln County, New Mexico, to protect, conserve, and enhance the unique and nationally important historic, cultural, scientific, archaeological, natural, and educational subterranean cave resources of the Fort Stanton-Snowy River cave system. (b)

Area Included

The Conservation Area shall include the area within the boundaries depicted on the map titled Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area and dated January 25, 2007. (c)

Map and Legal Description

(1)

In general

As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a map and legal description of the Conservation Area. (2)

Effect

The map and legal description of the Conservation Area shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct any minor errors in the map and legal description. (3)

Public availability

The map and legal description of the Conservation Area shall be available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management.

Management of the conservation area

(a)

Management

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall manage the Conservation Area— (A)in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the resources and values of the Conservation Area, including the resources and values described in section 3(a); and (B)in accordance with— (i)this Act; (ii)the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); and (iii)any other applicable laws. (2)

Uses

The Secretary shall only allow uses of the Conservation Area that are consistent with the protection of the cave resources. (3)

Requirements

In administering the Conservation Area, the Secretary shall provide for— (A)the conservation and protection of the natural and unique features and environs for scientific, educational, and other appropriate public uses of the Conservation Area; (B)public access, as appropriate, while providing for the protection of the cave resources and for public safety; (C)the continuation of other existing uses or other new uses of the Conservation Area that do not impair the purposes for which the Conservation Area is established; (D)management of the surface area of the Conservation Area in accordance with the Fort Stanton Area of Critical Environmental Concern Final Activity Plan dated March, 2001, or any amendments to the plan, consistent with this Act; and (E)scientific investigation and research opportunities within the Conservation Area, including through partnerships with colleges, universities, schools, scientific institutions, researchers, and scientists to conduct research and provide educational and interpretive services within the Conservation Area. (b)

Withdrawals

Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal surface and subsurface land within the Conservation Area and all land and interests in the land that are acquired by the United States after the date of enactment of this Act for inclusion in the Conservation Area, are withdrawn from— (1)all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under the general land laws; (2)location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3)operation under the mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws. (c)

Management Plan

(1)

In general

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term management of the Conservation Area. (2)

Purposes

The management plan shall— (A)describe the appropriate uses and management of the Conservation Area; (B)incorporate, as appropriate, decisions contained in any other management or activity plan for the land within or adjacent to the Conservation Area; (C)take into consideration any information developed in studies of the land and resources within or adjacent to the Conservation Area; and (D)provide for a cooperative agreement with Lincoln County, New Mexico, to address the historical involvement of the local community in the interpretation and protection of the resources of the Conservation Area. (d)

Activities Outside Conservation Area

The establishment of the Conservation Area shall not— (1)create a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the Conservation Area; or (2)preclude uses or activities outside the Conservation Area that are permitted under other applicable laws, even if the uses or activities are prohibited within the Conservation Area. (e)

Research and Interpretive Facilities

(1)

In general

The Secretary may establish facilities for— (A)the conduct of scientific research; and (B)the interpretation of the historical, cultural, scientific, archaeological, natural, and educational resources of the Conservation Area. (2)

Cooperative agreements

The Secretary may, in a manner consistent with this Act, enter into cooperative agreements with the State of New Mexico and other institutions and organizations to carry out the purposes of this Act. (f)

Water Rights

Nothing in this Act constitutes an express or implied reservation of any water right.