[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 61 (Thursday, April 26, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2826-S2830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself and Mr. Udall of New Mexico):
  S. 2468. A bill to establish the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness in the 
State of New Mexico, to provide for the conveyance of certain parcels 
of National Forest System land in the State, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Columbine-
Hondo Wilderness Act which will designate approximately 45,000 acres in 
the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico as wilderness. I 
am pleased that my colleague, Senator Tom Udall, is a cosponsor of this 
legislation.
  Located in the Carson National Forest in Taos County, the Columbine-
Hondo is one of the last remaining segments of this high alpine 
ecosystem to receive permanent wilderness protection. The concept of 
wilderness has deep roots and a long history in the Carson National 
Forest. For example, in the early 1900s, Aldo Leopold, known as the 
father of wilderness, spent his early career in the Forest Service in 
the Carson where he quickly reached the post of Forest Supervisor. 
There is no doubt that he spent much time traveling through this 
landscape that likely helped cultivate his thoughts on the importance 
of wilderness.
  Leopold's concept of wilderness evolved over time and heavily 
influenced policy makers and the growing conservation community. He 
wrote, ``Wilderness is the raw material out of which man has hammered 
the artifact called civilization. . . . To the laborer in the sweat of 
his labor, the raw stuff on his anvil is an adversary to be conquered. 
So was wilderness an adversary to the pioneer. But to the laborer in 
repose, able for the moment to cast a philosophical eye on his world, 
that same raw stuff is something to be loved and cherished, because it 
gives definition and meaning to his life.'' One person who shared that 
definition and meaning with Aldo Leopold was former New Mexico Senator 
Clinton P. Anderson. In fact, due in large part to the conversations he 
had with Leopold forty years earlier, Senator Anderson led the effort 
in Congress to pass the Wilderness Act of 1964.
  In that 1964 Act, the Wheeler Peak Wilderness became the first 
wilderness area in the Carson National Forest, which lies just south of 
the Columbine-Hondo area. Shortly thereafter in 1970, the Taos Pueblo-
Blue Lake Wilderness, adjacent to Wheeler Peak, was established, 
further demonstrating that the idea of wilderness is a valuable concept 
to Indian tribes wishing to protect their most sacred sites for future 
generations. Another decade had to pass before Congress protected 
additional lands in New Mexico as wilderness in 1980, including the 
Latir Peak Wilderness, north of the Columbine-Hondo. In that same Act, 
the Columbine-Hondo was designated as a Wilderness Study Area to allow 
Congress further time to review the merits of designating this area as 
wilderness.
  Aldo Leopold laments in A Sand County Almanac that progress in 
conservation is slow--a fact that hasn't changed much in modern times. 
``Despite nearly a century of propaganda,'' he wrote, ``conservation 
still proceeds at a snail's pace.'' In this context, it is 
unfortunately not surprising that it has taken Congress over 30 years 
to review the merits of the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Study Area.
  But the time to permanently protect the Columbine-Hondo is now before 
us. After many years of hard work by local community leaders, a nearly 
unanimous consensus has formed in support of protecting this landscape 
as wilderness. This is due to the longstanding recognition by the 
surrounding communities and their residents of the benefits that 
wilderness provides them. The mountains provide communities with clean 
air and act as a watershed, providing them with fresh and clean water. 
Sportsmen benefit from the protection of quality habitat that will 
ensure the elk, deer, and antelope found in the mountains and the fish 
in the mountain streams will continue to thrive. Communities like the 
Towns of Taos and Red River and the Villages of Questa and Taos Ski 
Valley can find economic benefits by attracting visitors seeking 
opportunities for solitude and quiet recreation, including hiking, 
birding, horseback riding, and even the occasional llama trekking. And 
community members can create job opportunities through outfitting and 
other service industries to assist residents and visitors alike explore 
these gateways to a more primitive era.

  Wilderness also ensures that the way of life of many local ranchers 
will remain protected from threats like mining or disruptive off-road 
vehicle use. Local mountain biking coalitions have also recognized that 
a balance can be reached to protect wilderness values while making 
practical and common sense boundary adjustments that will help promote 
sustainable mountain biking opportunities in the region.
  During my tenure in the Senate, it has been relatively uncommon to 
find such overwhelming support for the establishment of a new 
wilderness area. I commend the dedication and perseverance exhibited by 
the many local wilderness advocates who have devoted many years to see 
this effort come to fruition. Without their help, it may have taken 
another decade before Congress addressed this long outstanding matter. 
Congress has had 32 years now to review the designation of the 
Columbine-Hondo Wilderness. With such broad support having been 
developed, I urge my colleagues to support this initiative to protect 
this area without further delay.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 2468

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Columbine-
     Hondo Wilderness Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.

    TITLE I--ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION SYSTEM

Sec. 101. Designation of the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness.
Sec. 102. Wheeler Peak Wilderness boundary modification.
Sec. 103. Authorization of appropriations.

[[Page S2829]]

                 TITLE II--LAND CONVEYANCES AND SALES.

Sec. 201. Town of Red River land conveyance.
Sec. 202. Village of Taos Ski Valley land conveyance.
Sec. 203. Authorization of sale of certain National Forest System land.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Red river conveyance map.--The term ``Red River 
     Conveyance Map'' means the map entitled ``Town of Red River 
     Town Site Act Proposal'' and dated April 19, 2012.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture.
       (3) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of New 
     Mexico.
       (4) Town.--The term ``Town'' means the town of Red River, 
     New Mexico.
       (5) Village.--The term ``Village'' means the village of 
     Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico.
       (6) Wilderness.--The term ``Wilderness'' means the 
     Columbine-Hondo Wilderness designated by section 101(a).
       (7) Wilderness map.--The term ``Wilderness Map'' means the 
     map entitled ``Columbine-Hondo, Wheeler Peak Wilderness'' and 
     dated April 19, 2012.

    TITLE I--ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION SYSTEM

     SEC. 101. DESIGNATION OF THE COLUMBINE-HONDO WILDERNESS.

       (a) In General.--In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 
     U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the approximately 45,000 acres of land 
     in the Carson National Forest in the State, as generally 
     depicted on the Wilderness Map, is designated as wilderness 
     and as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation 
     System, which shall be known as the ``Columbine-Hondo 
     Wilderness''.
       (b) Management.--Subject to valid existing rights, the 
     Wilderness shall be administered by the Secretary in 
     accordance with this Act and the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1131 et seq.), except that any reference in that Act to the 
     effective date of that Act shall be considered to be a 
     reference to the date of enactment of this Act.
       (c) Incorporation of Acquired Land and Interests in Land.--
     Any land or interest in land that is within the boundary of 
     the Wilderness that is acquired by the United States shall--
       (1) become part of the Wilderness; and
       (2) be managed in accordance with--
       (A) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.);
       (B) this section; and
       (C) any other applicable laws.
       (d) Grazing.--Grazing of livestock in the Wilderness, where 
     established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall 
     be administered in accordance with--
       (1) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
     1133(d)(4)); and
       (2) the guidelines set forth in the report of the Committee 
     on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress 
     (H. Rept. 96 617).
       (e) Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area.--
       (1) Finding.--Congress finds that, for purposes of section 
     103(a)(2) of Public Law 96 550 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 94 Stat. 
     3223), any Federal land in the Columbine Hondo Wilderness 
     Study Area administered by the Forest Service that is not 
     designated as wilderness by subsection (a) has been 
     adequately reviewed for wilderness designation.
       (2) Applicability.--The Federal land described in paragraph 
     (1) is no longer subject to subsections (a)(2) and (b) of 
     section 103 of Public Law 96 550 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 94 
     Stat. 3223).
       (f) Maps and Legal Descriptions.--
       (1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare maps and 
     legal descriptions of the Wilderness.
       (2) Force of law.--The maps and legal descriptions prepared 
     under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as 
     if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may 
     correct errors in the maps and legal descriptions.
       (3) Public availability.--The maps and legal descriptions 
     prepared under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available 
     for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the 
     Forest Service.
       (g) Fish and Wildlife.--Nothing in this Act affects the 
     jurisdiction of the State with respect to fish and wildlife 
     located on public land in the State, except that the 
     Secretary, after consultation with the New Mexico Department 
     of Game and Fish, may designate zones in which, and establish 
     periods during which, hunting or fishing shall not be allowed 
     for reasons of public safety, administration, the protection 
     for nongame species and associated habitats, or public use 
     and enjoyment.
       (h) Withdrawals.--Subject to valid existing rights, the 
     Federal land described in subsections (a) and (e)(1) and any 
     land or interest in land that is acquired by the United 
     States in the Wilderness after the date of enactment of this 
     Act is withdrawn from--
       (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land 
     laws;
       (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
       (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, 
     and geothermal leasing laws.

     SEC. 102. WHEELER PEAK WILDERNESS BOUNDARY MODIFICATION.

       (a) In General.--The boundary of the Wheeler Peak 
     Wilderness in the State is modified as generally depicted in 
     the Wilderness Map.
       (b) Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, any 
     Federal land added to or excluded from the boundary of the 
     Wheeler Peak Wilderness under subsection (a) is withdrawn 
     from--
       (1) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land 
     laws;
       (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
       (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, 
     and geothermal leasing laws.

     SEC. 103. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

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

                 TITLE II--LAND CONVEYANCES AND SALES.

     SEC. 201. TOWN OF RED RIVER LAND CONVEYANCE.

       (a) In General.--Subject to the provisions of this section, 
     the Secretary shall convey to the Town, without consideration 
     and by quitclaim deed, all right, title, and interest of the 
     United States in and to the 1 or more parcels of Federal land 
     described in subsection (b) for which the Town submits a 
     request to the Secretary by the date that is not later than 1 
     year after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (b) Description of Land.--The parcels of Federal land 
     referred to in subsection (a) are the parcels of National 
     Forest System land (including any improvements to the land) 
     in Taos County, New Mexico, that are identified as ``Parcel 
     1'', ``Parcel 2'', ``Parcel 3'', and ``Parcel 4'' on the Red 
     River Conveyance Map.
       (c) Conditions.--The conveyance under subsection (a) shall 
     be subject to--
       (1) valid existing rights;
       (2) public rights-of-way through ``Parcel 1'', ``Parcel 
     3'', and ``Parcel 4'';
       (3) an administrative right-of-way through ``Parcel 2'' 
     reserved to the United States; and
       (4) such additional terms and conditions as the Secretary 
     may require.
       (d) Use of Land.--As a condition of the conveyance under 
     subsection (a), the Town shall use--
       (1) ``Parcel 1'' for a wastewater treatment plant;
       (2) ``Parcel 2'' for a cemetery;
       (3) ``Parcel ``3'' for a public park; and
       (4) ``Parcel 4'' for a public road.
       (e) Reversion.--In the quitclaim deed to the Town under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide that any parcel 
     of Federal land conveyed to the Town under subsection (a) 
     shall revert to the Secretary, at the election of the 
     Secretary, if the parcel of Federal land is used for a 
     purpose other than the purpose for which the parcel was 
     conveyed, as required under subsection (d).
       (f) Survey; Administrative Costs.--
       (1) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the 
     National Forest System land conveyed under subsection (a) 
     shall be determined by a survey approved by the Secretary.
       (2) Costs.--The Town shall pay the reasonable survey and 
     other administrative costs associated with the conveyance.

     SEC. 202. VILLAGE OF TAOS SKI VALLEY LAND CONVEYANCE.

       (a) In General.--Subject to the provisions of this section, 
     the Secretary shall convey to the Village, without 
     consideration and by quitclaim deed, all right, title, and 
     interest of the United States in and to the parcel of Federal 
     land described in subsection (b) for which the Village 
     submits a request to the Secretary by the date that is not 
     later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (b) Description of Land.--The parcel of Federal land 
     referred to in subsection (a) is the parcel comprising 
     approximately 4.6 acres of National Forest System land 
     (including any improvements to the land) in Taos County 
     generally depicted as ``Parcel 1'' on the map entitled 
     ``Village of Taos Ski Valley Town Site Act Proposal'' and 
     dated April 19, 2012.
       (c) Conditions.--The conveyance under subsection (a) shall 
     be subject to--
       (1) valid existing rights;
       (2) an administrative right-of-way through the parcel of 
     Federal land described in subsection (b) reserved to the 
     United States; and
       (3) such additional terms and conditions as the Secretary 
     may require.
       (d) Use of Land.--As a condition of the conveyance under 
     subsection (a), the Village shall use the parcel of Federal 
     land described in subsection (b) for a wastewater treatment 
     plant.
       (e) Reversion.--In the quitclaim deed to the Village, the 
     Secretary shall provide that the parcel of Federal land 
     conveyed to the Village under subsection (a) shall revert to 
     the Secretary, at the election of the Secretary, if the 
     parcel of Federal land is used for a purpose other than the 
     purpose for which the parcel was conveyed, as described in 
     subsection (d).
       (f) Survey; Administrative Costs.--
       (1) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the 
     National Forest System land conveyed under subsection (a) 
     shall be determined by a survey approved by the Secretary.
       (2) Costs.--The Village shall pay the reasonable survey and 
     other administrative costs associated with the conveyance.

     SEC. 203. AUTHORIZATION OF SALE OF CERTAIN NATIONAL FOREST 
                   SYSTEM LAND.

       (a) In General.--Subject to the provisions of this section 
     and in exchange for consideration in an amount that is equal 
     to the fair

[[Page S2830]]

     market value of the applicable parcel of National Forest 
     System land, the Secretary may convey--
       (1) to the holder of the permit numbered ``QUE302101'' for 
     use of the parcel, the parcel of National Forest System land 
     comprising approximately 0.2 acres that is generally depicted 
     as ``Parcel 5'' on the Red River Conveyance Map; and
       (2) to the owner of the private property adjacent to the 
     parcel, the parcel of National Forest System land comprising 
     approximately 0.1 acres that is generally depicted as 
     ``Parcel 6'' on the Red River Conveyance Map.
       (b) Disposition of Proceeds.--Any amounts received by the 
     Secretary as consideration for a conveyance under subsection 
     (a) shall be--
       (1) deposited in the fund established under Public Law 90 
     171 (commonly known as the ``Sisk Act'') (16 U.S.C. 484a); 
     and
       (2) available to the Secretary, without further 
     appropriation and until expended, for the acquisition of land 
     or interests in land in the Carson National Forest.
       (c) Conditions.--The conveyance under subsection (a) shall 
     be subject to--
       (1) valid existing rights; and
       (2) such additional terms and conditions as the Secretary 
     may require.
       (d) Survey; Administrative Costs.--
       (1) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the 
     National Forest System land conveyed under subsection (a) 
     shall be determined by a survey approved by the Secretary.
       (2) Costs.--The reasonable survey and other administrative 
     costs associated with the conveyance shall be paid by the 
     holder of the permit or the owner of the private property, as 
     applicable.
                                 ______