[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H3752-H3754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CRYSTAL RESERVOIR CONVEYANCE ACT
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5911) to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to
the City of Ouray, Colorado, certain land managed by the Forest
Service, together with a reservoir, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5911
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 ``Crystal Reservoir Conveyance
Act''.
SEC. 2. CONVEYANCE OF FEDERAL LAND TO OURAY, COLORADO.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) City.--The term ``City'' means the City of Ouray,
Colorado.
(2) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means--
(A) the site known as ``Crystal Reservoir'' in Ouray
County, Colorado, including--
(i) the lake associated with that reservoir;
(ii) Full Moon Dam and associated facilities, including the
spillway and outlet;
(iii) Full Moon Ditch and Reservoir Number 10; and
(iv) all infrastructure associated with the reservoir; and
(B) the parcel comprising approximately 45 acres of land
underlying and surrounding Crystal Reservoir, as depicted on
the Map, managed by the Forest Service as necessary for
access for repair, operation, and maintenance of Crystal
Reservoir and the features described in clauses (i) through
(iv) of subparagraph (A).
(3) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map prepared by the
Forest Service entitled ``Crystal Reservoir Conveyance'' and
dated June 23, 2025.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest
Service.
(b) Conveyance.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall convey to the
City--
(1) except as otherwise provided in this Act, all right,
title, and interest of the United States in and to the
Federal land; and
(2) all right, title and interest of the United States in
and to any water rights held for use on, appurtenant to, or
otherwise associated with the Federal land, including the
Full Moon Ditch and Reservoir Number 10 water rights
described in the decree of the State of Colorado in Civil
Action No. 1959, dated May 11, 1942.
(c) Requirements.--The conveyance under subsection (b)
shall--
(1) convey fee simple title to the Federal land;
(2) be subject to--
(A) valid existing rights;
(B) the reservation to the United States, in the deed
conveying the Federal land, of easements for each road,
trail, and trailhead in existence on the date of the
conveyance, together with such additional rights as are
reasonably necessary for access, administration, operation,
maintenance, repair, and replacement of those improvements;
and
(C) the reversionary interest described in subsection
(e)(3); and
(3) except as provided in subsection (d)(2), be completed
at no cost to the City.
(d) Costs.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Secretary shall pay all costs associated with the conveyance
under subsection (b).
(2) Survey.--The City shall pay all costs associated with
any surveys conducted for the purpose of accomplishing the
conveyance under subsection (b).
(e) Terms and Conditions.--
(1) In general.--As a condition of the conveyance of the
Federal land under subsection (b), the City shall agree--
(A) effective beginning on the date of the conveyance, to
assume responsibility for the costs of all repairs,
operations, maintenance, replacement, rehabilitation, and
regulatory compliance relating to Full Moon Dam and related
infrastructure, including Full Moon Ditch and Reservoir
Number 10;
(B) to maintain the Federal land in perpetuity as open
space, to be held open--
(i) for public access for recreational activities,
including fishing, except as reasonably necessary for public
safety, resource protection, emergency response, or the
operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, or
rehabilitation of Full Moon Dam, Crystal Reservoir, or
related infrastructure; and
(ii) not subject to any fee for recreational access;
(C) not to conduct on the Federal land any development,
commercial operations, or construction, other than as needed
for the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement,
rehabilitation, public safety, and regulatory compliance for
dam safety of Full Moon Dam, Crystal Reservoir, and related
infrastructure, including Full Moon Ditch and Reservoir
Number 10; and
(D) not to expand the surface footprint of Crystal
Reservoir at normal operating levels (as depicted on the Map)
in a manner that would flood, impair, or harm any wetlands
located upstream of the Federal land, subject to the
condition that deepening Crystal Reservoir in a manner
consistent with the water rights of the City shall otherwise
be allowed.
(2) Necessary action agreement.--The conveyance under
subsection (b) shall be made subject to terms agreed to by
the Secretary and the City that authorize the City to take
such action on the easements described in subsection
(c)(2)(B) as the City determines is reasonable and necessary
for--
(A) public safety;
(B) emergency response; or
(C) the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, or
rehabilitation by the City of Full Moon Dam, Crystal
Reservoir, or related infrastructure.
(3) Other terms and conditions.--The conveyance under
subsection (b) shall be subject to such other terms and
conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(4) Reversionary interest.--
(A) Written notice.--If the Federal land conveyed under
subsection (b) ceases to be used in accordance with the terms
and conditions under this subsection the Secretary shall
submit to the City written notice with respect to such use.
(B) Reversion.--After the 90-day period beginning on the
date written notice is submitted to the City under
subparagraph (A), if the Federal land conveyed under
subsection (b) continues to be used in a manner not in
accordance with the terms and conditions under this
subsection during such period, the Federal land shall revert
to the United States, at the discretion of the Secretary, if
the Secretary determines that reversion is in the best
interest of the United States.
[[Page H3753]]
(f) Easement.--
(1) In general.--After the conveyance under subsection (b),
the Secretary--
(A) shall recognize a perpetual easement for the Red
Mountain Ditch for use by the City--
(i) for the purposes relating to the Ditch specified in the
decrees entitled ``Case No. 1751-B'' and ``Case No.
2013CW3040'' for the State of Colorado, including the
diversion and delivery of water (not to exceed 6 cubic feet
per second) for storage in Crystal Reservoir and subsequent
beneficial use; and
(ii) to access, operate, maintain, repair, replace, or
improve the Ditch and its appurtenances for such purposes;
and
(B) may require special use authorizations for non-routine
maintenance and repairs of Red Mountain Ditch or for the
replacement or improvement of the Ditch.
(2) Red mountain ditch defined.--In this subsection, the
term ``Red Mountain Ditch'' means the Ditch known as Red
Mountain Ditch constructed in or about 1945 located, as of
the date of the enactment of this Act, on lands administered
by the San Juan National Forest and the Grand Mesa,
Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest, in Section 14,
Township 42 North, Range 8 West, New Mexico Principal
Meridian.
(g) Water Rights.--After the conveyance under subsection
(b), the City may use water in Crystal Reservoir for any
beneficial use, subject to applicable water laws of the State
of Colorado.
(h) Map and Legal Description.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall finalize the Map
and a legal description of the Federal land to be conveyed
under subsection (b).
(2) Corrections.--The Secretary and the City, by mutual
agreement, may correct any clerical or typographical errors
in the Map or legal description under paragraph (1).
(3) Map on file.--The Map and legal description under
paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for public
inspection in each appropriate office of the Forest Service.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms.
Stansbury) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
General Leave
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and add
extraneous material to H.R. 5911, the bill now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5911, the Crystal Reservoir
Conveyance Act, which is sponsored by my colleague on the Natural
Resources Committee, Representative Hurd. This is a commonsense bill
that conveys the Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam and Ditch, and
surrounding 45 acres of land from the U.S. Forest Service to the city
of Ouray, Colorado.
This legislation reflects a simple but important idea: When a local
community depends on reliable access to a resource, they should be
empowered to take responsibility for it. This is especially true when
the Federal Government is no longer in a position to manage that
resource effectively.
The city of Ouray is also known as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of
Colorado. It is surrounded by Federal land and deeply tied to the
Crystal Reservoir. That reservoir is not just a scenic feature. It
plays a critical role in wildfire response, supports local agriculture,
sustains recreation, and helps to provide water for the community and
the city's well-known hot springs.
Today, the reservoir is drained. The aging Full Moon Dam was found to
have structural issues. Instead of being quickly repaired to restore
access to the reservoir, the dam has been taken offline. This has left
Ouray without a critical asset.
H.R. 5911 offers a straightforward solution to make the reservoir
operational again by conveying the water infrastructure, water rights,
and surrounding land to the city. In doing so, this legislation allows
the city to step in, repair the Full Moon Dam, and manage the reservoir
in a way that reflects local needs and priorities.
At the same time, this bill includes strong guardrails to ensure the
public interest is protected. The land must remain as open space for
public recreation with continued access to existing roads and trails.
The city must assume full responsibility for operating and maintaining
the dam and ensuring compliance with safety requirements. There are
clear limitations on development and expansion, including provisions to
conserve upstream wetlands.
This transfer of responsibility represents good stewardship of
taxpayer dollars. Instead of the Federal Government taking on
potentially costly repairs to aging infrastructure, this bill allows a
willing and capable partner to assume that burden, ensuring that the
people who depend on the infrastructure have a direct stake in its
future.
More broadly, this legislation reflects the kind of partnerships we
should be encouraging across the country. Communities like Ouray are
not asking for less access or less responsibility. They are asking for
the ability to manage resources that are essential to their
livelihoods, their safety, and their local economies. When we empower
these communities, we get faster action and solutions that are tailored
to realities on the ground.
H.R. 5911 employs common sense to restore a critical resource,
strengthen local water security, support wildfire preparedness, and
maintain public access for recreation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this
fiscally responsible legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. STANSBURY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5911 would authorize the conveyance of the Crystal
Reservoir in Colorado and its surrounding infrastructure from the U.S.
Forest Service to the city of Ouray, Colorado.
In early 2024, the Forest Service was forced to drain this reservoir
because the Full Moon Dam had become structurally compromised. For the
city of Ouray, this was a crisis. The community relies heavily on this
reservoir to maintain its municipal water supply, support vital
wildfire preparedness, and sustain the outdoor recreational economy in
the Red Mountains.
The bill before us provides a straightforward solution: transfer of
the 45-acre area to the city so that Ouray can repair the dam, refill
the reservoir, and secure the water rights necessary to protect its
residents.
{time} 1510
But just as importantly, this legislation demonstrates exactly the
right way to execute a public land conveyance.
This transfer is transparent. It is strictly accountable, and it
guarantees that the land will perpetually benefit the public. The bill
explicitly mandates that the area be maintained as open space in
perpetuity. It guarantees permanent free public access for recreation.
It strictly prohibits commercial development, allowing only for
necessary dam operations that comply with Colorado water law.
To ensure total accountability, the bill includes a strict
reversionary clause that if any of these conditions are violated, the
transfer is canceled.
Because this bill was crafted in the right way, it has earned broad
and enthusiastic local support. It is backed by the city of Ouray, the
towns of Ridgway and Silverton, Ouray and San Juan Counties, and the
Ouray County Sheriff.
It has also earned the endorsement of vital community groups,
including the Colorado River District, the Uncompahgre Watershed
Partnership, the Trust For Public Land restoration, and the Ouray Trail
Group.
Furthermore, this responsible, public-first approach has garnered
strong bipartisan support in the Senate, proving that when we
prioritize transparency and perpetual public benefit, we can build
robust consensus.
H.R. 5911 is a model for how to empower local communities, while
protecting public access and conservation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Hurd), the lead sponsor of this bill
and the chairman on the House Committee on Natural Resources
Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs.
Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.
5911, the Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act.
I will begin by thanking committee staff, whose hard work helped move
this legislation across the finish line.
[[Page H3754]]
At its core, this bill reflects a simple principle: Where there is
strong local support, a clear public purpose, and appropriate
safeguards, decisions should be made by the people closest to the
resource.
That principle is, in fact, at the heart of this legislation.
H.R. 5911 would convey the Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam and
Ditch, and the surrounding land necessary for their operations to the
city of Ouray, along with the associated water rights and
infrastructure.
This request came from the city of Ouray itself. It is not a top-down
proposal. It is a locally driven solution to a local problem.
For generations, Crystal Reservoir has served the community in
multiple ways. It provides water for municipal use and agriculture. It
supports recreation. It supports the city's hot springs, and it serves
as an important resource for wildfire suppression in a region where
that responsibility becomes more and more important each year.
In 2024, structural concerns at Full Moon Dam forced the United
States Forest Service to drain the reservoir. Almost overnight, the
community lost a resource it had relied upon for generations.
Today, the question before us is straightforward: Who is best
positioned to restore, maintain, and manage this resource going
forward?
The city of Ouray has answered that question. The city is prepared to
assume full responsibility for repair, operation, maintenance, and
liability.
The city is prepared to do the work. The city is prepared to bear the
responsibility, and the city is prepared to make the long-term
investments necessary to restore this important asset.
At the same time, this legislation protects the public interest. It
preserves public access. It protects recreational opportunities. It
prohibits commercial development. It includes a reversionary provision
to ensure that the land continues to be used for its intended purpose,
the land remains protected, and the public remains welcome.
The difference is that management moves closer to the people who
depend on this resource every day.
This legislation is also good government. At a time when Federal land
management agencies face substantial deferred maintenance backlogs,
this bill relieves the Federal Government of future operational and
maintenance obligations, while placing the resource in the hands of a
willing and capable local partner.
In the West, we often say that water is life. This bill recognizes
that reality. It respects local stewardship. It respects taxpayers, and
it recognizes that communities willing to assume responsibility should
be empowered to do so.
This is a story about local responsibility. The community is stepping
forward to preserve an important resource, maintain public access, and
ensure that future generations can continue to benefit from it.
Congress should support that effort. Mr. Speaker, I urge my
colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 5911.
Ms. STANSBURY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I am
prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, at its core, this bill is about restoring a public
recreation site that is vital to a nearby community. We have an
opportunity to turn a stalled Federal asset into a functioning local
resource, to replace uncertainty with action, and to show that when
communities are ready to step up, Congress is willing to meet them
there. That is a result that is worth supporting.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5911, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________