II 

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. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Valle Vidal Preserva5 tion Act.’’. 

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

7 Congress finds that— 

8 (1) the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National 

9 Forest comprises approximately 100,000 acres of 

10 some of the finest scenic, wildlife, and outdoor rec11 reational resources in New Mexico; 
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1 (2) the Valle Vidal provides a home for a spec2 tacular array of game and nongame wildlife, in a 

3 setting that uniquely allows for close public inter4 action; 

5 (3) the Valle Vidal provides an unparalleled op6 portunity to hunt world-class trophy elk among New 

7 Mexico’s largest herd, drawing hunters from 

8 throughout the State, region, and the United States; 

9 (4) the Valle Vidal is an important component 

10 of efforts to recover the native Rio Grande cutthroat 

11 trout and provides miles of fish habitat prized by an12 glers; 

13 (5) the open meadows and sweeping vistas of 

14 the Valle Vidal are extraordinary for the region, al15 lowing visitors to take in the expansive spaces filled 

16 with tall grass and thick patches of pine, spruce, 

17 and aspen; 

18 (6) the Valle Vidal comprises the headwaters of 

19 the Rio Costilla in the Rio Grande watershed, and 

20 numerous streams in the Canadian River drainage, 

21 making it an important source of fresh water for 

22 human and wildlife needs in New Mexico; 

23 (7) the Valle Vidal is an important part of New 

24 Mexico’s ranching heritage and the local ranchers 

25 have worked cooperatively with the Forest Service to 
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1 establish a grazing program within the Valle Vidal 

2 that meets the needs of the ranchers, the wildlife, 

3 and visitors with notable sensitivity to protection of 

4 the natural resources; 

5 (8) the wilds of the Valle Vidal provide an out6 standing backcountry experience for enthusiasts, in7 cluding the Scouts of the nearby Philmont Scout 

8 Ranch; and 

9 (9) for these and other reasons, the Valle Vidal 

10 is treasured as a special place for New Mexicans jus11 tifying enhanced protection so future generations 

12 may enjoy the Valle Vidal. 

13 SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 

14 In this Act: 

15 (1) PRESERVE.—The term ‘‘Preserve’’ means 

16 the Valle Vidal National Preserve. 

17 (2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 

18 the Secretary of Agriculture. 

19 (3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State 

20 of New Mexico. 

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

22 (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—To preserve the wildlife, sce23 nic, watershed, recreational, geological, educational, and 

24 scientific values of the Valle Vidal and to secure now and 

25 for future generations the opportunity to experience and 
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1 enjoy the wonders of the area, there is established the 

2 Valle Vidal National Preserve. 

3 (b) BOUNDARIES.—The boundaries of the Preserve 

4 shall be those of the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson Na5 tional Forest in existence on the date of enactment of this 

6 Act. 

7 (c) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Preserve is to pro8 tect and enhance the values described in subsection (a) 

9 for current and future generations. 

10 (d) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, 

11 the Federal land and interests in land included within the 

12 Preserve are withdrawn from— 

13 (1) all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal 

14 under the public land laws; 

15 (2) location, entry, and patent under the public 

16 land mining laws; and 

17 (3) operation of the mineral leasing and geo18 thermal leasing laws and the mineral materials laws. 

19 (e) FISH AND GAME.— 

20 (1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para21 graph (2), nothing in this title affects the respon22 sibilities of the State with respect to fish and wild23 life, including the regulation of hunting, fishing, and 

24 trapping within the Preserve. 
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1 (2) NO HUNTING, FISHING, OR TRAPPING

2 ZONES OR PERIODS.—The Secretary may, in con3 sultation with the State, designate zones where, and 

4 establish periods when, no hunting, fishing, or trap5 ping shall be permitted in the Preserve for reasons 

6 of public safety, administration, the protection of 

7 nongame species and their habitats, or public use 

8 and enjoyment. 

9 (f) MANAGEMENT.— 

10 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall manage 

11 the Preserve in a manner that conserves, protects, 

12 and enhances the resources and values of the Pre13 serve (including the resources and values described 

14 in subsection (a)) pursuant to the laws applicable to 

15 the National Forests and other applicable law, in16 cluding this Act. 

17 (2) USE.—The Secretary shall allow only such 

18 uses of the Preserve as the Secretary finds will fur19 ther the purposes for which the Preserve is estab20 lished. 

21 (3) LIMITATION ON USE OF MOTORIZED VEHI22 CLES.—Unless needed for administrative purposes 

23 or to respond to an emergency (as determined by the 

24 Secretary), use of a motorized vehicle in the Pre-
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1 serve shall be permitted only on roads specifically 

2 designated for such use by the Secretary. 

3 SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

4 There are authorized to be appropriated such sums 

5 as are necessary to carry out this Act. 

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