(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may acquire 
any land or interest in land within the boundaries of 
an area described in subsection (b)(1) by donation, 
purchase from a willing seller, or exchange. 
(2) MANAGEMENT.—Any land or interest in 
land acquired under paragraph (1) shall be incor-
porated into, and administered as a part of, the wil-
derness area or Wildlife Conservation Area, as appli-
cable, in which the land or interest in land is lo-
cated. 
(f) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, 
the areas described in subsection (b)(1) are withdrawn 
from— 
(1) entry, appropriation, and disposal under the 
public land laws; 
(2) location, entry, and patent under mining 
laws; and 
(3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral 
materials, and geothermal leasing laws. 
(g) MILITARY OVERFLIGHTS.—Nothing in this title 
or an amendment made by this title restricts or pre-
cludes— 
(1) any low-level overflight of military aircraft 
over any area subject to this title or an amendment 
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made by this title, including military overflights that 
can be seen, heard, or detected within such an area; 
(2) flight testing or evaluation over an area de-
scribed in paragraph (1); or 
(3) the use or establishment of— 
(A) any new unit of special use airspace 
over an area described in paragraph (1); or 
(B) any military flight training or trans-
portation over such an area. 
(h) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that military aviation training on Federal public 
land in the State, including the training conducted at the 
High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training 
Site, is critical to the national security of the United 
States and the readiness of the Armed Forces. 
TITLE II—SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS 
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) COVERED LAND.—The term ‘‘covered land’’ 
means— 
(A) land designated as wilderness under 
paragraphs (27) through (29) of section 2(a) of 
the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 (16 
U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 103–77) (as 
added by section 202); and 
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(B) a Special Management Area. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Agriculture. 
(3) SPECIAL
MANAGEMENT
AREA.—The term 
‘‘Special Management Area’’ means each of— 
(A) the Sheep Mountain Special Manage-
ment Area designated by section 203(a)(1); and 
(B) the Liberty Bell East Special Manage-
ment Area designated by section 203(a)(2). 
SEC. 202. ADDITIONS TO NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESER-
VATION SYSTEM. 
Section 2(a) of the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 
(16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 103–77) (as amended 
by section 102(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(27) LIZARD HEAD WILDERNESS ADDITION.— 
Certain 
Federal 
land 
in 
the 
Grand 
Mesa, 
Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests com-
prising approximately 3,141 acres, as generally de-
picted on the map entitled ‘Proposed Wilson, Sun-
shine, Black Face and San Bernardo Additions to 
the Lizard Head Wilderness’ and dated September 
6, 2018, which is incorporated in, and shall be ad-
ministered as part of, the Lizard Head Wilderness. 
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‘‘(28) MOUNT
SNEFFELS
WILDERNESS
ADDI-
TIONS.— 
‘‘(A) LIBERTY
BELL
AND
LAST
DOLLAR 
ADDITIONS.—Certain Federal land in the 
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison Na-
tional Forests comprising approximately 7,235 
acres, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
‘Proposed Liberty Bell and Last Dollar Addi-
tions to the Mt. Sneffels Wilderness, Liberty 
Bell East Special Management Area’ and dated 
September 6, 2018, which is incorporated in, 
and shall be administered as part of, the Mount 
Sneffels Wilderness. 
‘‘(B) WHITEHOUSE
ADDITIONS.—Certain 
Federal land in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, 
and Gunnison National Forests comprising ap-
proximately 12,465 acres, as generally depicted 
on the map entitled ‘Proposed Whitehouse Ad-
ditions to the Mt. Sneffels Wilderness’ and 
dated September 6, 2018, which is incorporated 
in, and shall be administered as part of, the 
Mount Sneffels Wilderness. 
‘‘(29) MCKENNA PEAK WILDERNESS.—Certain 
Federal land in the State of Colorado comprising ap-
proximately 8,884 acres of Bureau of Land Manage-
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ment land, as generally depicted on the map entitled 
‘Proposed McKenna Peak Wilderness Area’ and 
dated September 18, 2018, to be known as the 
‘McKenna Peak Wilderness’.’’. 
SEC. 203. SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS. 
(a) DESIGNATION.— 
(1) SHEEP MOUNTAIN SPECIAL MANAGEMENT 
AREA.—The Federal land in the Grand Mesa, 
Uncompahgre, and Gunnison and San Juan Na-
tional Forests in the State comprising approximately 
21,663 acres, as generally depicted on the map enti-
tled ‘‘Proposed Sheep Mountain Special Manage-
ment Area’’ and dated September 19, 2018, is des-
ignated as the ‘‘Sheep Mountain Special Manage-
ment Area’’. 
(2) LIBERTY
BELL
EAST
SPECIAL
MANAGE-
MENT AREA.—The Federal land in the Grand Mesa, 
Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests in 
the State comprising approximately 792 acres, as 
generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Proposed 
Liberty Bell and Last Dollar Additions to the Mt. 
Sneffels Wilderness, Liberty Bell East Special Man-
agement Area’’ and dated September 6, 2018, is 
designated as the ‘‘Liberty Bell East Special Man-
agement Area’’. 
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(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Special Manage-
ment Areas is to conserve and protect for the benefit and 
enjoyment of present and future generations the geologi-
cal, cultural, archaeological, paleontological, natural, sci-
entific, recreational, wilderness, wildlife, riparian, histor-
ical, educational, and scenic resources of the Special Man-
agement Areas. 
(c) MANAGEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall manage 
the Special Management Areas in a manner that— 
(A) conserves, protects, and enhances the 
resources and values of the Special Manage-
ment Areas described in subsection (b); 
(B) subject to paragraph (3), maintains or 
improves the wilderness character of the Special 
Management Areas and the suitability of the 
Special Management Areas for potential inclu-
sion in the National Wilderness Preservation 
System; and 
(C) is in accordance with— 
(i) the National Forest Management 
Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.); 
(ii) this title; and 
(iii) any other applicable laws. 
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(2) PROHIBITIONS.—The following shall be pro-
hibited in the Special Management Areas: 
(A) Permanent roads. 
(B) Except as necessary to meet the min-
imum requirements for the administration of 
the Federal land, to provide access for aban-
doned mine cleanup, and to protect public 
health and safety— 
(i) the use of motor vehicles, motor-
ized equipment, or mechanical transport 
(other than as provided in paragraph (3)); 
and 
(ii) the establishment of temporary 
roads. 
(3) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
allow any activities (including helicopter access 
for recreation and maintenance and the com-
petitive running event permitted since 1992) 
that have been authorized by permit or license 
as of the date of enactment of this Act to con-
tinue within the Special Management Areas, 
subject to such terms and conditions as the 
Secretary may require. 
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(B) PERMITTING.—The designation of the 
Special Management Areas by subsection (a) 
shall not affect the issuance of permits relating 
to the activities covered under subparagraph 
(A) after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(C) BICYCLES.—The Secretary may permit 
the use of bicycles in— 
(i) the portion of the Sheep Mountain 
Special Management Area identified as 
‘‘Ophir Valley Area’’ on the map entitled 
‘‘Proposed Sheep Mountain Special Man-
agement Area’’ and dated September 19, 
2018; and 
(ii) the portion of the Liberty Bell 
East Special Management Area identified 
as ‘‘Liberty Bell Corridor’’ on the map en-
titled ‘‘Proposed Liberty Bell and Last 
Dollar Additions to the Mt. Sneffels Wil-
derness, Liberty Bell East Special Manage-
ment Area’’ and dated September 6, 2018. 
(d) APPLICABLE LAW.—Water and water rights in 
the Special Management Areas shall be administered in 
accordance with section 8 of the Colorado Wilderness Act 
of 1993 (Public Law 103–77; 107 Stat. 762), except that, 
for purposes of this title— 
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(1) any reference contained in that section to 
‘‘the lands designated as wilderness by this Act’’, 
‘‘the Piedra, Roubideau, and Tabeguache areas iden-
tified in section 9 of this Act, or the Bowen Gulch 
Protection Area or the Fossil Ridge Recreation Man-
agement Area identified in sections 5 and 6 of this 
Act’’, or ‘‘the areas described in sections 2, 5, 6, and 
9 of this Act’’ shall be considered to be a reference 
to ‘‘the Special Management Areas’’; and 
(2) any reference contained in that section to 
‘‘this Act’’ shall be considered to be a reference to 
‘‘the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy 
Act’’. 
(e) SHEEP MOUNTAIN SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA 
NORDIC SKI SAFETY STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in 
consultation with interested parties, shall complete a 
study on ensuring safe access for Nordic skiing in 
the vicinity of the Sheep Mountain Special Manage-
ment Area, consistent with the purposes of the 
Sheep Mountain Special Management Area. 
(2) REQUIREMENT.—In conducting the study 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary, in coordination 
with San Miguel County in the State, the State De-
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partment of Transportation, and other interested 
stakeholders, shall identify a range of reasonable ac-
tions that could be taken by the Secretary to provide 
or facilitate off-highway parking areas along State 
Highway 145 to facilitate safe access for Nordic ski-
ing in the vicinity of the Sheep Mountain Special 
Management Area. 
SEC. 204. RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS. 
(a) DOMINGUEZ
CANYON
WILDERNESS
STUDY 
AREA.—Subtitle E of title II of Public Law 111–11 is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating section 2408 (16 U.S.C. 
460zzz–7) as section 2409; and 
(2) by inserting after section 2407 (16 U.S.C. 
460zzz–6) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 2408. RELEASE. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Congress finds that, for the pur-
poses of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the por-
tions of the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Study Area 
not designated as wilderness by this subtitle have been 
adequately studied for wilderness designation. 
‘‘(b) RELEASE.—Any public land referred to in sub-
section (a) that is not designated as wilderness by this 
subtitle— 
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‘‘(1) is no longer subject to section 603(c) of 
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)); and 
‘‘(2) shall be managed in accordance with this 
subtitle and any other applicable laws.’’. 
(b) MCKENNA PEAK WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Congress finds that, for the 
purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Pol-
icy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 
1782(c)), the portions of the McKenna Peak Wilder-
ness Study Area in San Miguel County in the State 
not designated as wilderness by paragraph (29) of 
section 2(a) of the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 
(16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 103–77) (as 
added by section 202) have been adequately studied 
for wilderness designation. 
(2) RELEASE.—Any public land referred to in 
paragraph (1) that is not designated as wilderness 
by paragraph (29) of section 2(a) of the Colorado 
Wilderness Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Pub-
lic Law 103–77) (as added by section 202)— 
(A) is no longer subject to section 603(c) 
of the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)); and 
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(B) shall be managed in accordance with 
applicable laws. 
SEC. 205. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS. 
(a) FISH AND WILDLIFE.—Nothing in this title af-
fects the jurisdiction or responsibility of the State with 
respect to fish and wildlife in the State. 
(b) NO BUFFER ZONES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this title estab-
lishes a protective perimeter or buffer zone around 
covered land. 
(2) ACTIVITIES
OUTSIDE
WILDERNESS.—The 
fact that a nonwilderness activity or use on land out-
side of the covered land can be seen or heard from 
within covered land shall not preclude the activity or 
use outside the boundary of the covered land. 
(c) TRIBAL RIGHTS AND USES.— 
(1) TREATY RIGHTS.—Nothing in this title af-
fects the treaty rights of any Indian Tribe, including 
rights under the Agreement of September 13, 1873, 
ratified by the Act of April 29, 1874 (18 Stat. 36, 
chapter 136). 
(2) TRADITIONAL
TRIBAL
USES.—Subject to 
any terms and conditions as the Secretary deter-
mines to be necessary and in accordance with appli-
cable law, the Secretary shall allow for the continued 
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use of the covered land by members of Indian 
Tribes— 
(A) for traditional ceremonies; and 
(B) as a source of traditional plants and 
other materials. 
(d) MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary or 
the Secretary of the Interior, as appropriate, shall 
file a map and a legal description of each wilderness 
area designated by paragraphs (27) through (29) of 
section 2(a) of the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 
(16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 103–77) (as 
added by section 202) and the Special Management 
Areas with— 
(A) the Committee on Natural Resources 
of the House of Representatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate. 
(2) FORCE OF LAW.—Each map and legal de-
scription filed under paragraph (1) shall have the 
same force and effect as if included in this title, ex-
cept that the Secretary or the Secretary of the Inte-
rior, as appropriate, may correct any typographical 
errors in the maps and legal descriptions. 
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(3) PUBLIC
AVAILABILITY.—Each map and 
legal description filed under paragraph (1) shall be 
on file and available for public inspection in the ap-
propriate offices of the Bureau of Land Management 
and the Forest Service. 
(e) ACQUISITION OF LAND.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary or the Sec-
retary of the Interior, as appropriate, may acquire 
any land or interest in land within the boundaries of 
a Special Management Area or the wilderness des-
ignated under paragraphs (27) through (29) of sec-
tion 2(a) of the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 
(16 U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 103–77) (as 
added by section 202) by donation, purchase from a 
willing seller, or exchange. 
(2) MANAGEMENT.—Any land or interest in 
land acquired under paragraph (1) shall be incor-
porated into, and administered as a part of, the wil-
derness or Special Management Area in which the 
land or interest in land is located. 
(f) GRAZING.—The grazing of livestock on covered 
land, if established before the date of enactment of this 
Act, shall be permitted to continue subject to such reason-
able regulations as are considered to be necessary by the 
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Secretary with jurisdiction over the covered land, in ac-
cordance with— 
(1) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 
U.S.C. 1133(d)(4)); and 
(2) the applicable guidelines set forth in Appen-
dix A of the report of the Committee on Interior and 
Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives ac-
companying H.R. 2570 of the 101st Congress (H. 
Rept. 101–405) or H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress 
(H. Rept. 96–617). 
(g) FIRE, INSECTS, AND DISEASES.—In accordance 
with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
1133(d)(1)), the Secretary with jurisdiction over a wilder-
ness area designated by paragraphs (27) through (29) of 
section 2(a) of the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 (16 
U.S.C. 1132 note; Public Law 103–77) (as added by sec-
tion 202) may carry out any activity in the wilderness area 
that the Secretary determines to be necessary for the con-
trol of fire, insects, and diseases, subject to such terms 
and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appro-
priate. 
(h) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, 
the covered land and the approximately 6,590 acres gen-
erally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Proposed Naturita 
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Canyon Mineral Withdrawal Area’’ and dated September 
6, 2018, is withdrawn from— 
(1) entry, appropriation, and disposal under the 
public land laws; 
(2) location, entry, and patent under mining 
laws; and 
(3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral 
materials, and geothermal leasing laws. 
TITLE III—THOMPSON DIVIDE 
SEC. 301. PURPOSES. 
The purposes of this title are— 
(1) subject to valid existing rights, to withdraw 
certain Federal land in the Thompson Divide area 
from mineral and other disposal laws in order to 
protect the agricultural, ranching, wildlife, air qual-
ity, recreation, ecological, and scenic values of the 
area; and 
(2) to promote the capture of fugitive methane 
emissions that would otherwise be emitted into the 
atmosphere. 
SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) FUGITIVE METHANE EMISSIONS.—The term 
‘‘fugitive methane emissions’’ means methane gas 
from the Federal land or interests in Federal land 
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in Garfield, Gunnison, Delta, or Pitkin County in 
the State, within the boundaries of the ‘‘Fugitive 
Coal Mine Methane Use Pilot Program Area’’, as 
generally depicted on the pilot program map, that 
would leak or be vented into the atmosphere from— 
(A) an active or inactive coal mine subject 
to a Federal coal lease; or 
(B) an abandoned underground coal mine 
or the site of a former coal mine— 
(i) that is not subject to a Federal 
coal lease; and 
(ii) with respect to which the Federal 
interest in land includes mineral rights to 
the methane gas. 
(2) PILOT
PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘pilot pro-
gram’’ means the Greater Thompson Divide Fugitive 
Coal Mine Methane Use Pilot Program established 
by section 305(a)(1). 
(3) PILOT
PROGRAM
MAP.—The term ‘‘pilot 
program map’’ means the map entitled ‘‘Greater 
Thompson Divide Fugitive Coal Mine Methane Use 
Pilot Program Area’’ and dated April 29, 2022. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
(5) THOMPSON DIVIDE LEASE.— 
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(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Thompson 
Divide lease’’ means any oil or gas lease in ef-
fect on the date of enactment of this Act within 
the Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protec-
tion Area. 
(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘Thompson 
Divide lease’’ does not include any oil or gas 
lease that— 
(i) is associated with a Wolf Creek 
Storage Field development right; or 
(ii) before the date of enactment of 
this Act, has expired, been cancelled, or 
otherwise terminated. 
(6) 
THOMPSON
DIVIDE
MAP.—The 
term 
‘‘Thompson Divide map’’ means the map entitled 
‘‘Greater Thompson Divide Area Map’’ and dated 
May 15, 2023. 
(7) THOMPSON DIVIDE WITHDRAWAL AND PRO-
TECTION AREA.—The term ‘‘Thompson Divide With-
drawal and Protection Area’’ means the Federal 
land and minerals within the area generally depicted 
as the ‘‘Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protec-
tion Area’’ on the Thompson Divide map. 
(8) WOLF CREEK STORAGE FIELD DEVELOP-
MENT RIGHT.— 
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(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Wolf Creek 
Storage Field development right’’ means a de-
velopment right for any of the Federal mineral 
leases numbered COC 0007496, COC 0007497, 
COC 0007498, COC 0007499, COC 0007500, 
COC 0007538, COC 0008128, COC 0015373, 
COC 0128018, COC 0051645, and COC 
0051646, as generally depicted on the Thomp-
son Divide map as ‘‘Wolf Creek Storage Agree-
ment’’. 
(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘Wolf Creek 
Storage Field development right’’ does not in-
clude any storage right or related activity with-
in the area described in subparagraph (A). 
SEC. 303. THOMPSON DIVIDE WITHDRAWAL AND PROTEC-
TION AREA. 
(a) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, 
the Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection Area is 
withdrawn from— 
(1) entry, appropriation, and 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. 
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(b) SURVEYS.—The exact acreage and legal descrip-
tion of the Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection 
Area shall be determined by surveys approved by the Sec-
retary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture. 
(c) GRAZING.—Nothing in this title affects the ad-
ministration of grazing in the Thompson Divide With-
drawal and Protection Area. 
SEC. 304. THOMPSON DIVIDE LEASE CREDITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In exchange for the relinquish-
ment by a leaseholder of all Thompson Divide leases of 
the leaseholder, the Secretary may issue to the leaseholder 
credits for any bid, royalty, or rental payment due under 
any Federal oil or gas lease on Federal land in the State, 
in accordance with subsection (b). 
(b) AMOUNT OF CREDITS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), 
the amount of the credits issued to a leaseholder of 
a Thompson Divide lease relinquished under sub-
section (a) shall— 
(A) be equal to the sum of— 
(i) the amount of the bonus bids paid 
for the applicable Thompson Divide leases; 
(ii) the amount of any rental paid for 
the applicable Thompson Divide leases as 
of the date on which the leaseholder sub-
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mits to the Secretary a notice of the deci-
sion to relinquish the applicable Thompson 
Divide leases; and 
(iii) the amount of any reasonable ex-
penses incurred by the leaseholder of the 
applicable Thompson Divide leases in the 
preparation of any drilling permit, sundry 
notice, or other related submission in sup-
port of the development of the applicable 
Thompson Divide leases as of January 28, 
2019, including any expenses relating to 
the preparation of any analysis under the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and 
(B) require the approval of the Secretary. 
(2) EXCLUSION.—The amount of a credit 
issued under subsection (a) shall not include any ex-
penses paid by the leaseholder of a Thompson Divide 
lease for— 
(A) legal fees or related expenses for legal 
work with respect to a Thompson Divide lease; 
or 
(B) any expenses incurred before the 
issuance of a Thompson Divide lease. 
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(c) CANCELLATION.—Effective on relinquishment 
under this section, and without any additional action by 
the Secretary, a Thompson Divide lease— 
(1) shall be permanently cancelled; and 
(2) shall not be reissued. 
(d) CONDITIONS.— 
(1) APPLICABLE
LAW.—Except as otherwise 
provided in this section, each exchange under this 
section shall be conducted in accordance with— 
(A) this title; and 
(B) other applicable laws (including regu-
lations). 
(2) ACCEPTANCE OF CREDITS.—The Secretary 
shall accept credits issued under subsection (a) in 
the same manner as cash for the payments described 
in that subsection. 
(3) APPLICABILITY.—The use of a credit issued 
under subsection (a) shall be subject to the laws (in-
cluding regulations) applicable to the payments de-
scribed in that subsection, to the extent that the 
laws are consistent with this section. 
(4) TREATMENT OF CREDITS.—All amounts in 
the form of credits issued under subsection (a) ac-
cepted by the Secretary shall be considered to be 
amounts received for the purposes of— 
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(A) section 35 of the Mineral Leasing Act 
(30 U.S.C. 191); and 
(B) section 20 of the Geothermal Steam 
Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1019). 
(e) WOLF CREEK STORAGE FIELD DEVELOPMENT 
RIGHTS.— 
(1) CONVEYANCE TO SECRETARY.—As a condi-
tion precedent to the relinquishment of a Thompson 
Divide lease under this section, any leaseholder with 
a Wolf Creek Storage Field development right shall 
permanently relinquish, transfer, and otherwise con-
vey to the Secretary, in a form acceptable to the 
Secretary, all Wolf Creek Storage Field development 
rights of the leaseholder. 
(2) CREDITS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In consideration for the 
transfer of development rights under paragraph 
(1), the Secretary may issue to a leaseholder 
described in that paragraph credits for any rea-
sonable expenses incurred by the leaseholder in 
acquiring the Wolf Creek Storage Field develop-
ment right or in the preparation of any drilling 
permit, sundry notice, or other related submis-
sion in support of the development right as of 
January 28, 2019, including any reasonable ex-
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penses relating to the preparation of any anal-
ysis under the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
(B) APPROVAL.—Any credits for a transfer 
of the development rights under paragraph (1), 
shall be subject to— 
(i) the exclusion described in sub-
section (b)(2); 
(ii) the conditions described in sub-
section (d); and 
(iii) the approval of the Secretary. 
(3) LIMITATION OF TRANSFER.—Development 
rights acquired by the Secretary under paragraph 
(1)— 
(A) shall be held for as long as the parent 
leases in the Wolf Creek Storage Field remain 
in effect; and 
(B) shall not be— 
(i) transferred; 
(ii) reissued; or 
(iii) otherwise used for mineral extrac-
tion. 
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SEC. 305. GREATER THOMPSON DIVIDE FUGITIVE COAL 
MINE METHANE USE PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) FUGITIVE COAL MINE METHANE USE PILOT 
PROGRAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in 
the Bureau of Land Management a pilot program, 
to be known as the ‘‘Greater Thompson Divide Fu-
gitive Coal Mine Methane Use Pilot Program’’. 
(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the pilot pro-
gram is to promote the capture, beneficial use, miti-
gation, and sequestration of fugitive methane emis-
sions— 
(A) to reduce methane emissions; 
(B) to promote economic development; 
(C) to improve air quality; and 
(D) to improve public safety. 
(3) PLAN.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall develop a plan— 
(i) to complete an inventory of fugitive 
methane emissions in accordance with sub-
section (b); 
(ii) to provide for the leasing of fugi-
tive methane emissions in accordance with 
subsection (c); and 
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(iii) to provide for the capping or de-
struction of fugitive methane emissions in 
accordance with subsection (d). 
(B) COORDINATION.—In developing the 
plan under this paragraph, the Secretary shall 
coordinate with— 
(i) the State; 
(ii) Garfield, Gunnison, Delta, and 
Pitkin Counties in the State; 
(iii) lessees of Federal coal within the 
counties referred to in clause (ii); 
(iv) interested institutions of higher 
education in the State; and 
(v) interested members of the public. 
(b) FUGITIVE METHANE EMISSIONS INVENTORY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall complete an inventory of fugitive methane 
emissions. 
(2) CONDUCT.— 
(A) COLLABORATION.—The Secretary may 
conduct the inventory under paragraph (1) 
through, or in collaboration with— 
(i) the Bureau of Land Management; 
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(ii) the United States Geological Sur-
vey; 
(iii) the Environmental Protection 
Agency; 
(iv) the United States Forest Service; 
(v) State departments or agencies; 
(vi) Garfield, Gunnison, Delta, or 
Pitkin County in the State; 
(vii) the Garfield County Federal Min-
eral Lease District; 
(viii) institutions of higher education 
in the State; 
(ix) lessees of Federal coal within a 
county referred to in subparagraph (F); 
(x) the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration; 
(xi) the National Center for Atmos-
pheric Research; or 
(xii) other interested entities, includ-
ing members of the public. 
(B) FEDERAL SPLIT ESTATE.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—In conducting the 
inventory under paragraph (1) for Federal 
minerals on split estate land, the Secretary 
shall rely on available data. 
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(ii) LIMITATION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion requires or authorizes the Secretary to 
enter or access private land to conduct the 
inventory under paragraph (1). 
(3) 
CONTENTS.—The 
inventory 
conducted 
under paragraph (1) shall include— 
(A) the general location and geographic co-
ordinates of vents, seeps, or other sources pro-
ducing significant fugitive methane emissions; 
(B) an estimate of the volume and con-
centration of fugitive methane emissions from 
each source of significant fugitive methane 
emissions, including details of measurements 
taken and the basis for that emissions estimate; 
(C) relevant data and other information 
available from— 
(i) 
the 
Environmental 
Protection 
Agency; 
(ii) the Mine Safety and Health Ad-
ministration; 
(iii) the Colorado Department of Nat-
ural Resources; 
(iv) the Colorado Public Utility Com-
mission; 
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(v) the Colorado Department of 
Health and Environment; and 
(vi) the Office of Surface Mining Rec-
lamation and Enforcement; and 
(D) such other information as may be use-
ful in advancing the purposes of the pilot pro-
gram. 
(4) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION; DISCLOSURE.— 
(A) PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION.—The Sec-
retary shall, as appropriate, provide opportuni-
ties for public participation in the conduct of 
the inventory under paragraph (1). 
(B) AVAILABILITY.—The Secretary shall 
make the inventory conducted under paragraph 
(1) publicly available. 
(C) DISCLOSURE.—Nothing in this sub-
section requires the Secretary to publicly re-
lease information that— 
(i) poses a threat to public safety; 
(ii) is confidential business informa-
tion; or 
(iii) is otherwise protected from public 
disclosure. 
(5) IMPACT
ON
COAL
MINES
SUBJECT
TO 
LEASE.— 
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(A) IN
GENERAL.—For the purposes of 
conducting the inventory under paragraph (1), 
for land subject to a Federal coal lease, the 
Secretary shall use readily available methane 
emissions data. 
(B) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section re-
quires the holder of a Federal coal lease to re-
port additional data or information to the Sec-
retary. 
(6) USE.—The Secretary shall use the inven-
tory conducted under paragraph (1) in carrying 
out— 
(A) the leasing program under subsection 
(c); and 
(B) the capping or destruction of fugitive 
methane emissions under subsection (d). 
(c) FUGITIVE METHANE EMISSIONS LEASING PRO-
GRAM AND SEQUESTRATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing 
rights and in accordance with this section, not later 
than 1 year after the date of completion of the in-
ventory required under subsection (b), the Secretary 
shall carry out a program to encourage the use and 
destruction of fugitive methane emissions. 
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(2) FUGITIVE METHANE EMISSIONS FROM COAL 
MINES SUBJECT TO LEASE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall au-
thorize the holder of a valid existing Federal 
coal lease for a mine that is producing fugitive 
methane emissions to capture for use or destroy 
the fugitive methane emissions. 
(B) CONDITIONS.—The authority under 
subparagraph (A) shall be subject to— 
(i) valid existing rights; and 
(ii) such terms and conditions as the 
Secretary may require. 
(C) LIMITATIONS.—The program carried 
out under paragraph (1) shall only include fugi-
tive methane emissions that can be captured for 
use or destroyed in a manner that does not— 
(i) endanger the safety of any coal 
mine worker; or 
(ii) unreasonably interfere with any 
ongoing operation at a coal mine. 
(D) COOPERATION.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
work cooperatively with the holders of valid 
existing Federal coal leases for mines that 
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produce fugitive methane emissions to en-
courage— 
(I) the capture of fugitive meth-
ane emissions for beneficial use, such 
as generating electrical power, pro-
ducing usable heat, transporting the 
methane to market, or transforming 
the fugitive methane emissions into a 
different marketable material; or 
(II) if the beneficial use of the 
fugitive methane emissions is not fea-
sible, the destruction of the fugitive 
methane emissions. 
(ii) GUIDANCE.—In support of cooper-
ative efforts with holders of valid existing 
Federal coal leases to capture for use or 
destroy fugitive methane emissions, not 
later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
guidance to the public for the implementa-
tion of authorities and programs to encour-
age the capture for use and destruction of 
fugitive methane emissions, while mini-
mizing impacts on natural resources or 
other public interest values. 
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(E) ROYALTIES.—The Secretary shall de-
termine whether any fugitive methane emissions 
used or destroyed pursuant to this paragraph 
are subject to the payment of a royalty under 
applicable law. 
(3) FUGITIVE METHANE EMISSIONS FROM LAND 
NOT SUBJECT TO A FEDERAL COAL LEASE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Except as otherwise 
provided in this section, notwithstanding section 
303 and subject to valid existing rights and any 
other applicable law, the Secretary shall, for 
land not subject to a Federal coal lease— 
(i) authorize the capture for use or 
destruction of fugitive methane emissions; 
and 
(ii) make available for leasing such fu-
gitive methane emissions as the Secretary 
determines to be in the public interest. 
(B) SOURCE.—To the extent practicable, 
the Secretary shall offer for lease, individually 
or in combination, each significant source of fu-
gitive methane emissions on land not subject to 
a Federal coal lease. 
(C) BID QUALIFICATIONS.—A bid to lease 
fugitive methane emissions under this para-
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graph shall specify whether the prospective les-
see intends— 
(i) to capture the fugitive methane 
emissions for beneficial use, such as gener-
ating electrical power, producing usable 
heat, transporting the methane to market, 
or transforming the fugitive methane emis-
sions into a different marketable material; 
(ii) to destroy the fugitive methane 
emissions; or 
(iii) to employ a specific combination 
of— 
(I) capturing the fugitive meth-
ane emissions for beneficial use; and 
(II) destroying the fugitive meth-
ane emissions. 
(D) PRIORITY.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—If there is more 
than 1 qualified bid for a lease under this 
paragraph, the Secretary shall select the 
bid that the Secretary determines is likely 
to most significantly advance the public in-
terest. 
(ii) 
CONSIDERATIONS.—In 
deter-
mining the public interest under clause (i), 
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the Secretary shall take into consider-
ation— 
(I) the overall decrease in the fu-
gitive methane emissions; 
(II) the impacts to other natural 
resource values, including wildlife, 
water, and air; and 
(III) other public interest values, 
including scenic, economic, recreation, 
and cultural values. 
(E) LEASE FORM.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
develop and provide to prospective bidders 
a lease form for leases issued under this 
paragraph. 
(ii) DUE DILIGENCE.—The lease form 
developed under clause (i) shall include 
terms and conditions requiring the leased 
fugitive methane emissions to be put to 
beneficial use or destroyed by not later 
than 3 years after the date of issuance of 
the lease. 
(F) ROYALTY RATE.—The Secretary shall 
develop a minimum bid, as the Secretary deter-
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mines to be necessary, and royalty rate for 
leases under this paragraph. 
(d) SEQUESTRATION.—If, by not later than 4 years 
after the date of completion of the inventory under sub-
section (b), any significant fugitive methane emissions are 
not leased under subsection (c)(3), the Secretary shall, 
subject to the availability of appropriations and in accord-
ance with applicable law, take all reasonable measures— 
(1) to provide incentives for new leases under 
subsection (c)(3); 
(2) to cap those fugitive methane emissions at 
the source in any case in which the cap will result 
in the long-term sequestration of all or a significant 
portion of the fugitive methane emissions; or 
(3) to destroy the fugitive methane emissions, if 
incentivizing leases under paragraph (1) or seques-
tration under paragraph (2) is not feasible, with pri-
ority for locations that destroy the greatest quantity 
of fugitive methane emissions at the lowest cost. 
(e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 4 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Re-
sources of the House of Representatives a report detail-
ing— 
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(1) the economic and environmental impacts of 
the pilot program, including information on in-
creased royalties and estimates of avoided green-
house gas emissions; and 
(2) any recommendations of the Secretary on 
whether the pilot program could be expanded to in-
clude— 
(A) other significant sources of emissions 
of fugitive methane located outside the bound-
aries of the area depicted as ‘‘Fugitive Coal 
Mine Methane Use Pilot Program Area’’ on the 
pilot program map; and 
(B) the leasing of natural methane seeps 
under the activities authorized pursuant to sub-
section (c)(3). 
SEC. 306. EFFECT. 
Except as expressly provided in this title, nothing in 
this title— 
(1) expands, diminishes, or impairs any valid 
existing mineral leases, mineral interest, or other 
property rights wholly or partially within the 
Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection Area, 
including access to the leases, interests, rights, or 
land in accordance with applicable Federal, State, 
and local laws (including regulations); 
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(2) prevents the capture of methane from any 
active, inactive, or abandoned coal mine covered by 
this title, in accordance with applicable laws; or 
(3) prevents access to, or the development of, 
any new or existing coal mine or lease in Delta or 
Gunnison County in the State. 
TITLE IV—CURECANTI 
NATIONAL RECREATION AREA 
SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) MAP.—The term ‘‘map’’ means the map en-
titled ‘‘Curecanti National Recreation Area, Pro-
posed Boundary’’, numbered 616/100,485D, and 
dated April 25, 2022. 
(2) NATIONAL RECREATION AREA.—The term 
‘‘National Recreation Area’’ means the Curecanti 
National Recreation Area established by section 
402(a). 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
SEC. 402. CURECANTI NATIONAL RECREATION AREA. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Effective beginning on the 
earlier of the date on which the Secretary approves a re-
quest under subsection (c)(2)(B)(i)(I) and the date that 
is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, there 
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shall be established as a unit of the National Park System 
the Curecanti National Recreation Area, in accordance 
with this Act, consisting of approximately 50,300 acres of 
land in the State, as generally depicted on the map as 
‘‘Curecanti National Recreation Area Proposed Bound-
ary’’. 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF MAP.—The map shall be on file 
and available for public inspection in the appropriate of-
fices of the National Park Service. 
(c) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall admin-
ister the National Recreation Area in accordance 
with— 
(A) this title; and 
(B) the laws (including regulations) gen-
erally applicable to units of the National Park 
System, including section 100101(a), chapter 
1003, 
and 
sections 
100751(a), 
100752, 
100753, and 102101 of title 54, United States 
Code. 
(2) DAM, POWER PLANT, AND RESERVOIR MAN-
AGEMENT AND OPERATIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this title af-
fects or interferes with the authority of the Sec-
retary— 
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(i) to operate the Uncompahgre Valley 
Reclamation Project under the reclamation 
laws; 
(ii) to operate the Wayne N. Aspinall 
Unit of the Colorado River Storage Project 
under the Act of April 11, 1956 (com-
monly known as the ‘‘Colorado River Stor-
age Project Act’’) (43 U.S.C. 620 et seq.); 
or 
(iii) under the Federal Water Project 
Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460l–12 et 
seq.). 
(B) RECLAMATION LAND.— 
(i) SUBMISSION OF REQUEST TO RE-
TAIN ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION.—If, 
before the date that is 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commis-
sioner of Reclamation submits to the Sec-
retary a request for the Commissioner of 
Reclamation to retain administrative juris-
diction over the minimum quantity of land 
within the land identified on the map as 
‘‘Lands withdrawn or acquired for Bureau 
of Reclamation projects’’ that the Commis-
sioner of Reclamation identifies as nec-
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essary for the effective operation of Bu-
reau of Reclamation water facilities, the 
Secretary may— 
(I) approve, approve with modi-
fications, or disapprove the request; 
and 
(II) if the request is approved 
under subclause (I), make any modi-
fications to the map that are nec-
essary to reflect that the Commis-
sioner of Reclamation retains manage-
ment authority over the minimum 
quantity of land required to fulfill the 
reclamation mission. 
(ii) TRANSFER OF LAND.— 
(I) IN GENERAL.—Administrative 
jurisdiction over the land identified on 
the map as ‘‘Lands withdrawn or ac-
quired for Bureau of Reclamation 
projects’’, as modified pursuant to 
clause (i)(II), if applicable, shall be 
transferred from the Commissioner of 
Reclamation to the Director of the 
National Park Service by not later 
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than the date that is 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act. 
(II) ACCESS
TO
TRANSFERRED 
LAND.— 
(aa) IN GENERAL.—Subject 
to item (bb), the Commissioner 
of Reclamation shall retain ac-
cess to the land transferred to 
the Director of the National Park 
Service under subclause (I) for 
reclamation purposes, including 
for the operation, maintenance, 
and expansion or replacement of 
facilities. 
(bb) MEMORANDUM OF UN-
DERSTANDING.—The 
terms 
of 
the access authorized under item 
(aa) shall be determined by a 
memorandum of understanding 
entered into between the Com-
missioner of Reclamation and the 
Director of the National Park 
Service not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of 
this Act. 
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(3) MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
enter into management agreements, or modify 
management agreements in existence on the 
date of enactment of this Act, relating to the 
authority of the Director of the National Park 
Service, the Commissioner of Reclamation, the 
Director of the Bureau of Land Management, 
or the Chief of the Forest Service to manage 
Federal land within or adjacent to the boundary 
of the National Recreation Area. 
(B) STATE
LAND.—The Secretary may 
enter into cooperative management agreements 
for any land administered by the State that is 
within or adjacent to the National Recreation 
Area, in accordance with the cooperative man-
agement authority under section 101703 of title 
54, United States Code. 
(4) RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.— 
(A) AUTHORIZATION.—Except as provided 
in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall allow 
boating, boating-related activities, hunting, and 
fishing in the National Recreation Area in ac-
cordance with applicable Federal and State 
laws. 
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(B) CLOSURES; DESIGNATED ZONES.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, act-
ing through the Superintendent of the Na-
tional Recreation Area, may designate 
zones in which, and establish periods dur-
ing which, no boating, hunting, or fishing 
shall be permitted in the National Recre-
ation Area under subparagraph (A) for 
reasons of public safety, administration, or 
compliance with applicable laws. 
(ii) CONSULTATION
REQUIRED.—Ex-
cept in the case of an emergency, any clo-
sure proposed by the Secretary under 
clause (i) shall not take effect until after 
the date on which the Superintendent of 
the National Recreation Area consults 
with— 
(I) the appropriate State agency 
responsible for hunting and fishing 
activities; and 
(II) the Board of County Com-
missioners in each county in which 
the zone is proposed to be designated. 
(5) LANDOWNER ASSISTANCE.—On the written 
request of an individual that owns private land lo-
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cated within the area generally depicted as ‘‘Con-
servation Opportunity Area’’ on the map entitled 
‘‘Preferred Alternative’’ in the document entitled 
‘‘Report to Congress: Curecanti Special Resource 
Study’’ and dated June 2009, the Secretary may 
work in partnership with the individual to enhance 
the long-term conservation of natural, cultural, rec-
reational, and scenic resources in and around the 
National Recreation Area— 
(A) by acquiring all or a portion of the pri-
vate land or interests in private land within the 
Conservation Opportunity Area by purchase, ex-
change, or donation, in accordance with section 
403; 
(B) by providing technical assistance to the 
individual, including cooperative assistance; 
(C) through available grant programs; and 
(D) by supporting conservation easement 
opportunities. 
(6) INCORPORATION OF ACQUIRED LAND AND 
INTERESTS.—Any land or interest in land acquired 
by the United States under paragraph (5) shall— 
(A) become part of the National Recre-
ation Area; and 
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(B) be managed in accordance with this 
title. 
(7) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing 
rights, all Federal land within the National Recre-
ation Area, including land acquired pursuant to this 
section, is withdrawn from— 
(A) entry, appropriation, and disposal 
under the public land laws; 
(B) location, entry, and patent under the 
mining laws; and 
(C) operation of the mineral leasing, min-
eral materials, and geothermal leasing laws. 
(8) GRAZING.— 
(A) STATE
LAND
SUBJECT
TO
A
STATE 
GRAZING LEASE.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—If State land ac-
quired under this title is subject to a State 
grazing lease in effect on the date of acqui-
sition, the Secretary shall allow the grazing 
to continue for the remainder of the term 
of the lease, subject to the related terms 
and conditions of user agreements, includ-
ing permitted stocking rates, grazing fee 
levels, access rights, and ownership and 
use of range improvements. 
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(ii) ACCESS.—A lessee of State land 
may continue to use established routes 
within the National Recreation Area to ac-
cess State land for purposes of admin-
istering the lease if the use was permitted 
before the date of enactment of this Act, 
subject to such terms and conditions as the 
Secretary may require. 
(B) STATE AND PRIVATE LAND.—The Sec-
retary may, in accordance with applicable laws, 
authorize grazing on land acquired from the 
State or private landowners under section 403, 
if grazing was established before the date of ac-
quisition. 
(C) PRIVATE LAND.—On private land ac-
quired under section 403 for the National 
Recreation Area on which authorized grazing is 
occurring before the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the les-
see, may allow the continuation and renewal of 
grazing on the land based on the terms of ac-
quisition or by agreement between the Secretary 
and the lessee, subject to applicable law (includ-
ing regulations). 
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(D) 
FEDERAL
LAND.—The 
Secretary 
shall— 
(i) allow, consistent with the grazing 
leases, uses, and practices in effect as of 
the date of enactment of this Act, the con-
tinuation and renewal of grazing on Fed-
eral land located within the boundary of 
the National Recreation Area on which 
grazing is allowed before the date of enact-
ment of this Act, unless the Secretary de-
termines that grazing on the Federal land 
would present unacceptable impacts (as de-
fined in section 1.4.7.1 of the National 
Park Service document entitled ‘‘Manage-
ment Policies 2006: The Guide to Man-
aging the National Park System’’) to the 
natural, cultural, recreational, and scenic 
resource values and the character of the 
land within the National Recreation Area; 
and 
(ii) retain all authorities to manage 
grazing in the National Recreation Area. 
(E) TERMINATION
OF
LEASES.—Within 
the National Recreation Area, the Secretary 
may— 
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(i) accept the voluntary termination of 
a lease or permit for grazing; or 
(ii) in the case of a lease or permit va-
cated for a period of 3 or more years, ter-
minate the lease or permit. 
(9) WATER RIGHTS.—Nothing in this title— 
(A) affects any use or allocation in exist-
ence on the date of enactment of this Act of 
any water, water right, or interest in water; 
(B) affects any vested absolute or decreed 
conditional water right in existence on the date 
of enactment of this Act, including any water 
right held by the United States; 
(C) affects any interstate water compact in 
existence on the date of enactment of this Act; 
(D) shall be considered to be a relinquish-
ment or reduction of any water right reserved 
or appropriated by the United States in the 
State on or before the date of enactment of this 
Act; or 
(E) constitutes an express or implied Fed-
eral reservation of any water or water rights 
with respect to the National Recreation Area. 
(10) FISHING EASEMENTS.— 
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