H. R. 3979—526 
as wilderness and as a component of the National Wilder-
ness Preservation System, which shall be known as the 
‘‘Columbine-Hondo Wilderness’’. 
(B) MANAGEMENT.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, 
the Wilderness shall be administered by the Secretary 
in accordance with this section 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. 
(ii) ADJACENT MANAGEMENT.— 
(I) IN GENERAL.—Congress does not intend for 
the designation of the Wilderness to create a 
protective perimeter or buffer zone around the 
Wilderness. 
(II) NONWILDERNESS
ACTIVITIES.—The fact 
that nonwilderness activities or uses can be seen 
or heard from areas within the Wilderness shall 
not preclude the conduct of the activities or uses 
outside the boundary of the Wilderness. 
(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— 
(i) become part of the Wilderness; and 
(ii) be managed in accordance with— 
(I) the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); 
(II) this subsection; and 
(III) any other applicable laws. 
(D) GRAZING.—Grazing of livestock in the Wilderness, 
where established before the date of enactment of this 
Act, shall be allowed to continue in accordance with— 
(i) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
1133(d)(4)); and 
(ii) 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.— 
(i) 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 Col-
umbine-Hondo Wilderness Study Area administered by 
the Forest Service that is not designated as wilderness 
by subparagraph (A) has been adequately reviewed 
for wilderness designation. 
(ii) APPLICABILITY.—The Federal land described in 
clause (i) 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.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall pre-
pare maps and legal descriptions of the Wilderness. 
(ii) FORCE OF LAW.—The maps and legal descrip-
tions prepared under clause (i) shall have the same
H. R. 3979—527 
force and effect as if included in this section, except 
that the Secretary may correct errors in the maps 
and legal descriptions. 
(iii) PUBLIC
AVAILABILITY.—The maps and legal 
descriptions prepared under clause (i) shall be on file 
and available for public inspection in the appropriate 
offices of the Forest Service. 
(G) FISH AND WILDLIFE.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this section affects 
the jurisdiction of the State with respect to fish and 
wildlife located on public land in the State, except 
that the Secretary may designate areas in which, and 
establish periods during which, for reasons of public 
safety, administration, or compliance with applicable 
laws, no hunting, fishing, or trapping will be permitted 
in the Wilderness. 
(ii) CONSULTATION.—Except in emergencies, the 
Secretary shall consult with the appropriate State 
agency and notify the public before taking any action 
under clause (i). 
(H) WITHDRAWALS.—Subject to valid existing rights, 
the Federal land described in subparagraphs (A) and (E)(i) 
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— 
(i) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the 
public land laws; 
(ii) location, entry, and patent under the mining 
laws; and 
(iii) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral mate-
rials, and geothermal leasing laws. 
(2) 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 subparagraph (A) is 
withdrawn from— 
(i) entry, appropriation, or disposal under the 
public land laws; 
(ii) location, entry, and patent under the mining 
laws; and 
(iii) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral mate-
rials, and geothermal leasing laws. 
(c) LAND CONVEYANCES AND SALES.— 
(1) TOWN OF RED RIVER LAND CONVEYANCE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the provisions of this para-
graph, 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 one or more 
parcels of Federal land described in subparagraph (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 subparagraph (A) are the parcels of National
H. R. 3979—528 
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 subparagraph 
(A) shall be subject to— 
(i) valid existing rights; 
(ii) public rights-of-way through ‘‘Parcel 1’’, ‘‘Parcel 
3’’, and ‘‘Parcel 4’’; 
(iii) an administrative right-of-way through ‘‘Parcel 
2’’ reserved to the United States; and 
(iv) such additional terms and conditions as the 
Secretary may require. 
(D) USE OF LAND.—As a condition of the conveyance 
under subparagraph (A), the Town shall use— 
(i) ‘‘Parcel 1’’ for a wastewater treatment plant; 
(ii) ‘‘Parcel 2’’ for a cemetery; 
(iii) ‘‘Parcel 3’’ for a public park; and 
(iv) ‘‘Parcel 4’’ for a public road. 
(E) REVERSION.—In the quitclaim deed to the Town 
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide that 
any parcel of Federal land conveyed to the Town under 
subparagraph (A) shall revert to the Secretary, at the elec-
tion 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 subparagraph (D). 
(F) SURVEY; ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.— 
(i) SURVEY.—The exact acreage and legal descrip-
tion of the National Forest System land conveyed under 
subparagraph (A) shall be determined by a survey 
approved by the Secretary. 
(ii) COSTS.—The Town shall pay the reasonable 
survey and other administrative costs associated with 
the conveyance. 
(2) VILLAGE OF TAOS SKI VALLEY LAND CONVEYANCE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the provisions of this para-
graph, 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 subparagraph (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 subparagraph (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 ‘‘Vil-
lage of Taos Ski Valley Town Site Act Proposal’’ and dated 
April 19, 2012. 
(C) CONDITIONS.—The conveyance under subparagraph 
(A) shall be subject to— 
(i) valid existing rights; 
(ii) an administrative right-of-way through the 
parcel of Federal land described in subparagraph (B) 
reserved to the United States; and
H. R. 3979—529 
(iii) such additional terms and conditions as the 
Secretary may require. 
(D) USE OF LAND.—As a condition of the conveyance 
under subparagraph (A), the Village shall use the parcel 
of Federal land described in subparagraph (B) for a waste-
water 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 subparagraph (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 subparagraph (D). 
(F) SURVEY; ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.— 
(i) SURVEY.—The exact acreage and legal descrip-
tion of the National Forest System land conveyed under 
subparagraph (A) shall be determined by a survey 
approved by the Secretary. 
(ii) COSTS.—The Village shall pay the reasonable 
survey and other administrative costs associated with 
the conveyance. 
(3) AUTHORIZATION OF SALE OF CERTAIN NATIONAL FOREST 
SYSTEM LAND.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the provisions of this para-
graph and in exchange for consideration in an amount 
that is equal to the fair market value of the applicable 
parcel of National Forest System land, the Secretary may 
convey— 
(i) 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 
(ii) 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 gen-
erally depicted as ‘‘Parcel 6’’ on the Red River Convey-
ance Map. 
(B) DISPOSITION OF PROCEEDS.—Any amounts received 
by the Secretary as consideration for a conveyance under 
subparagraph (A) shall be— 
(i) deposited in the fund established under Public 
Law 90–171 (commonly known as the ‘‘Sisk Act’’) (16 
U.S.C. 484a); and 
(ii) available to the Secretary, without further 
appropriation and until expended, for the acquisition 
of land or interests in land in Region 3 of the Forest 
Service. 
(C) CONDITIONS.—The conveyance under subparagraph 
(A) shall be subject to— 
(i) valid existing rights; and 
(ii) such additional terms and conditions as the 
Secretary may require. 
(D) SURVEY; ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.— 
(i) SURVEY.—The exact acreage and legal descrip-
tion of the National Forest System land conveyed under
H. R. 3979—530 
subparagraph (A) shall be determined by a survey 
approved by the Secretary. 
(ii) 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. 
SEC. 3062. HERMOSA CREEK WATERSHED PROTECTION. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CITY.—The term ‘‘City’’ means the city of Durango, 
Colorado. 
(2) COUNTY.—The term ‘‘County’’ means La Plata County, 
Colorado. 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of Agriculture. 
(4) SPECIAL
MANAGEMENT
AREA.—The term ‘‘Special 
Management Area’’ means the Hermosa Creek Special Manage-
ment Area designated by subsection (b)(1). 
(5) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State of Colorado. 
(b) DESIGNATION OF HERMOSA CREEK SPECIAL MANAGEMENT 
AREA.— 
(1) DESIGNATION.—Subject to valid existing rights, certain 
Federal land in the San Juan National Forest comprising 
approximately 70,650 acres, as generally depicted on the map 
entitled ‘‘Proposed Hermosa Creek Special Management Area 
and Proposed Hermosa Creek Wilderness Area’’ and dated 
November 12, 2014, is designated as the ‘‘Hermosa Creek Spe-
cial Management Area’’. 
(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Special Management 
Area is to conserve and protect for the benefit of present and 
future generations the watershed, geological, cultural, natural, 
scientific, recreational, wildlife, riparian, historical, educational, 
and scenic resources of the Special Management Area. 
(3) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall administer the 
Special Management Area— 
(i) in a manner that conserves, protects, and man-
ages the resources of the Special Management Area 
described in paragraph (2); and 
(ii) in accordance with— 
(I) the National Forest Management Act of 
1976 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.); 
(II) this Act; and 
(III) any other applicable laws. 
(B) USES.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall allow only 
such uses of the Special Management Area as the 
Secretary determines would further the purposes 
described in paragraph (2). 
(ii) MOTORIZED AND MECHANIZED VEHICLES.— 
(I) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in sub-
clause (II) and as needed for administrative pur-
poses or to respond to an emergency, the use of 
motorized or mechanized vehicles in the Special 
Management Area shall be permitted only on roads 
and trails designated by the Secretary for use by 
those vehicles.
H. R. 3979—531 
(II) OVERSNOW VEHICLES.—The Secretary shall 
authorize the use of snowmobiles and other 
oversnow vehicles within the Special Management 
Area— 
(aa) when there exists adequate snow cov-
erage; and 
(bb) subject to such terms and conditions 
as the Secretary may require. 
(iii) GRAZING.—The Secretary shall permit grazing 
within the Special Management Area, if established 
before the date of enactment of this Act, subject to 
all applicable laws (including regulations) and Execu-
tive orders. 
(iv) PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.—Within the area of 
the Special Management Area identified as ‘‘East 
Hermosa Area’’ on the map entitled ‘‘Proposed Hermosa 
Creek 
Special 
Management 
Area 
and 
Proposed 
Hermosa Creek Wilderness Area’’ and dated November 
12, 2014, the following activities shall be prohibited: 
(I) 
New 
permanent 
or 
temporary 
road 
construction or the renovation of existing non-
system roads, except as allowed under the final 
rule entitled ‘‘Special Areas; Roadless Area Con-
servation; Applicability to the National Forests in 
Colorado’’ (77 Fed. Reg. 39576 (July 3, 2012)). 
(II) Projects undertaken for the purpose of 
harvesting commercial timber (other than activi-
ties relating to the harvest of merchantable prod-
ucts that are byproducts of activities conducted 
for ecological restoration or to further the purposes 
described in this section). 
(4) STATE AND FEDERAL WATER MANAGEMENT.—Nothing in 
this subsection affects the potential for development, operation, 
or maintenance of a water storage reservoir at the site in 
the Special Management Area that is identified in— 
(A) pages 17 through 20 of the Statewide Water Supply 
Initiative studies prepared by the Colorado Water Con-
servation Board and issued by the State in November 2004; 
and 
(B) page 27 of the Colorado Dam Site Inventory pre-
pared by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and dated 
August 1996. 
(5) WITHDRAWAL.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid rights in existence 
on the date of enactment of this Act and except as provided 
in subparagraph (B), the Federal land within the Special 
Management Area is withdrawn from— 
(i) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal 
under the public land laws; 
(ii) location, entry, and patent under the mining 
laws; and 
(iii) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral mate-
rials, and geothermal leasing laws. 
(B) EXCEPTION.—The withdrawal under subparagraph 
(A) shall not apply to the areas identified as parcels A
H. R. 3979—532 
and B on the map entitled ‘‘Proposed Hermosa Creek Spe-
cial Management Area and Proposed Hermosa Creek 
Wilderness Area’’ and dated November 12, 2014. 
(6) WINTER
SKIING
AND
RELATED
WINTER
ACTIVITIES.— 
Nothing in this subsection alters or limits— 
(A) a permit held by a ski area; 
(B) the implementation of the activities governed by 
a ski area permit; or 
(C) the authority of the Secretary to modify or expand 
an existing ski area permit. 
(7) VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.—Nothing in this subsection 
prevents the Secretary from conducting vegetation management 
projects within the Special Management Area— 
(A) subject to— 
(i) such reasonable regulations, policies, and prac-
tices as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; 
and 
(ii) all applicable laws (including regulations); and 
(B) in a manner consistent with— 
(i) the purposes described in paragraph (2); and 
(ii) this subsection. 
(8) WILDFIRE, INSECT, AND
DISEASE
MANAGEMENT.—In 
accordance with this subsection, the Secretary may— 
(A) carry out any measures that the Secretary deter-
mines to be necessary to manage wildland fire and treat 
hazardous fuels, insects, and diseases in the Special 
Management Area; and 
(B) coordinate those measures with the appropriate 
State or local agency, as the Secretary determines to be 
necessary. 
(9) MANAGEMENT PLAN.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop 
a management plan for the long-term protection and manage-
ment of the Special Management Area that— 
(A) takes into account public input; and 
(B) provides for recreational opportunities to occur 
within the Special Management Area, including skiing, 
biking, 
hiking, 
fishing, 
hunting, 
horseback 
riding, 
snowmobiling, motorcycle riding, off-highway vehicle use, 
snowshoeing, and camping. 
(10) TRAIL AND OPEN AREA SNOWMOBILE USAGE.—Nothing 
in this subsection affects the use or status of trails authorized 
for motorized or mechanized vehicle or open area snowmobile 
use on the date of enactment of this Act. 
(11) STATE
WATER
RIGHTS.—Nothing in this subsection 
affects access to, use of, or allocation of any absolute or condi-
tional water right that is— 
(A) decreed under the laws of the State; and 
(B) in existence on the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) HERMOSA CREEK WILDERNESS.— 
(1) DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS.—Section 2(a) of the Colo-
rado Wilderness Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 107 Stat. 
756; 114 Stat. 1955; 116 Stat. 1055) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(22) Certain land within the San Juan National Forest 
that comprises approximately 37,236 acres, as generally 
depicted on the map entitled ‘Proposed Hermosa Creek Special
H. R. 3979—533 
Management Area and Proposed Hermosa Creek Wilderness 
Area’ and dated November 12, 2014, which shall be known 
as the ‘Hermosa Creek Wilderness’.’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE
DATE.—Any reference contained in the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.) to the effective date 
of that Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date 
of enactment of this Act for purposes of administering the 
wilderness area designated by section 2(a)(22) of the Colorado 
Wilderness Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 107 Stat. 756; 
114 Stat. 1955; 116 Stat. 1055) (as added by paragraph (1)). 
(3) FIRE, INSECTS, AND DISEASES.—In accordance with sec-
tion 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)), within 
the wilderness areas designated by section 2(a)(22) of the Colo-
rado Wilderness Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note; 107 Stat. 
756; 114 Stat. 1955; 116 Stat. 1055) (as added by paragraph 
(1)), the Secretary may carry out any measure that the Sec-
retary determines to be necessary to control fire, insects, and 
diseases, subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary 
determines to be appropriate. 
(d) DURANGO AREA MINERAL WITHDRAWAL.— 
(1) WITHDRAWAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, the land 
and mineral interests described in paragraph (2) are withdrawn 
from all forms of— 
(A) entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public 
land laws; 
(B) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; 
and 
(C) disposition under all laws relating to mineral 
leasing, geothermal leasing, or mineral materials. 
(2) DESCRIPTION OF LAND AND MINERAL INTERESTS.—The 
land and mineral interests referred to in paragraph (1) are 
the Federal land and mineral interests generally depicted 
within the areas designated as ‘‘Withdrawal Areas’’ on the 
map entitled ‘‘Perins Peak & Animas City Mountain, Horse 
Gulch and Lake Nighthorse Mineral Withdrawal’’ and dated 
April 5, 2013. 
(3) PUBLIC PURPOSE CONVEYANCE.—Notwithstanding para-
graph (1), the Secretary of the Interior may convey any portion 
of the land described in paragraph (2) that is administered 
by the Bureau of Land Management to the City, the County, 
or the State— 
(A) pursuant to the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly 
known as the ‘‘Recreation and Public Purposes Act’’) (43 
U.S.C. 869 et seq.); or 
(B) by exchange in accordance with applicable laws 
(including regulations). 
(e) CONVEYANCE OF BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT LAND TO 
COUNTY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—On the expiration of the permit numbered 
COC 64651 (09) and dated February 24, 2009, on request 
and agreement of the County, the Secretary of the Interior 
shall convey to the County, without consideration and subject 
to valid existing rights, all right, title, and interest of the 
United States in and to the land described in paragraph (2), 
subject to— 
(A) paragraph (3);
H. R. 3979—534 
(B) the condition that the County shall pay all adminis-
trative and other costs associated with the conveyance; 
and 
(C) such other terms and conditions as the Secretary 
of the Interior determines to be necessary. 
(2) DESCRIPTION OF LAND.—The land referred to in para-
graph (1) consists of approximately 82 acres of land managed 
by the Bureau of Land Management, Tres Rios District, Colo-
rado, as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘La Plata 
County Grandview Conveyance’’ and dated May 5, 2014. 
(3) USE OF CONVEYED LAND.—The Federal land conveyed 
pursuant to this subsection may be used by the County for 
any public purpose, in accordance with the Act of June 14, 
1926 (commonly known as the ‘‘Recreation and Public Purposes 
Act’’) (43 U.S.C. 869 et seq.). 
(4) REVERSION.—If the County ceases to use a parcel of 
the Federal land conveyed pursuant to this subsection in accord-
ance with paragraph (1), title to the parcel shall revert to 
the Secretary of the Interior, at the option of the Secretary 
of the Interior. 
(f) MOLAS PASS RECREATION AREA; WILDERNESS STUDY AREA 
RELEASE; WILDERNESS STUDY AREA TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATIVE 
JURISDICTION.— 
(1) MOLAS PASS RECREATION AREA.— 
(A) DESIGNATION.—The approximately 461 acres of 
land in San Juan County, Colorado, that is generally 
depicted as ‘‘Molas Pass Recreation Area’’ on the map enti-
tled ‘‘Molas Pass Recreation Area and Molas Pass Wilder-
ness Study Area’’ and dated November 13, 2014, is des-
ignated as the ‘‘Molas Pass Recreation Area’’. 
(B) USE OF SNOWMOBILES.—The use of snowmobiles 
shall be authorized in the Molas Pass Recreation Area— 
(i) during periods of adequate snow coverage; 
(ii) in accordance with the Federal Land Policy 
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) 
and other applicable laws (including regulations); 
(iii) on designated trails for winter motorized travel 
and grooming; 
(iv) in designated areas for open area motorized 
travel; and 
(v) subject to such terms and conditions as the 
Secretary may require. 
(C) OTHER RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.—In addition 
to the uses authorized under subparagraph (B), the Sec-
retary may authorize other recreational uses in the Molas 
Pass Recreation Area. 
(2) MOLAS PASS WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.— 
(A) TRANSFER
OF
ADMINISTRATIVE
JURISDICTION.— 
Administrative jurisdiction over the Federal land generally 
depicted as ‘‘Molas Pass Wilderness Study Area’’ on the 
map entitled ‘‘Molas Pass Recreation Area and Molas Pass 
Wilderness Study Area’’, and dated November 13, 2014, 
is transferred from the Bureau of Land Management to 
the Forest Service. 
(B) ADMINISTRATION.—The Federal land described in 
subparagraph (A) shall—