New Mexico Wilderness Act of 1980
PL 96-550 (H.R.8298), enacted 12/19/1980

PUBLIC LAW 96-550—DEC. 19, 1980 
94 STAT. 3221 
Public Law 96-550 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To designate certein National Forest System lands in the State of New Mexico for 
inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
TITLE I 
SEC. 101. The purposes of this Act are to— 
(1) designate certain National Forest System lands in New 
Mexico for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation 
System in order to promote, perpetuate, and preserve the wilder-
ness character of the land, to protect watersheds and wildlife 
habitat, preserve scenic and historic resources, and to promote 
scientific research, primitive recreation, solitude, physical and 
mental challenge, and inspiration for the benefit of all the 
American people; 
(2) insure that certain other National Forest System lands in 
New Mexico be promptly available for nonwilderness uses 
including, but not limited to, campground and other recreation 
site development, timber harvesting, intensive range manage-
ment, mineral development, and watershed and vegetation 
manipulation; and 
(3) designate certain other National Forest System land in New 
Mexico for further study in furtherance of the purposes of the 
Wilderness Act. 
SEC. 102. (a) In furtherance of the purposes of the Wilderness Act, 
the following National Forest System lands in the State of New 
Mexico are hereby designated as wilderness, and therefore, as compo-
nents of the National Wilderness Preservation System— 
(1) certain lands in the Gila National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately two hundred and eleven thou-
sand three hundred acres, as generally depicted on a map 
entitled "Aldo Leopold Wilderness—Proposed", dated August 
1980, and which shall be known as the Aldo Leopold Wilderness; 
(2) certain lands in the Cibola National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately fortv-five thousand acres, as 
generally depicted on a map entitled 'Apache Kid Wilderness— 
Proposed", dated November 1980, and which shall be known as 
the Apache Kid Wilderness; 
(3) certain lands in the Apache and Gila National Forests, New 
Mexico, which comprise approximately thirty thousand acres, as 
generally depicted on a map entitled Blue Range Wilderness— 
Proposed", dated August 1980, and which shall be known as the 
Blue Range Wilderness; 
(4) certain lands in the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately thirty-four thousand acres, as 
generally depicted on a map entitled "Capitan Mountains Wil-
Dec. 19, 1980 
[H.R. 8298] 
National Forest 
System lands, 
N. Mex. 
Designation. 
16 u s e 1131 
note. 
16 u s e 1132 
note. 
16 u s e 1132 
note. 
16 u s e 1132 
note. 
16 u s e 1132 
note. 
79-194 
O—81—pt. 3 
37 : QL3 
94 STAT. 3222 
PUBLIC LAW 96-550—DEC. 19, 1980 
16 use 1132 
note. 
16 use 1132 
note. 
16 use 1131 
note. 
16 use 1132 
note. 
16 use 1132 
note. 
derness—Proposed", dated August 1980, and which shall be 
known as the Capitan Mountains Wilderness; 
(5) certain lands in the Carson National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately eighteen thousand acres, as gen-
erally depicted on a map entitled "Cruces Basin Wilderness— 
Proposed", dated November 1980, and which shall be known as 
the Cruces Basin Wilderness: Provided, however, That the desig-
nation of this area as wilderness shall not interfere with the 
construction of additional fencing authorized by the grazing 
allotment management plan for the area, and shall not be cause 
to require reductions in existing potential animal unit months 
under the applicable grazing allotment management plan for the 
area; 
(6) certain lands in the Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately five thousand two hundred acres, 
as generally depicted on a map entitled "Dome Wilderness— 
Proposed", dated August 1980, and which shall be known as the 
Dome Wilderness; 
(7) certain lands in the Gila National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately one hundred and forty thousand 
acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled "Gila Wilderness 
Additions—Proposed", dated November 1980, and which are 
hereby incorporated in and shall be deemed a part of the Gila 
Wilderness as designated by Public Law 88-577; 
(8) certain lands in the Carson National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately twenty thousand acres, as gener-
ally depicted on a map entitled "Latir Peak Wilderness—Pro-
posed", dated November 1980, and which shall be known as the 
Latir Peak Wilderness; 
(9) certain lands in the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests, 
New Mexico, which comprise approximately fifty-five thousand 
acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled "Pecos Wilderness 
Additions—Proposed", dated November 1980, and which are 
hereby incorporated in and shall be deemed a part of the Pecos 
Wilderness as designated by Public Law 88-577: Provided, That 
nothing in this Act shall interfere with the management of, or 
rules, regulations and law applying to the Santa Fe Municipal 
Watershed; 
(10) certain lands in the Carson National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately fourteen thousand seven hundred 
acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled "Wheeler Peak 
Wilderness Additions—Proposed", dated November 1980, and 
which are hereby incorporated in and shall be deemed to be a 
part of the Wheeler Peak Wilderness as designated by Public 
Law 88-577; 
(11) certain lands in the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately sixteen thousand eight hundred 
and sixty acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled "White 
Mountain Wilderness Additions—Proposed", dated August 1980, 
and which are hereby incorporated in and shall be deemed to be a 
part of the White Mountain Wilderness as designated by Public 
Law 88-577; 
(12) certain lands in the Cibola National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately nineteen thousand acres, as gen-
erally depicted on a map entitled "Withington Wilderness— 
Proposed", dated August 1980, and which shall be known as the 
Withington Wilderness; 
PUBLIC LAW 96-550—DEC. 19, 1980 
94 STAT. 3223 
(b) The previous classifications of the Black Range Primitive Area, 
the Blue Range Primitive Area in the State of New Mexico, and the 
Gila Primitive Area are hereby abolished. 
(c) As soon as practicable after this Act takes effect, the Secretary 
of Agriculture shall file the maps referred to in this Act and legal 
descriptions of each wilderness area designated by this Act with the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, 
and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, United States 
House of Representatives, and each such map and legal description 
shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act: 
Provided, however, That correction of clerical and typographical 
errors in such legal descriptions and maps may be made. Each such 
map and legal description shall be on file and available for public 
inspection in the office of the Chief of the Forest Service, Department 
of Agriculture. 
(d) Subject to valid existing rights, each wilderness area designated 
by this Act shall be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture in 
accordance with the provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 
892) governing areas designated by that Act as wilderness areas, 
except that, with respect to any area designated in this Act, any 
reference in such provisions to the effective date of the Wilderness 
Act of 1964 shall be deemed to be a reference to the effective date of 
this Act. 
SEC. 103. (a) The Secretary of Agriculture shall review the following 
lands, in conjunction with the requirements of the National Forest 
Management Act of 1976 and in furtherance of the purposes of the 
Wilderness Act, as to their suitability or nonsuitability for preserva-
tion as wilderness, and shall submit his report and findings to the 
President, and the President shall submit his recommendations to 
the United States Senate and the United States House of Representa-
tives no later than January 1,1986: 
(1) Certain lands in the Coronado National Forest, New 
Mexico, which comprise approximately fifteen thousand one 
hundred and ten acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled 
"Bunk Robinson Wilderness Study Area—Proposed", dated 
November 1980, and which shall be known as the Bunk Robinson 
Wilderness Study Area. 
(2) Certain lands in the Carson National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately forty-six thousand acres, as gen-
erally depicted on a map entitled "Columbine Hondo Wilderness 
Study Area—Proposed", dated November 1980, and which shall 
be known as the Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area. 
(3) Certain lands in the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately twenty-one thousand acres, as 
generally depicted on a map entitled "Guadalupe Escarpment 
Wilderness Study Area—Proposed", dated November 1980, and 
which shall be known as the Guadalupe Escarpment Wilderness 
Study Area. 
(4) Certain lands in the Gila National Forest, New Mexico, 
which comprise approximately eighteen thousand eight hundred 
and sixty acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled "Hell 
Hole Wilderness Study Area—Proposed", dated November 1980, 
and which shall be known as the Hell Hole Wilderness Study 
Area. 
(5) Certain lands in the Apache and Gila National Forests, New 
Mexico, which comprise approximately eight thousand eight 
hundred acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled "Lower 
San Francisco Wilderness Study Area—Proposed", dated 
Maps and legal 
descriptions, 
filing with 
congressional 
committees. 
16 u s e 1131 
note. 
Lands review, 
report to 
President and 
Presidential 
recommenda-
tions to 
Congress. 
16 u s e 1132 
note. 
16 u s e 1600 
note, 1131 note. 
94 STAT. 3224 
PUBLIC LAW 96-550—DEC. 19, 1980 
November 1980, and which shall be known as the Lower San 
Francisco Wilderness Study Area. 
(6) Certain lands in the Coronado National Forest, New 
Mexico, which comprise approximately seven thousand seven 
hundred and sixty acres, as generally depicted on a map entitled 
"Whitmire Canyon Wilderness Study Area—Proposed", dated 
November 1980, and which shall be known as the Whitmire 
Canyon Wilderness Study Area. 
Administration. 
(b) Subject to valid existing rights, the wilderness study areas 
designated by this section shall, until Congress determines otherwise, 
be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture so as to maintain 
their presently existing wilderness character and potential for inclu-
sion in the National Wilderness Preservation System: Provided, That 
within the areas, current levels of motorized and other uses and 
improvements shall be permitted to continue subject to such reason-
able rules and regulations as the Secretary of Agriculture shall 
prescribe. 
SEC. 104. (a) The Congress finds that— 
(1) the Department of Agriculture has completed the second 
roadless area review and evaluation program (RARE II); and 
(2) the Congress has made its own review and examination of 
National Forest System roadless areas in the State of New 
Mexico and of the environmental impacts associated with alter-
native allocations of such areas. 
(b) On the basis of such review, the Congress hereby determines and 
directs that— 
(1) without passing on the question of the legal and factual 
sufficiency of the RARE II Final Environmental Statement 
(dated January 1979) with respect to National Forest System 
lands in States other than New Mexico such statement shall not 
be subject to judicial review with respect to National Forest 
System lands in the State of New Mexico; 
(2) with respect to the National Forest System lands in the 
State of New Mexico which were reviewed by the Department of 
Agriculture in the second roadless area review and evaluation 
(RARE II), except those areas designated for Wilderness Study by 
section 103 of this Act, or designated as wilderness by this Act, 
that review and evaluation shall be deemed for the purposes of 
the initial land management plans required for such lands by the 
Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 
1974 as amended by the National Forest Management Act of 
16 use 1600 
1976 to be an adequate consideration of the suitability of such 
"°*® 
lands for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation 
System, and the Department of Agriculture shall not be required 
to review the wilderness option prior to the revision of the initial 
plans, and in no case prior to the date established by law for 
completion of the initial planning cycle; 
(3) areas in the State of New Mexico reviewed in such Final 
Environmental Statement and not designated as wilderness, or 
for wilderness study by this Act need not be managed for the 
purpose of protecting their suitability for wilderness designation 
pending revision of the initial plans. 
(c) Unless expressly authorized by Congress, the Secretary shall not 
conduct any further statewide roadless area review and evaluation of 
National Forest System lands in the State of New Mexico for the 
purpose of determining their suitability for inclusion in the National 
Wilderness Preservation System. 
PUBLIC LAW 96-550—DEC. 19, 1980 
94 STAT. 3225 
SEC. 105. Congress does not intend that designation of wilderness 
areas in the State of New Mexico lead to the creation of protective 
perimeters or buffer zones around each wilderness area. The fact that 
nonwilderness activities or uses can be seen or heard from areas 
within the wilderness shall not, of itself, preclude such activities or 
uses up to the boundary of the wilderness area. 
TITLE II—TO ESTABLISH THE LANGMUIR RESEARCH SITE 
IN THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO 
SEC. 201. That in order to encourage scientific research into 
atmospheric processes and astronomical phenomena, and to preserve 
conditions necessary for that research, there is hereby established 
the Langmuir Research Site (hereinafter referred to as the "research 
site") in the Cibola National Forest in the State of New Mexico. 
SEC. 202. The Congress finds that the high altitude and freedom 
from air pollution and night luminosity caused by human activity, 
make the research site uniquely suited to the conduct of research 
probes into thunder clouds and for other atmospheric and astronomi-
cal research purposes. 
SEC. 203. The Secretary of Agriculture shall administer, protect, 
and regulate use of the research site in accordance with the laws, 
rules, and regulations applicable to National Forest System lands, 
and in such manner as will best contribute to purposes of this Act. 
SEC. 204. The Secretary of Agriculture in furtherance of the 
purposes of this Act, is hereby authorized, and directed, to enter into 
an appropriate land use agreement with New Mexico Institute of 
Mining and Technology for the Langmuir Research Site for the 
purpose of establishing conditions for use of the national forest land, 
and to set forth working relationships during such period of use. 
SEC. 205. (a) The research site shall consist of approximately thirty-
one thousand acres, including a principle research facility of approxi-
mately one thousand acres. The boundaries are depicted on a map 
entitled "Langmuir Research Site", dated August 1980, which is on 
file and available for public inspection in the office of the Chief, 
Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 
(b) As soon as practicable, after enactment of this Act, the Secre-
tary of Agriculture shall develop a comprehensive management plan 
for the research site consistent with requirements of the National 
Forest Management Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-588) (16 U.S.C. 1604), 
which shall be incorporated into the initial Cibola National Forest 
land and resource management plan as provided for under that Act. 
(c) Following timely notice in writing to the Committee on Interior 
and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Commit-
tee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate of his intention to 
do so, the Secretary may make minor adjustments in the boundaries 
of the research site to provide for more effective management or to 
encourage further research activity. For the purposes of this subsec-
tion, minor boundary adjustments shall not increase or decrease the 
amount of land within the research site by more than seven thousand 
acres. 
(d) In developing the plan, the Secretary shall consult with the 
National Science Foundation, the New Mexico Institute of Mining 
and Technology, the New Mexico Academy of Science and appropri-
ate conservation, wilderness, wildlife, industry, and other public 
interest groups. 
Establishment. 
16 u s e 542. 
16 u s e 542a. 
Administration. 
16 u s e 542b. 
Land use 
agreement. 
16 u s e 542c. 
16 u s e 542d. 
Management 
plan, 
development. 
Minor boundary 
adjustments, 
notice to 
congressional 
committees. 
94 STAT. 3226 
PUBLIC LAW 96-550—DEC. 19, 1980 
Management. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
42 u s e 5121 
note. 
(e) The plan shall prescribe specific research and management 
objectives necessary for the protection, management, and regulation 
of the research site as outlined in subsection (f) of this section. 
(f) The research site shall be managed in accordance with the 
following objectives: 
(1) The principal research facility shall be managed primarily 
for scientific research purposes. Dispersed recreation, grazing, 
and other uses which the Secretary determines to be compatible 
with scientific research may be permitted. 
(2) The research site shall be managed to enhance scientific 
research objectives. Scientific research activities and associated 
research equipment and structures shall be permitted within the 
research site in accordance with the plan. 
(3) Roads shall be limited to those necessary for scientific 
research activities and other reasonable activities as determined 
by the Secretary. Motor vehicle use shall be restricted to roads 
designated in the plan. 
(4) The landing of small instrumented research rockets shall be 
permitted to continue in portions of the research site designated 
for such purposes in the plan. 
TITLE III—FOR THE RELIEF OF ALBERT AND EULALIA 
RODRIGUEZ 
SEC. 301. The Secretary of the Interior is authorized and directed to 
reimburse Albert and Eulalia Rodriguez for improvements to land 
situated in section 5, township 25 north, range 13 east of the New 
Mexico principal meridian within the Taos Pueblo Grant, State of 
New Mexico. 
SEC. 302. Beginning October 1, 1981, there is hereby authorized to 
be appropriated not more than $20,000 for the purposes of this Act. 
TITLE IV—FOR THE RELIEF OF THE VERMEJO 
CONSERVANCY DISTRICT 
SEC. 401. That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary of the Interior is authorized, subject to the written consent 
of the Vermejo Conservancy District, to amend contract numbered 
178r-458, dated August 7, 1952, as amended, between the Vermejo 
Conservancy District, located in the State of New Mexico, and the 
United States for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the 
Vermejo reclamation project, to defer payments on the remaining 
repayment obligation of the Vermejo Conservancy District under 
such contract, until such time or times as the Secretary determines 
additional repayment to be reasonably feasible, to relieve the district 
of such other penalties, assessments, or costs, including interest, 
which have accrued or may become due under the existing contract 
prior to enactment of this Act, and to transfer all right, title, and 
interest in or to the project facilities serving the Vermejo Conserv-
ancy District: Provided, That the Vermejo Conservancy District shall, 
to the extent practicable, continue to operate and maintain the 
facilities of the Vermejo project for the benefit of all authorized 
project beneficiaries, including the Maxwell National Wildlife 
Refuge, and in accordance with the authorized project purposes: 
Provided further. That with the exception of assistance, if needed, 
under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, as amended, the Federal 
Government shall incur no further expense on behalf of the Vermejo 
project or the Vermejo Conservancy District for the operation and 
PUBLIC LAW 96-550—DEC. 19, 1980 
94 STAT. 3227 
maintenance or rehabilitation of existing facilities or for the develop-
ment of any new facilities related to the delivery or impoundment of 
water, and further Federal expenditures related to the Vermejo 
Federal reclamation project shall be limited to administration of such 
amended contract for the purpose of determining and obtaining such 
reasonable repayment as may be feasible, and to necessary expenses 
for fish and wildlife purposes. Transfer of project facilities to the 
district shall be without any additional consideration in excess of the 
existing repayment obligation of the district, and shall include any 
related lands or interest in lands acquired by the Federal Govern-
ment for the project, except that any lands or interests in land, or 
interests in water, or other contractual arrangements which may be 
held by the Secretary for management of the Maxwell National 
Wildlife Refuge, for wildlife enhancement purposes, shall not be 
transferred and shall be maintained consistently with existing 
arrangements. Any amended contract which provides for deferral of 
the district's repayment obligation shall provide that the obligation 
shall continue in effect until repaid or for the useful life of the 
existing facilities, and the Secretary shall provide for a flexible plan 
of repayment of the remaining obligation of the district according to 
the district's ability to repay as determined by the Secretary. Deter-
minations of ability to repay shall include water deliveries achieved 
in a given year, as well as such other factors as the Secretary 
considers to be pertinent. 
TITLE V—CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK 
SEC. 501. (a) The Congress finds that— 
16 use 4l0ii. 
(1) archeological research in the San Juan Basin conducted 
over the past several years has greatly increased public knowl-
edge of the scope of the prehistoric culture referred to as Chacoan 
Anasazi; 
(2) the discoveries and the increased general interest in the 
Chaco phenomenon have come at a time when the San Juan 
Basin is experiencing extensive exploration and development for 
a wide variety of energy-related resources, including coal, 
uranium, oil, and natural gas; 
(3) development of the San Juan Basin's important natural 
resources and the valid existing rights of private property owners 
will not be adversely affected by the preservation of the archeo-
logical integrity of the area; and 
(4) in light of the national significance of the Chacoan sites and 
the urgent need to protect them, continued cooperation between 
Federal agencies and private corporations is necessary to provide 
for development in the San Juan Basin in a manner compatible 
with preservation and archeological research. 
(b) It is the purpose of this title to recognize the unique archeologi-
cal resources associated with the prehistoric Chacoan culture in the 
San Juan Basin; to provide for the preservation and interpretation of 
these resources; and to facilitate research activities associated with 
these resources. 
SEC. 502. (a) There is hereby established in the State of New Mexico, Establishment. 
the Chaco Culture National Historical Park comprising approxi- 16 USC 4l0ii-i. 
mately thirty three thousand nine hundred and eighty nine acres as 
generally depicted on the map entitled "Chaco Culture National 
Historical Park", numbered 310/80,032-A and dated August 1979. 
The Chaco Canyon National Monument is hereby abolished, as such. Abolishment. 
and any funds available for the purpose of the monument shall be 16 use 431 note. 
94 STAT. 3228 
PUBLIC LAW 96-550—DEC. 19, 1980 
List additions or 
deletions, 
submittal to 
Congress. 
16 u s e 410ii-2. 
Supra. 
Lands, waters, 
and interests, 
acquisition. 
16 u s e 410ii-3. 
available for the purpose of the Chaco Culture National Historical 
Park. 
(b) Thirty three outlying sites generally depicted on a map entitled 
"Chaco Culture Archeological Protection Sites", numbered 310/ 
80,033-A and dated August 1980, are hereby designated as "Chaco 
Culture Archeological Protection Sites". The thirty three archeologi-
cal protection sites totaling approximately eight thousand seven 
hundred and seventy one acres are identified as follows: 
Name: 
Acres 
Allentown 
42 
Andrews Ranch 
640 
Bee Burrow 
40 
Bisa'ani 
131 
easa del Rio 
40 
eoolidge 
15 
Dalton Pass 
10 
Great Bend 
19 
Greenlee Ruin 
60 
Grey Hill Spring 
23 
Halfway House 
40 
Haystack 
115 
Hogback 
371 
Indian Creek 
100 
Jacques 
40 
KinNizhoni 
726 
Lake Valley 
30 
Las Ventanas 
31 
Morris 41 
85 
Muddy Water 
1,210 
Newcomb 
44 
Peach Springs 
985 
Pierre's Site 
440 
Raton Well 
23 
San Mateo 
14 
Sanostee 
1,565 
Section 8 
40 
Skunk Springs/Crumbled House 
588 
Standing Rock 
321 
Twin Angels 
40 
Toh-la-kai 
10 
Upper Kin Klizhin 
60 
Squaw Springs 
870 
SEC. 503. The Secretary of the Interior shall continue to search for 
additional evidences of Chacoan sites and submit to Congress within 
two years of date of enactment of this Act and thereafter as needed, 
his recommendations for additions to, or deletions from, the list of 
archeological protection sites in section 50203) of this title. Additions 
to or deletions from such list shall be made only by an Act of 
Congress. 
SEC. 504. (a) The Secretary is authorized to acquire lands, waters, 
and interests therein within the boundaries of the Chaco Culture 
National Historical Park (hereinafter referred to as the "park") and 
the archeological protection sites as identified in section 502 of this 
title by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or 
exchange. Property owned by the State of New Mexico or any 
political subdivision thereof, may be acquired by exchange or dona-
tion only. Property held in trust for the benefit of any Indian tribe or 
for the benefit of any individual member thereof may be acquired 
only with the consent of such owner or beneficial owner as the case 
may be. 
(b) The respective tribal authorities are authorized to convey by 
exchange, purchase, on donation the beneficial interest in any lands 
designated by section 502 of this Act and held in trust by the United 
States for the respective tribes, to the Secretary, subject to such terms 
PUBLIC LAW 96-550—DEC. 19, 1980 
94 STAT. 3229 
and conditions as the tribal authority deems necessary, and which the 
Secretary deems are consistent with the purposes of this title. 
(c)(1) The Secretary shall attempt to acquire private lands or 
interests therein by exchange prior to acquiring lands by any other 
method authorized pursuant to section 504 of this Act. 
(2) The Secretary shall attempt to enter into cooperative agree-
ments pursuant to section 505 of this Act with owners of private 
property for those archeological protection sites described in section 
502(b) of this Act. The Secretary shall acquire fee title to any such 
private property only if it is necessary to prevent direct and material 
damage to, or destruction of, Chaco cultural resources and no cooper-
ative agreement with the owner of the private property interest can 
be effected. 
(d)(1) For purposes of completing an exchange pursuant to subsec-
tions (a) and O
t
>
)
, the Secretary shall designate a pool of at least three 
times the private acreage described in subsections (a) and (b), com-
prised of Federal property interests of a similar resource character to 
property to be exchanged. Federal property shall, whenever possible, 
be designated in blocks of at least one section in size, but in no event 
shall the blocks designated be less than one-quarter of a section in 
size. 
(2) The Secretary may include within the pool any Federal property 
under his jurisdiction except units of the National Park System, 
National Forest System, or the National Wildlife Refuge System that 
are nominated by the owner of the private property to be exchanged. 
Exchanges shall be on the basis of equal value, and either party to the 
exchange may pay or accept cash in order to equalize the value of the 
property exchange, except that if the parties agree to an exchange 
and the Secretary determines it is in the public interest, such 
exchange may be made for other than equal values. 
(e) All Federal lands, waters, and interests therein excluded from 
the boundaries of Chaco Canyon National Monument by this title 
may be exchanged for non-Federal property to be acquired pursuant 
to this title. Any lands so excluded shall be managed by the Secretary 
under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management 
Act of 1976. Transfer of administration of such lands to the Bureau of 
Land Management shall not be considered a withdrawal as that term 
is defined in section 103(j) of the Federal Land Policy and Manage-
ment Act of 1976. 
SEC. 505. The Secretary shall seek to enter into cooperative agree-
ments with the owners, including the beneficial owners, of the 
properties located in whole or in part within the park or the 
archeological protection sites. The purposes of such agreements shall 
be to protect, preserve, maintain, and administer the archeological 
resources and associated site regardless of whether title to the 
property or site is vested in the United States. Any such agreement 
shall contain provisions to assure that (1) the Secretary, or his 
representative, shall have a right of access at all reasonable times to 
appropriate portions of the property for the purpose of cultural 
resource protection and conducting research, and (2) no changes or 
alterations shall be permitted with respect to the cultural resources 
without the written consent of the Secretary. Nothing in this title 
shall be deemed to prevent the continuation of traditional Native 
American religious uses of properties which are the subject of 
cooperative agreements. 
SEC. 506. (a) The Secretary shall administer the park in accordance 
with the provisions of this title and the provisions of law generally 
applicable to the administration of units of the National Park 
Private lands or 
interests, 
acquisition. 
Private property 
owners, 
cooperative 
agreements. 
Federal property 
pool, 
designation. 
Federal lands 
exchanged for 
non-Federal 
property. 
43 u s e 1701 
note. 
43 u s e 1702. 
16 u s e 410ii-4. 
Administration. 
16 u s e 410ii-5. 
94 STAT. 3230 
PUBLIC LAW 96-550—DEC. 19, 1980 
43 u s e 1702. 
General 
management 
plan, transmittal 
to congressional 
committees. 
16 u s e la-7. 
16 u s e 410ii-6. 
Plan, submittal 
to congressional 
committees. 
eomputer-
generated data 
base, 
development. 
System, including the Act of August 25,1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1, 
2-4), and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461-7). 
(b) The Secretary shall protect, preserve, maintain, and administer 
the Chaco Culture Archeological Protection Sites, in a manner that 
will preserve the Chaco cultural resource and provide for its interpre-
tation and research. Such sites shall be managed by the Secretary in 
accordance with the provisions of this title and the provisions of law 
generally applicable to public lands as defined in section 103(e) of the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976: Provided, how-
ever, That lands held in trust by the Secretary for an Indian tribe or 
any individual member thereof, or held in restricted fee status shall 
continue to be so managed or held by the Secretary. 
(c) No activities shall be permitted upon the upper surface of the 
archeological protection sites which shall endanger their cultural 
values. For the purposes of this title, upper surface shall be consid-
ered to extend to a depth of twenty meters below ground level. 
Nothing in this title shall be deemed to prevent exploration and 
development of subsurface oil and gas, mineral, and coal resources 
from without the sites which does not infringe upon the upper surface 
of the sites. 
(d) Nothing in this title shall be deemed to prevent the continuation 
of livestock grazing on properties which are the subject of cooperative 
agreements. 
(e) Within three complete fiscal years from the date of enactment, 
the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Interior and 
Insular Affairs of the United States House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States 
Senate, a general management plan for the identification, research, 
and protection of the park, pursuant to the provisions of subsection 
(12)(b) of the Act of August 18, 1970, to be developed by the Director, 
National Park Service, in consultation with the Directors, Bureau of 
Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Governor, 
State of New Mexico, and a joint management plan for the identifica-
tion, research, and protection of the archeological protection sites, to 
be developed by the Director, National Park Service, in consultation 
and concurrence with the Directors, Bureau of Land Management 
and Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Governor, State of New 
Mexico. 
SEC. 507. (a) Consistent with and in furtherance of the purposes of 
the Division of Cultural Research of the Southwest Cultural Re-
sources Center, operated by the National Park Service, the Secretary 
shall continue such research and data gathering activities as may be 
appropriate to further the purposes of this title and knowledge of the 
Chaco culture. The Secretary shall submit in writing within six 
months of the effective date of this section, to the Committee on 
Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of Repre-
sentatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
the United States Senate, a plan for the continued operational 
program of the Division. The Secretary is authorized and encouraged 
to establish a committee composed of professional archeologists and 
others with related professional expertise including the designee of 
the Governor of the State of New Mexico to advise the Secretary in 
matters related to the surveying, excavation, curation, interpreta-
tion, protection, and management of the cultural resources of the 
historical park and archeological protection sites. 
(b) The Secretary shall, through the Division of Cultural Research 
of the Southwest Cultural Resources Center of the National Park 
Service, be responsible for the development of a computer-generated 
PUBLIC LAW 96-550—DEC. 19, 1980 
94 STAT. 3231 
data base of the San Juan Basin, and make such information 
available to Federal and private groups when to do so will assist such 
groups in the preservation, management, and development of the 
resources of the basin. 
(c) The head of any Federal agency having direct or indirect 
jurisdiction over a proposed Federal or federally assisted undertaking 
with respect to the lands and waters in the archeological protection 
sites, and the head of any Federal agency having authority to license 
or permit any undertaking with respect to such lands and waters, 
shall prior to the approval of the expenditure of any Federal funds on 
such undertaking, or prior to the issuance of any license or permit, as 
the case may be, afford the Secretary a reasonable opportunity to 
comment in writing with regard to such undertaking and its effect 
upon such sites, and shall give due consideration to any comments 
made by the Secretary and to the effect of such undertaking on the 
purposes for which such sites are established. 
SEC. 508. Effective October 1, 1981, there are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the 
provisions of this title but not to exceed $11,000,000 for acquisition 
and $500,000 for development. 
TITLE VI—SALINAS NATIONAL MONUMENT 
SEC. 601. (a) In order to set apart and preserve for the benefit and 
enjoyment of the American people the ruins of prehistoric Indian 
pueblos and associated seventeenth century Franciscan Spanish 
mission ruins, the Secretary is authorized to acquire by donation, or 
by purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or otherwise, not to 
exceed four hundred and sixty six acres of land in the State of New 
Mexico which, in addition to the lands now comprising Gran Quivira 
National Monument, shall be designated as the Salinas National 
Monument. The Secretary is further authorized to acquire, in or near 
the town of Mountainair, such additional lands as may be necessary 
for an administrative site for the monument. 
(b) Gran Quivira National Monument is hereby abolished as such, 
and any funds available for purposes of the monument shall be 
available for purposes of the Salinas National Monument. 
(c) The Secretary shall administer and protect the monument in 
accordance with the provisions of this section and the provisions of 
law generally applicable to the administration of units of the national 
park system, including the Act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 
U.S.C. 1, 2-4), and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 
461-467). The Secretary is encouraged to transfer to the employment 
of the National Park Service such personnel associated with the 
administration of the State-owned lands as are interested in and 
qualified for such transfer, as such State lands are acquired by the 
Secretary. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
16 u s e 410ii-7. 
Designation. 
16 u s e 431 note. 
Additional 
lands, 
acquisition. 
Abolishment. 
16 u s e 431 note. 
Administration. 
Personnel 
transfer. 
94 STAT. 3232 
PUBLIC LAW 96-550—DEC. 19, 1980 
Appropriation 
(d) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
authorization. 
j^^y j^g necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, but not to 
exceed $1,140,000 for acquisition and $500,000 for development. 
Approved December 19, 1980. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. Vol. 126 (1980): 
Nov. 21, considered and passed House. 
Dec. 1, considered and passed Senate.