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S. 182Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Pecos Watershed Protection Act

Sponsored by Martin HeinrichSen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
Introduced February 2, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 10:00 PM UTC

The Pecos Watershed Protection Act would remove certain federal lands in the Pecos Watershed of New Mexico from eligibility for mineral and geothermal leasing and mining. It defines the withdrawn area using a specific map and ensures that any existing valid mineral rights remain in place. The bill affects federal land managers, mining companies, and other parties seeking to develop mineral resources on that land.

Key Provisions

  • Defines “Federal land” as the area shown as “Pecos Withdrawal” on the September 1, 2020 map of the Pecos Watershed upstream of I‑25.
  • Withdraws that land from all forms of entry, appropriation, disposal, and leasing under public‑land, mining, and mineral/geothermal laws.
  • Preserves any valid mineral rights that existed on the land as of the enactment date.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions
SenateCommittee Latest Action

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Failed to report favorably.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

May 3, 2022

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 2, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

February 2, 2021

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee

June 16, 2021

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Failed to report favorably.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

May 3, 2022

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S. 182 on the floor

1 Democrat
Joe Manchin III
Sen. Joe Manchin IIID-WV · May 3, 2022

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to print the following letter in the Congressional Record.

Record

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued February 2, 2021

II

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 182

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 2, 2021

Mr. Heinrich (for himself and Mr. Luján) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To withdraw certain Federal land in the Pecos Watershed area of the State of New Mexico from mineral entry, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Pecos Watershed Protection Act.

2.

Withdrawal of Federal land in Pecos Watershed area, New Mexico

(a)

Definition of Federal land

In this section, the term Federal land means the Federal land depicted as Pecos Withdrawal on the map entitled Pecos Watershed, upstream of I–25 Mineral Withdrawal and dated September 1, 2020.

(b)

Withdrawal

Subject to valid rights in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal land is withdrawn from all forms of—

(1)

entry, appropriation, or disposal under the public land laws;

(2)

location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and

(3)

disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral and geothermal leasing or mineral materials.