H.R. 10054 – Chama Basin Watershed Protection Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated August 14, 2026 at 4:21 AM UTC

The Chama Basin Watershed Protection Act would remove federal lands in the Rio Chama watershed of New Mexico from any kind of mineral leasing, mining claims, or patents. The withdrawal only applies to minerals owned by the United States and does not affect mineral rights held by Indian tribes or communities with historic Spanish‑Mexican land grants. It also preserves the ability of local residents and tribal members to gather common materials for personal, cultural, or agricultural uses.

Key Provisions

Federal land shown on the “Rio Chama Watershed Draft” map is withdrawn from all forms of mineral location, entry, and patent under mining laws.
The withdrawal does not impact mineral rights owned by Indian tribes or qualified land‑grant merced communities; their existing rights remain unchanged.
Traditional, customary, or personal collection of common minerals (e.g., sand, gravel, clay) by qualified communities or individuals is still allowed, as long as it complies with federal law and forest management rules.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

August 6, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

August 6, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

August 6, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued August 6, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10054

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 6, 2026

Ms. Leger Fernandez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To withdraw certain Federal land in the Rio Chama 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 Chama Basin Watershed Protection Act.

2.

Withdrawal of Federal land in Rio Chama Watershed area, New Mexico

(a)

Withdrawal

The Federal land located within the boundary area depicted as Rio Chama Watershed on the map entitled Rio Chama Watershed Draft and dated April 22, 2026, is withdrawn from all forms of location, entry, and patent under the mining laws.

(b)

Effect on non-Federal mineral interests

The withdrawal described in subsection (a) applies only to minerals owned by the United States and nothing in this Act affects, diminishes, impairs, encumbers, or otherwise applies to any right, title, interest, or claim in minerals owned by, held in trust on behalf of, or claimed by—

(1)

a qualified land grant-merced; or

(2)

an Indian Tribe.

(c)

Effect on traditional and customary uses

Nothing in this Act prohibits, restricts, or otherwise affects the traditional, customary, or personal use, gathering, or collection of common variety minerals, stone, sand, gravel, clay, adobe, mineral earths, or other similar materials by members of a qualified land grant-merced or acequia community, or by other individuals, for domestic, cultural, religious, ceremonial, subsistence, agricultural, or noncommercial construction purposes, consistent with applicable Federal law and the management of the National Forest System.

(d)

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Indian Tribe

The term Indian Tribe means the governing body of any individually identified and federally recognized Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, affiliated Tribal group, or component reservation included on the most recent list published pursuant to section 104(a) of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131(a)).

(2)

Qualified land grant-merced

The term qualified land grant-merced means a community land grant issued under the laws or customs of the Government of Spain or Mexico that—

(A)

is recognized under New Mexico Statutes Chapter 49, Articles 1 and 4 (or a successor statute); and

(B)

(i)

has a record of historical or traditional use on Federal land within the boundary area described in subsection (a); or

(ii)

has a patented exterior boundary that is or previously was located on or adjacent to Federal land within the boundary area described in subsection (a).