Gabe Vasquez (D-NM)
M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act," aims to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to protect specific parts of the Gila River system in New Mexico. It designates numerous river segments, including those in Apache Creek, Black Canyon Creek, and Diamond Creek, as wild, scenic, or recreational rivers. The legislation also establishes a withdrawal of certain Federal lands from mining, mineral, and geothermal leasing. Additionally, the bill transfers administrative jurisdiction of approximately 440 acres of land from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior. This transfer results in a boundary adjustment for both the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and the Gila National Forest.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill designates specific river segments as wild and scenic to protect them and authorizes native fish habitat restoration.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill reorganizes administrative jurisdiction and incorporates land into the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument.
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill explicitly protects the reserved treaty rights of Indian Tribes regarding hunting, fishing, and cultural activities.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
The bill withdraws Federal lands from mining, mineral, and geothermal leasing, which limits extraction activities.
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
The withdrawal of lands from leasing may negatively impact businesses engaged in mining and mineral extraction.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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River Designations: Various segments of the Gila River system are designated as wild, scenic, or recreational rivers, which classifies them under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (Section 2(b)).
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Fish Habitat Restoration: The bill allows for the construction of new native fish habitat restoration projects, such as fish barriers, to help recover species like the Gila Trout (Section 2(g)(5)(B)).
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Protection of Existing Rights: The act ensures that existing rights, such as grazing permits, water rights, and valid mining/mineral leases, are not abrogated (Section 2(g)(1)).
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Protection of Treaty Rights: The bill explicitly states that it does not alter, modify, or extinguish the reserved treaty rights of any Indian Tribe regarding hunting, fishing, gathering, or cultural rights (Section 2(g)(8)).
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National Monument Expansion: The boundary of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is revised to incorporate approximately 440 acres of land (Section 3(b)(1)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Land Withdrawal Restrictions: All Federal land within the boundaries of the covered river segments is withdrawn from entry, appropriation, disposal, and various forms of mining and mineral/geothermal leasing (Section 2(c)).
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Transfer of Land Jurisdiction: Administrative jurisdiction over approximately 440 acres of land is transferred from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior, which modifies the boundaries of the Gila National Forest (Section 3(a) and 3(b)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill designates specific river segments as wild and scenic to protect them and authorizes native fish habitat restoration. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill reorganizes administrative jurisdiction and incorporates land into the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — The bill withdraws Federal lands from mining, mineral, and geothermal leasing, which limits extraction activities.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly protects the reserved treaty rights of Indian Tribes regarding hunting, fishing, and cultural activities. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill enhances recreational opportunities which can benefit local rural communities in New Mexico. Would business owners be better off under this? — The withdrawal of lands from leasing may negatively impact businesses engaged in mining and mineral extraction.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the role of the Secretary of the Interior and the National Park Service through land transfers.
- 4/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Teresa Leger FernandezDemocrat · New Mexico
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico