Martin Heinrich (D-NM)
M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-237.
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. It designates several segments of the Gila River system in New Mexico as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, classifying them as wild, recreational, or scenic. 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 includes a boundary adjustment for the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and the Gila National Forest. Finally, the legislation includes provisions regarding land withdrawals and the protection of existing rights.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill protects river segments through wild and scenic designations and promotes fish habitat restoration.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill reorganizes administrative jurisdiction and designates river segments for protection.
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill explicitly protects the reserved treaty rights of Indian Tribes.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
The bill withdraws certain lands from mineral and geothermal leasing.
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill limits new land entries and mineral/geothermal leasing.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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River Designations: Various segments of the Gila River system will be designated as wild, recreational, or scenic rivers, which are administered by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture (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 mining/mineral leases, are not abrogated (Section 2(g)(1)).
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Tribal Rights Preservation: The legislation specifies that it does not alter, modify, or extinguish the reserved treaty rights of any Indian Tribe regarding hunting, fishing, gathering, or cultural/religious rights (Section 2(g)(8)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Land Withdrawal Restrictions: All Federal land within the boundaries of the designated river segments is withdrawn from forms of entry, appropriation, disposal, and certain types of mining or geothermal leasing (Section 2(c)).
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Land Acquisition Limitations: No land or interest in land can be acquired under this act without the consent of the owner (Section 2(g)(3)).
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 protects river segments through wild and scenic designations and promotes fish habitat restoration. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill reorganizes administrative jurisdiction and designates river segments for protection. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — The bill withdraws certain lands from mineral and geothermal leasing.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly protects the reserved treaty rights of Indian Tribes. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill may benefit rural residents through environmental preservation and potential recreational opportunities. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill limits new land entries and mineral/geothermal leasing.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill transfers administrative jurisdiction and implements land withdrawals.
- 12/2/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 119-237.
- 4/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico