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Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Act
3/14/2024, 12:48 PM
Congressional Summary of S 776
Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Act - Title I: Addition to the National Wilderness Preservation System - (Sec. 101) Designates approximately 45,000 acres of specified land in Carson National Forest in New Mexico as: (1) the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness, and (2) a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. States that Congress does not intend for the designation to create a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the Wilderness.
Authorizes the grazing of livestock to continue in the wilderness if grazing was established before this Act's enactment, and if it proceeds in accordance with specified guidelines.
Releases any federal land within the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Study Area administered by the Forest Service that is not designated as wilderness by this Act from further review for designation as wilderness.
(Sec. 102) Modifies the boundary of the Wheeler Peak Wilderness in New Mexico.
Title II: Land Conveyances and Sales - (Sec. 201) Directs Department of Agriculture (USDA) to convey to the town of Red River, New Mexico, without consideration and by quitclaim deed, one or more of Parcels, 1, 2, 3, and 4 of federal land in Taos County, New Mexico. Subjects the conveyance to public rights-of-way through Parcels 1, 3, and 4 and an administrative right-of-way through Parcel 2 reserved by the United States. Requires the town to use Parcel 1 for a wastewater treatment plant, Parcel 2 for a cemetery, Parcel 3 for a public park, and Parcel 4 for a public road.
(Sec. 202) Directs USDA to convey approximately 4.6 acres of National Forest System land to the village of Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico. Subjects the conveyance to an administrative right-of-way reserved to the United States. Directs the Village to use the land for a wastewater treatment plant.
(Sec. 203) Authorizes the USDA to convey at fair market value: (1) 0.2 acres of National Forest System land in New Mexico depicted as Parcel 5 to the holder of the permit numbered,"QUE302101," and (2) 0.1 acres of National Forest System land depicted as Parcel 6 to the owner of the private property adjacent to that parcel. Requires proceeds from the sale to be deposited in the Sisk Act fund.
