Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act
This bill would create two new federally protected areas in Colorado focused on the Dolores River: a Dolores River National Conservation Area (NCA) on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and a Dolores River Special Management Area (SMA) on San Juan National Forest land. Together, they cover roughly 68,324 acres and are designed to conserve native fish, whitewater recreation, and related natural, cultural, and watershed resources. The bill requires formal management plans within three years, establishes a 14-member advisory council to guide planning and implementation, and sets forth protections for water rights, private property, tribal rights, and existing energy leases. It also includes a mechanism to limit or exclude certain river-designation processes under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act for the Dolores River segments within these areas. In addition to conservation aims, the bill lays out governance, land-use rules, and procedures to balance recreation, resource protection, and private property rights. It directs ongoing coordination with water managers (notably concerning the Dolores Project and McPhee Reservoir) and imposes annual reporting on the status of native fish conservation. It also contains specific provisions related to access, grazing, and the management of land acquired by the United States in the future.
Key Points
- 1Establishment and boundaries: Creates the Dolores River National Conservation Area (about 52,872 acres of BLM land) and the Dolores River Special Management Area (about 15,452 acres of San Juan National Forest land) in Colorado, with governance tied to a specified map and legal description.
- 2Management plans and advisory council: Requires comprehensive management plans within 3 years for both areas and creates the Dolores River National Conservation Area Advisory Council (14 members) to advise on planning, implementation, and monitoring. The council includes representatives from agricultural water users, conservation, recreation, counties, grazing, private landowners, state wildlife, and two tribal representatives (including one from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe).
- 3Water rights and the Dolores Project: Maintains the Dolores Project operations and McPhee Reservoir in current governance, while ensuring plans do not alter treaty rights or the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act. The act directs ongoing cooperation with water management entities and requires an annual public report on native fish conservation progress.
- 4Use restrictions, access, and private property: Imposes withdrawal from public land laws, mining laws, and most leasing, except as otherwise provided; limits motorized vehicle use to designated routes and restricts road construction; mandates access through the covered land to nearby private property when necessary to ensure reasonable access; allows easements for recreation, access, and conservation; prohibits buffer zones around the areas; and protects private property and local jurisdiction to the extent specified.
- 5Wild and Scenic Rivers Act: Section 301-303 modify federal consideration of Wild and Scenic River status by releasing certain Dolores River segments within the Conservation Area and SMA from further study or designation, and clarifying continuing consideration provisions do not apply to these areas.
- 6Tribal and traditional uses: Protects treaty rights and permits traditional tribal uses, ceremonies, and collection of traditional plants and materials, subject to applicable law.