Caja del Rio Protection Act

Key Points

• The bill creates two new protected zones in New Mexico: the Caja del Rio Special Management Area (about 67,163 acres in Santa Fe National Forest) and the Caja del Rio National Conservation Area (about 17,837 acres of BLM land), totaling roughly 85,000 acres of federal land near Santa Fe.
• All federal land in the protected areas is withdrawn from mining, mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, and most new road construction. This effectively blocks new oil, gas, and mineral extraction on these lands permanently.
• Native American Tribes gain significant co-management power. They can serve as cooperating agencies, have Indigenous knowledge written into management plans, contract with the government to run administrative functions, and access the land for cultural, spiritual, and traditional gathering purposes.
• Traditional uses by local communities and land grant-mercedes, including hunting, fishing, grazing, wood gathering, and pinon harvesting, are explicitly protected. Existing grazing is allowed to continue under reasonable regulations.
• Santa Fe's drinking water infrastructure is protected. Existing rights-of-way for the city, county, and Buckman Direct Diversion Board are preserved, and new permits can be granted for water supply infrastructure near the historic Buckman settlement area.
• Within three years of enactment, officials must create management plans and decommission unauthorized roads. Motorized vehicles will only be allowed on specifically designated routes, with exceptions for emergencies, tribal uses, and grazing.