HR 10054 Chama Basin Watershed Protection Act introduced 8/6/2026

We must end all uranium mining to protect the environment for the sake of true world security. Cold War era mining in New Mexico left a legacy of contaminated lands and water, illness, suffering, and death. Below is the full text of S. 5282 which seeks to protect the Rio Chama Watershed which ultimately flows into the Rio Grande.

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10054

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

August 6, 2026

Ms. Leger Fernandez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To withdraw certain Federal land in the Rio Chama Watershed area of the State of New Mexico from mineral entry, and for other purposes.

1.Short title
This Act may be cited as the Chama Basin Watershed Protection Act.

2.Withdrawal of Federal land in Rio Chama Watershed area, New Mexico
(a)Withdrawal
The Federal land located within the boundary area depicted as Rio Chama Watershed on the map entitled Rio Chama Watershed Draft and dated April 22, 2026, is withdrawn from all forms of location, entry, and patent under the mining laws.

(b)Effect on non-Federal mineral interests
The withdrawal described in subsection (a) applies only to minerals owned by the United States and nothing in this Act affects, diminishes, impairs, encumbers, or otherwise applies to any right, title, interest, or claim in minerals owned by, held in trust on behalf of, or claimed by—

(1)a qualified land grant-merced; or
(2)an Indian Tribe.
(c)Effect on traditional and customary uses
Nothing in this Act prohibits, restricts, or otherwise affects the traditional, customary, or personal use, gathering, or collection of common variety minerals, stone, sand, gravel, clay, adobe, mineral earths, or other similar materials by members of a qualified land grant-merced or acequia community, or by other individuals, for domestic, cultural, religious, ceremonial, subsistence, agricultural, or noncommercial construction purposes, consistent with applicable Federal law and the management of the National Forest System.

(d)Definitions
In this Act:

(1)Indian Tribe
The term Indian Tribe means the governing body of any individually identified and federally recognized Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, affiliated Tribal group, or component reservation included on the most recent list published pursuant to section 104(a) of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131(a)).

(2)Qualified land grant-merced
The term qualified land grant-merced means a community land grant issued under the laws or customs of the Government of Spain or Mexico that—

(A)is recognized under New Mexico Statutes Chapter 49, Articles 1 and 4 (or a successor statute); and
(B)
(i)has a record of historical or traditional use on Federal land within the boundary area described in subsection (a); or
(ii)has a patented exterior boundary that is or previously was located on or adjacent to Federal land within the boundary area described in subsection (a).