Contact Congress about S. 1319: Pecos Watershed Protection Act
New mining and mineral leasing would be blocked on certain federal land in the Pecos Watershed. About 11,599 acres would become the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area, with existing valid rights and grazing protected.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Pecos Watershed Protection Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Latest action on S. 1319: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people and businesses that want to mine, lease minerals, use geothermal resources, graze livestock, hunt, fish, or recreate on the covered federal lands. Mining and energy interests would face new limits on future development. Ranchers with existing grazing could keep grazing under wilderness rules. Hunters, anglers, and wildlife managers would still follow New Mexico’s fish and wildlife rules.
Why this matters: This bill matters because it would change what can happen on parts of the Pecos Watershed in the future. It could protect clean water, wildlife habitat, scenery, and recreation from new mineral development. It could also reduce future mining, energy, road-building, and development options. The real effect depends on how many valid rights already exist and how the Forest Service manages the land later.
Key provisions in S. 1319
- The bill closes certain federal land in New Mexico’s Pecos Watershed to new entry, claims, transfer, or disposal under public land laws. People with valid existing rights could still use those rights.
- No one could file new mining claims or get new mining patents on the withdrawn Pecos Watershed lands. A mining patent is a federal approval that can turn certain mining rights into private ownership.
- The bill blocks new mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, and mineral materials disposal on the withdrawn lands. That means no new federal approvals for those uses there.
- About 11,599 acres of Forest Service land would become the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area. It would be part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, which protects undeveloped federal land.
- The Agriculture Secretary must send an official map and legal description of the wilderness area to two congressional committees. Those are the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee, and the public must be able to inspect the materials.
How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 1319
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about S. 1319
- What is S. 1319?
- New mining and mineral leasing would be blocked on certain federal land in the Pecos Watershed. About 11,599 acres would become the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area, with existing valid rights and grazing protected.
- How do I support or oppose S. 1319?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about S. 1319?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain S. 1319 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
