Chama Basin Watershed Protection Act

The Chama Basin Watershed Protection Act withdraws federal lands within the Rio Chama Watershed in New Mexico from mining claims, preventing new private ownership of federally owned minerals in that specific area. This legislation directly affects potential miners by restricting their ability to claim these resources while explicitly preserving existing mineral rights held by Indian Tribes and qualified land grant-merced communities. Additionally, the bill allows for the continued traditional gathering of common materials like stone, sand, and clay by local residents and community members for domestic, cultural, or agricultural use without commercial intent.