In order to conserve, protect, and restore the recreational, ecological, cultural, religious, and wildlife resource values of the Jemez Mountains, there is hereby established the Jemez National Recreational Area (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the “recreation area”), to be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter in this subchapter referred to as the “Secretary”).

The recreation area shall be comprised of approximately 57,000 acres of lands and interests in lands within the Santa Fe National Forest as generally depicted on the map entitled “Jemez National Recreation Area—Proposed” and dated September 1992. The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the offices of the Chief of the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, District of Columbia. The Secretary may from time to time, in consultation with local tribal leaders, make minor revisions in the boundary of the recreation area to promote management effectiveness and efficiency in furtherance of the purposes of this subchapter.

As soon as practicable after October 12, 1993, the Secretary shall file a map and legal description of the recreation area with the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and with the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate. Such map and legal description shall have the same force and effect as if included in this subchapter, except that correction of clerical and typographical errors in such legal description and map may be made. Such map and legal description shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture.

No lands or interests therein outside of the boundaries of the recreation area may be added to the recreation area without specific authorization by Congress.

The Secretary shall administer the recreation area in accordance with this subchapter and the laws, rules, and regulations applicable to National Forest System lands in a manner that will further the purposes of the recreation area. Management of the natural resources within the recreation area shall be permitted only to the extent that such management is compatible with and does not impair the purposes for which the recreation area is established. Recreational activities within the recreation area shall include (but not be limited to) hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, skiing, backpacking, rock climbing, and swimming.

The Secretary shall, no later than 5 years after October 12, 1993, develop a management plan for the recreation area, as an amendment to the Santa Fe National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan, to reflect the establishment of the recreation area and to conform to the provisions of this subchapter. Nothing in this subchapter shall require the Secretary to revise the Santa Fe Forest Land and Resource Management Plan pursuant to section 1604 of this title. During development of the management plan for the recreation area, the Secretary shall study newly designated land within the recreation area, and adjacent national forest land.

In administering the recreation area, the Secretary shall give particular emphasis to the preservation, stabilization, and protection of cultural resources located within the recreation area in furtherance of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 [16 U.S.C. 470aa et seq.], the National Historic Preservation Act,1

In administering the recreation area, the Secretary shall give particular emphasis to the conservation and protection of wildlife resources, including species listed as sensitive by the Forest Service, within the recreation area and shall comply with applicable Federal and State laws relating to wildlife, including the Endangered Species Act of 1973 [16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.].

The Secretary shall permit hunting and fishing on lands and waters under the jurisdiction of the Secretary within the recreation area in accordance with applicable Federal and State law.

The Secretary may permit timber harvesting in the recreation area for commercial purposes, including (but not limited to) vigas, latillas, the gathering of fuelwood, and for purposes of public safety, recreation, wildlife, and administration, insofar as the harvesting is compatible with the purposes of the recreation area. Trees damaged or downed due to fire, disease, or insect infestation may be utilized, salvaged, or removed from the recreation area as authorized by the Secretary in furtherance of the purposes of this subchapter. Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to affect the timber sales under contract on October 12, 1993. Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to effect the Los Griegos timber sale in the Los Griegos Diversity Unit number 0322 as shown on the West Half Diversity Unit map of the Santa Fe National Forest dated November 1991; except that the Secretary shall manage such sale using uneven aged management including the individual tree selection method.

The Secretary may permit grazing within the recreation area in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Riparian areas shall be managed in such a manner as to protect their important resource values.

The Secretary shall provide for recreational facilities within the recreation area. Such facilities shall be constructed so as to minimize impacts on the scenic beauty, the natural character, and the archaeological and religious sites of the recreation area.

The Secretary shall establish a visitor center and interpretive facilities in or near the recreation area for the purpose of providing for education relating to the interpretation of cultural and natural resources of the recreation area.

The Secretary may permit scientific investigations within the recreation area upon the Secretary’s determination that such investigations are in the public interest and are compatible with the purposes of this subchapter.

The Secretary may designate zones where, and establish periods when, any activity otherwise permitted in the recreation area will not be permitted for reasons of public safety, administration, fish and wildlife management, protection of archaeological or cultural resources, or public use and enjoyment. Except in emergencies such designations by the Secretary shall be put into effect only after consultation with the appropriate State agencies, appropriate tribal leaders, and other affected parties.

Subject to valid existing rights, after October 12, 1993, lands within the recreation area withdrawn from location under the general mining laws and from the operation of the mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, and mineral material disposal laws.

No mining activity involving any surface disturbance of lands or waters within such area, including disturbance through subsidence, shall be permitted except in accordance with requirements imposed by the Secretary, including requirements for reasonable reclamation of disturbed lands to a visual and hydrological condition as close as practical to their premining condition.

The Secretary of Agriculture shall undertake and complete within 3 years after October 12, 1993, an expedited program to examine all unpatented mining claims, including those for which a patent application has been filed, within the recreation area. Upon determination by the Secretary of Agriculture that the elements of a contest are present, the Secretary of the Interior shall immediately determine the validity of such claims. If a claim is determined to be invalid, the Secretary shall promptly declare the claim to be null and void.

The Secretary may utilize mineral materials from within the recreation area for public purposes such as maintenance and construction of roads, trails, and facilities as long as such use is compatible with the purposes of the recreation area.

Land and interests in land within the boundaries of the recreation area that are owned by the State of New Mexico, or a political subdivision of New Mexico, may be acquired only by donation or exchange.