Bolts Ditch Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1729
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-15: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T19:53:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Bolts Ditch Act (H.R. 1729) aims to update federal law to permit specific local Colorado water entities to perform maintenance on Bolts Ditch and its headgate—a water diversion structure—located within the Holy Cross Wilderness area in Colorado. This ensures ongoing upkeep of critical water infrastructure while respecting wilderness protections.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 1101(a) of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116-9).
- Explicitly adds two Colorado-based organizations as eligible to conduct maintenance: the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District (a special district under Colorado law) and the Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority (a state-organized authority).
- The maintenance is limited to Bolts Ditch and the Bolts Ditch Headgate, preserving the wilderness area's environmental integrity.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands the list of authorized entities beyond those previously allowed under the 2019 John D. Dingell, Jr. Act.
- Previously, maintenance was restricted to a narrower set of groups; this bill broadens eligibility to include these two local water management bodies, facilitating more flexible oversight without requiring new federal permissions.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Eases administrative burdens for federal land managers, such as the U.S. Forest Service, by delegating maintenance to local experts, potentially reducing federal costs and improving efficiency in wilderness areas.
- On citizens: Benefits Colorado residents and water users in the Eagle River region by supporting reliable water supply for sanitation, irrigation, and other needs, while minimizing disruptions from neglected infrastructure.
- On international relations: No direct impact, as the bill is focused on domestic U.S. land and water management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Local water entities: Eagle River Water and Sanitation District and Upper Eagle Regional Water Authority gain direct authority to maintain the ditch, enhancing their operational capabilities.
- Federal agencies: U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, responsible for wilderness oversight, benefit from shared maintenance responsibilities.
- Local communities and users: Residents, farmers, and businesses in Eagle County, Colorado, who rely on the water system for daily needs.
- Environmental groups: Organizations focused on wilderness preservation may monitor to ensure maintenance does not harm the Holy Cross Wilderness ecosystem.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the balance between federal wilderness protections (under the Wilderness Act of 1964) and practical water rights needs, avoiding potential conflicts over infrastructure in protected areas. No new legal challenges are anticipated, as it builds on existing exemptions.
- Constitutional: Aligns with federalism principles by empowering state and local entities in resource management, without infringing on federal land authority.
- Political: Represents a targeted, bipartisan effort to address regional water issues in Colorado, potentially setting a precedent for similar amendments in other wilderness-adjacent infrastructure cases, though it remains narrowly focused to limit broader environmental debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-15: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-07-14: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-07-14: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3225)
- 2025-07-14: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- 2025-07-14: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1729.
- 2025-07-14: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3225)
- 2025-07-14: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-07-10: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 155.
- 2025-07-10: Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-190.
- 2025-07-10: Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-190.
- 2025-06-25: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-06-25: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Bolts Ditch Act — issued 2025-07-14 — PDF (4 pages)
- Bolts Ditch Act — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (2 pages)
- Bolts Ditch Act — issued 2025-07-15 — PDF (2 pages)
- Bolts Ditch Act — issued 2025-07-10 — PDF (4 pages)