Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5911
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-03: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-09T05:23:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir and approximately 45 acres of surrounding federal land in Ouray County, Colorado, from the U.S. Forest Service to the City of Ouray. It includes associated infrastructure and water rights to shift management responsibility to the local government while preserving public access and environmental protections.
Key Provisions
- Conveyance details: The Secretary must convey fee simple title to the Federal land (including the reservoir, Full Moon Dam, Full Moon Ditch, Reservoir Number 10, and related infrastructure) and associated water rights as soon as practicable after enactment.
- Conditions on transfer: The conveyance is subject to valid existing rights, reserved easements for existing roads, trails, and trailheads (plus necessary access rights), and a reversionary interest if the land is not used according to specified terms.
- City obligations: The City must assume all repair, operation, maintenance, and regulatory compliance costs for the dam and infrastructure; maintain the land as open space for free public recreational access (with limited exceptions for safety and operations); prohibit most development or commercial use; and avoid expanding the reservoir's surface footprint in ways that harm upstream wetlands.
- Additional protections: A perpetual easement is recognized for the Red Mountain Ditch to allow the City continued water diversion and maintenance access. The City may use reservoir water for any beneficial purpose under Colorado water law.
- Costs and documentation: The federal government covers most conveyance costs, while the City pays for surveys. The Secretary must finalize a map and legal description, with corrections allowed by mutual agreement.
Significant Changes to Existing Law This Act creates a targeted land conveyance outside standard federal land disposal processes, transferring specific Forest Service-managed property and water rights directly to a municipality. It introduces a reversionary clause allowing the land to return to federal ownership if terms are violated after a 90-day notice period.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Reduces Forest Service oversight and maintenance responsibilities for the reservoir and land, while requiring the agency to retain certain easements and monitor compliance.
- On citizens: Ensures continued free public recreational access for activities such as fishing, with restrictions only for safety or operations; the City gains control over local infrastructure management.
- On international relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The City of Ouray, Colorado (primary recipient of the land and water rights).
- The U.S. Forest Service and Secretary of Agriculture (responsible for the conveyance and ongoing easement management).
- Local residents and recreational users who rely on public access to the site.
- Holders of existing water rights or ditch interests, such as those related to the Red Mountain Ditch.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill includes a reversionary interest that allows federal reacquisition if the City fails to meet open-space or operational conditions, creating an ongoing federal oversight mechanism. The conveyance is completed at no cost to the City (except surveys) and respects valid existing rights, consistent with federal property authority under the Constitution. No major constitutional conflicts are evident in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-03: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2026-06-02: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-06-02: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3752-3753)
- 2026-06-02: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3752-3753)
- 2026-06-02: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5911.
- 2026-06-02: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3752-3754)
- 2026-06-02: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2026-05-20: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 576.
- 2026-05-20: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-662.
- 2026-05-20: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-662.
- 2026-04-21: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- 2026-04-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-04-21: Subcommittee on Federal Lands Discharged
- 2026-02-10: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-02-03: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
Bill Versions
- Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act — issued 2026-06-02 — PDF (10 pages)
- Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act — issued 2025-11-04 — PDF (7 pages)
- Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act — issued 2026-06-03 — PDF (9 pages)
- Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (12 pages)