Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act

This bill would direct the Forest Service to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam, and approximately 45 acres of surrounding land in Ouray County, Colorado, to the City of Ouray. The city would be required to maintain the property as open space for public recreational activities, such as fishing, at no cost to the public. Under the proposal, the city must assume responsibility for the dam and refrain from unneeded commercial development, while the Forest Service would retain a reversionary interest if the land is used improperly.

The bill directly affects the U.S. Forest Service, which is required to convey land and water rights, and the City of Ouray, Colorado, which would receive the property and assume responsibility for the Full Moon Dam. Members of the public are affected as beneficiaries of the requirement that the site remain open for recreational activities like fishing at no cost. Additionally, the city is granted a perpetual easement for the Red Mountain Ditch to manage activities related to the Crystal Reservoir.

• Conveyance of Crystal Reservoir property and water rights. The Forest Service is directed to transfer fee simple title of approximately 45 acres of land, including Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam, and associated infrastructure in Ouray County, Colorado, to the City of Ouray.
• Land use and public access requirements. The City of Ouray must maintain the conveyed property as open space for public recreational activities, such as fishing, at no cost to the public. The city is prohibited from conducting unnecessary development or commercial operations on the site.
• Environmental and infrastructure responsibilities. The city must assume responsibility for Full Moon Dam and ensure that any alterations to Crystal Reservoir do not harm upstream wetlands. If the land is used in a manner that violates these conditions, ownership may revert to the United States at the discretion of the Forest Service.
• Establishment of Red Mountain Ditch easement. Following the property transfer, the Forest Service must recognize a perpetual easement for the Red Mountain Ditch site to allow the city to conduct activities related to Crystal Reservoir.
• Transfer costs and existing rights. The conveyance will be completed at no cost to the city, except for necessary survey expenses, and remains subject to all existing valid rights and easements.

The bill modifies the management of federal lands by directing the Forest Service to transfer fee simple title of specific property and water rights in Ouray County, Colorado, to local municipal ownership. It further requires the Forest Service to establish a perpetual easement for the Red Mountain Ditch site to facilitate city operations related to the Crystal Reservoir.

The bill aims to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir and surrounding lands from the Forest Service to the City of Ouray, Colorado, to ensure the area remains available as public open space for recreational activities such as fishing. It establishes requirements for the city to maintain the site's infrastructure and protect upstream wetlands while prohibiting unnecessary commercial development.