Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act
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The bill would direct the Forest Service to transfer Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam, and about 45 surrounding acres near Ouray, Colorado, to the City of Ouray at no cost, for use as public open space and recreation.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Forest Service, to convey to the City of Ouray, Colorado, fee simple title to the Crystal Reservoir site, Full Moon Dam and its associated infrastructure, and roughly 45 surrounding acres, along with associated water rights. The transfer would be made at no cost to the city except for survey expenses, and would be subject to existing rights, reserved federal easements for roads and trails, and a reversionary interest allowing the land to return to federal ownership if the city violates the conveyance terms. The city would have to keep the land open in perpetuity for free public recreational access, take over responsibility for the dam's operation and maintenance, and avoid unneeded development or reservoir expansion that would harm upstream wetlands. After the conveyance, the Forest Service would also recognize a perpetual easement letting the city use Red Mountain Ditch to deliver water to Crystal Reservoir.
Key provisions
- 1Would direct the Forest Service to convey fee simple title of Crystal Reservoir, Full Moon Dam, and about 45 surrounding acres to the City of Ouray
- 2Would require the conveyance to occur at no cost to the city except for survey expenses
- 3Would require the city to maintain the land as free, publicly accessible open space in perpetuity and to assume dam maintenance costs
- 4Would restrict the city from development, commercial operations, or reservoir expansion that harms upstream wetlands
- 5Would establish a reversionary interest returning the land to federal ownership if use conditions are violated after notice and a 90-day cure period
- 6Would require the Forest Service to recognize a perpetual easement for Red Mountain Ditch for the city's water delivery to Crystal Reservoir
Who would be affected
The City of Ouray, Colorado, which would gain ownership and maintenance responsibility for the reservoir and dam; residents and visitors who use the site for fishing and recreation; and the Forest Service, which would give up management of the land while retaining reversionary and easement rights.
Why it matters
If enacted, the city would gain local control over a recreational water resource but also take on the financial and regulatory burden of dam safety and maintenance, previously a federal responsibility. Public access would be guaranteed fee-free, while the reversion clause and use restrictions would limit how the city could develop or alter the site.
What would change
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- The land and water rights conveyance to the City of Ouray
- Finalization of the conveyance map and legal description
How implementation would work
After enactment, the Forest Service would finalize a map and legal description of the land, then convey title to the city as soon as practicable, subject to agreed-upon terms covering easements, dam responsibilities, and reversion conditions. The city would pay only survey costs. If the city violates the use conditions, the Forest Service would issue written notice, and after a 90-day cure period the Secretary could reclaim the land at his discretion. The Forest Service would separately recognize a perpetual easement for Red Mountain Ditch to support water delivery to the reservoir.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Official CRS summary
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This bill directs the Forest Service to convey specified property and water rights in Ouray County, Colorado, to the City of Ouray, Colorado, for use as open space for recreational activities (such as fishing) at no cost to the public.
The property and water rights include the site known as Crystal Reservoir and the associated lake and infrastructure, Full Moon Dam and the associated facilities, and the approximately 45-acre parcel of land underlying and surrounding Crystal Reservoir.
The conveyance must (1) convey fee simple title to the land; (2) be subject to existing valid rights and easements; and (3) be completed at no cost to the city, except for costs related to necessary surveys.
The conveyance must also be subject to a reversionary interest whereby if the land is used in a manner that violates the conveyance, the land shall revert to the United States, subject to the discretion of the Forest Service.
In addition to holding the land open to the public for recreational purposes, the city must assume responsibly for Full Moon Dam and must not conduct unneeded development or commercial operations, nor alter Crystal Reservoir in a manner that would harm wetlands located upstream, subject to certain conditions.
After the completion of this conveyance, the Forest Service must recognize a perpetual easement for the site known as Red Mountain Ditch for use by the city for specified activities related to Crystal Reservoir.
Legislative subjects
Colorado; Dams and canals; Geography and mapping; Land transfers; Public Lands and Natural Resources; Water storage
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-662