New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
Plain Language Summary
# Bill Summary: New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation Act **What It Does:** This bill would require the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service to work with the New Mexico Land Grant Council to create a formal agreement outlining how communities with historical land grants can use federal lands for traditional purposes. Land grant-mercedes are properties originally granted by Spain and Mexico to communities or individuals centuries ago. When the U.S. acquired these lands, most became federal property, but the communities that historically inhabited them retained certain rights.
This bill aims to clarify and streamline the process for these communities to access federal lands for activities like grazing livestock, accessing cemeteries, maintaining roads, and other historical uses. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects the 27 New Mexico communities recognized as land grant-mercedes, along with federal land managers and Native American tribes in the region. These communities have deep historical and cultural ties to the lands and want clearer pathways to continue traditional practices. The bill also requires federal agencies to consult with Indian tribes affected by any agreements made. **Current Status:** The bill (S 1363) is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. It was introduced by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination ActThis bill directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service to enter a memorandum of understanding with the New Mexico Land Grant Council to describe existing processes that land grants-mercedes may use to obtain authorization for historical, traditional, or other uses of federal lands. Land grants-mercedes were created when Spain and Mexico issued grants of land to communities or individuals. When the United States acquired the land, including New Mexico, a process was created for adjudicating and recognizing these property rights. During that process, most land grants-mercedes lands became federal lands. Today, New Mexico recognizes 27 community land grants-mercedes as political subdivisions. When entering into the memorandum of understanding, the BLM and the Forest Service must consult with Indian tribes. The memorandum of understanding must provide for (1) enhanced cooperation and coordination between the BLM, the Forest Service, and qualified land grants-mercedes; and (2) subsidiary agreements with certain land grants-mercedes for specific projects.Additionally, the bill outlines what the memorandum of understanding must describe, such as the procedures for notice and comments on land management planning decisions.Finally, the BLM and the Forest Service must include in land use plans a section that evaluates the impact of other uses in the plan on historical or traditional uses by land grants-mercedes.
Latest Action
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.