H.R. 2785 · In committee · Public Lands and Natural Resources
New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
Sponsor: Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM)
What it does
- Direct the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service to enter a memorandum of understanding with the New Mexico Land Grant Council describing processes for historical and traditional use authorization on federal lands
- Require the memorandum of understanding to establish enhanced cooperation and coordination between federal agencies and qualified land grants-mercedes, including subsidiary agreements for specific projects.
- Mandate consultation with Indian tribes when the BLM and Forest Service develop the memorandum of understanding.
- Require land use plans to include a section evaluating the impact of other uses on historical or traditional land grant uses.
Official summary
New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act This 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…
Latest action
May 21, 2026: Subcommittee Hearings Held
Committee: House Federal Lands Subcommittee