New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act
Key claim: The bill directs BLM and the Forest Service to enter a memorandum of understanding with the New Mexico Land Grant Council to formalize processes for land grants-mercedes to obtain authorization for historical and traditional uses of federal lands.
Abstract
(S1363 · 119th Congress) 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, 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 (2025-12-17): Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Why this matters
New Mexico’s land grants-mercedes represent a centuries-old land tenure system whose customary uses of what are now federal lands have never been formally codified in federal statute. A required MOU between BLM, the Forest Service, and the New Mexico Land Grant Council would give heir communities a predictable administrative channel for grazing, fuelwood, and other traditional uses, potentially reducing conflict with federal land managers and supporting rural agricultural livelihoods in northern New Mexico.