Bill > HR2785

This bill establishes a framework for greater cooperation between the federal government and New Mexico land grant-mercedes (historical community land grants originally issued under Spanish or Mexican law) regarding their traditional uses of federal public lands. The bill defines key terms such as "historical or traditional use," which includes activities like gathering small quantities of herbs, wood, and flora, grazing, subsistence hunting and fishing, maintaining monuments and cemeteries, and other long-established noncommercial practices. It requires the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to develop a memorandum of understanding with the New Mexico Land Grant Council within two years, outlining processes for obtaining permits, reducing fees, and conducting traditional uses on federal lands. The bill mandates that federal land management plans must now consider the impact of proposed uses on these historical land grant communities. Importantly, the bill explicitly does not create new land use rights, modify existing tribal rights, or alter state authorities for water and wildlife management. The legislation aims to recognize and preserve the historical practices of these traditional New Mexican land grant communities while maintaining existing federal land management protocols.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2785/all-info