New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act

This bill aims to strengthen the relationship between the federal government and New Mexico’s historical land grant-mercedes—communities established via Spanish and Mexican land grants that are now recognized as political subdivisions of the state. It proposes a formal framework for the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to coordinate with the New Mexico Land Grant Council. The primary goal is to clarify the processes these communities must follow to obtain permits and authorizations for historical or traditional activities on federal public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.

If enacted, the legislation would require federal agencies to enter into a memorandum of understanding to streamline communication and evaluate how federal land-use planning affects traditional practices. These practices include non-commercial activities such as livestock grazing, the collection of firewood and traditional herbs, and the maintenance of community cemeteries and water systems. The bill seeks to reduce the administrative complexity and confusion that has historically hindered these communities from accessing lands they have used for generations, while ensuring that existing tribal rights and state water authorities remain unchanged.