Luján Applauds Committee Passage of Legislation toProvide Greater Cooperation between the Federal Government and Land Grant Communities

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) applauded the passage of the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. This legislation will provide greater cooperation between the federal government and land grant communities. There are 27 community land grant-mercedes that are recognized as political subdivisions under New Mexico law.

"I'm proud that my legislation to strengthen cooperation between the federal government and land grant communities, which are an essential part of New Mexico's history and culture, has passed through committee and is one step closer to becoming law. These communities have cared for our land for generations, and preserving that connection is crucial for our land and cultural heritage," said Senator Luján, member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. "This legislation ensures that the federal government considers historical traditional uses in federal land management planning, helping to protect these valuable traditions for future generations."

"Land grant communities represent farmers and ranchers, families, and elders. They care for and sustain our lands," said Rep. Leger Fernández, House lead of the legislation."The New Mexico Land Grant Council's work to advocate for their communities is a perfect example of the beauty of democracy in action. We're happy to see that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee took action on this bill today. We will continue to work towards passage to improve cooperation and communication between federal agencies and our land grant communities to make sure these communities can access lands for the historical and traditional uses they have been practicing for centuries."

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

• Directs the United States Department of the Interior (DOI) and Department of Agriculture (USDA), through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New Mexico Land Grant Council, to clarify existing agency processes that qualified land grant-mercedes may use to seek authorization for historical or traditional uses on Federal public lands, including permit requirements and associated fees;
• Clarifies that the MOU does not directly authorize any uses or activities on Federal public lands;
• Directs the DOI and USDA to consult with Tribes when the MOU is entered into, extended, renewed or revised;
• Ensures that the MOU contains a description of the notice and comment procedures on agency land management planning decisions, and that qualified land grant-mercedes, the New Mexico Land Grant Council, and Tribes are notified of opportunities to comment on and be involved in agency land management planning decisions; and
• Requires the DOI and the USDA to evaluate impacts on historical or traditional uses in Federal land use planning.

In April 2025, Senator Luján and Representative Leger Fernández reintroduced the New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act. In March 2022, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forest, and Public Lands held a hearing on a previous version of the legislation. In June 2022, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Miningheld a hearing on the legislation. In July 2022, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources unanimously passed the legislation, and in December 2022, the Senate passed the legislation unanimously. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 116th Congress, Senator Luján unanimously passed similar legislation through the House to make it easier for land grant-mercedes to work with federal land management agencies.

A summary of the bill is available HERE. Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

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