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

Enhanced Cooperation and Coordination: The bill provides for increased cooperation between the Federal Government and the governing bodies and community users of qualified land grant-mercedes (Section 3(a)(2)(A)(i)).

Clarification of Land Uses: The memorandum of understanding will describe specific types of historical or traditional uses allowed for noncommercial benefit, such as gathering wood, herbs, or botanical products, and subsistence hunting or fishing (Section 2(4)).

Infrastructure Support: The bill addresses authorization for the routine maintenance and minor improvements of infrastructure, such as trails, roads, fences, and community cemeteries (Section 3(a)(2)(C)).

Potential Fee Relief: The Secretary is directed to consider the socioeconomic conditions of community users and the operating budgets of governing bodies when determining whether to reduce or waive land use fees (Section 3(b)).

Improved Planning: The Secretary is required to include sections in land use plans that consider and evaluate the impact of other uses on historical or traditional uses by qualified land grant-mercedes (Section 4).

Requirement for Permits: Certain historical or traditional uses may still require a permit or other land use authorization from the Secretary concerned (Section 3(a)(2)(B)(i)).

Potential Fees: The memorandum of understanding may include descriptions of various fees, such as cost recovery and land use fees, associated with obtaining land use authorizations (Section 3(a)(2)(B)(iii)).

Use Restrictions: The memorandum of understanding may include descriptions of applicable restrictions and prohibitions on historical or traditional uses conducted on Federal land (Section 3(a)(2)(B)(vii)).