Land Grant-Mercedes Traditional Use Recognition and Consultation Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LUJAN. Madam Speaker, as a proud New Mexican, I rise in support of the Land Grant-Mercedes Traditional Use Recognition and Consultation Act that I introduced to ensure that the Federal Government recognizes the historical and cultural significance of New Mexico's land grants and acequias.

Growing up on a small farm in Nambe, New Mexico, I would wake up before dawn to feed the livestock, to open the ``compuertas'' or the headgates to allow the waters of the acequia to flow to our land and irrigate our crops. These chores and responsibilities, preserving our acequias and communal lands, are part of our way of life in New Mexico.

Land grants and acequias have been around for generations, hundreds of years, and they deserve recognition from the Federal Government. Traditional communities face a growing number of challenges, such as the climate crisis, which impacts the local watersheds and forested areas. Without improved consultation and cooperation between the Federal Government and traditional communities, these communities may not have access to the resources they need to survive.

This legislation offers land grants the opportunity to be more involved in the issues that impact their community by requiring that future Federal land management planning consider historical and traditional uses.

It directs the Federal Government to issue guidance on permit requirements for qualified traditional use communities and helps New Mexicans who have stewarded these lands for generations maintain precious infrastructure like acequias.

This legislation recognizes the importance of protecting culturally important sites and communities and ensures that the impact of Federal actions on historical-traditional uses is evaluated and considered during the land management planning processes.

To ensure that acequia associations have a strong voice in advocating for their right to maintain their infrastructure, this legislation requires the Forest Service to work directly with acequia associations to develop a proposed rule on special use permits.

Addressing these challenges faced by land grant and acequia communities, including their interactions with the Federal Government, has been a priority of mine since I was elected to Congress.

I am proud and honored to have worked with the New Mexico Land Grant Council and the New Mexico Acequia Association to move this legislation forward.

I am grateful to Chairman Grijalva, Ranking Member Bishop, Subcommittee Chair Haaland, and Ranking Member Young, and Representative Case for their support in bringing this important legislation to the House floor.

Today, with the support of New Mexico's traditional communities, I urge the House to pass my legislation and ensure a victory for our land grants and acequias.

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