Haaland, Luján Introduce House Buffalo Tract Protection Act

Statement

Today, Vice Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee Deb Haaland and Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján introduced the Buffalo Tract Protection Act to address the local Sandoval County community's concerns about the negative impacts of a proposed gravel mine in the area. The bill will withdraw four parcels of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, including the Buffalo Tract and the Crest of Montezuma, from any mineral development, including gravel mining.

"The Placitas area is already home to numerous mines and the residents and tribes nearby bear the brunt of pollution. Allowing additional mining would have negative impacts on the health of our families and communities. My office has met with tribal leaders, residents, and local leaders, all of whom oppose new mining in the area. I am introducing this bill today to honor those wishes and protect the health of my constituents" said Vice Chair Deb Haaland.

"It is critical that we protect our environment and ensure that communities have access to clean drinking water and breathable air. The proposed mines in the Placitas area do the opposite -- and I am proud to join community leaders who are speaking out to protect the health of their families. This legislation addresses their concerns and ensures that Placitas will remain the home of families -- not special interests looking to make a profit," said Assistant Leader Ben Ray Luján.

In 2012, the BLM released a new draft resource management plan for BLM lands in central New Mexico. In the draft plan, the BLM proposed to open the Buffalo Tract in southern Sandoval County to mineral development, including gravel mining. Since the release of the draft plan, many local residents and stakeholders have expressed deep concerns--including health risks--about a gravel mine. Sandoval County, the Town of Bernalillo, the Merced De Comunidad De San Antonio De Las Huertas, the Pueblo of San Felipe, the Pueblo of Santa Ana, and Placitas residents are all opposed to gravel mining at this location.

With BLM reported to be preparing to release a final management plan, it is essential to protect these communities from the negative impacts of a gravel mine on these public land, To do this, the Buffalo Tract Protection Act would:

Permanently withdraw four parcels of BLM lands, including the Buffalo Tract and the Crest of Montezuma, from any mineral development, including gravel mining;
Maintain the authority of the BLM to sell, lease, or exchange the surface rights to the parcels, and;
Ensure that if the surface rights are sold, leased, or exchanged, the mineral rights will remain under federal management and will remain withdrawn from development.
U.S. Senators for New Mexico Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

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