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Buffalo Tract Protection Act

USA119th CongressS-1464| Senate 
| Updated: 2/12/2026
Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Buffalo Tract Protection Act proposes to withdraw approximately 4,288 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land from future mineral development. This land, specifically identified as Tracts A, B, C, and D on the "Placitas, New Mexico Area Map," would be protected from new mining claims, mineral leasing, and geothermal leasing, subject to valid existing rights. The legislation aims to prevent the extraction of minerals from these designated areas. Furthermore, it permits the Secretary of the Interior to convey the surface estate of these lands under existing federal laws, such as the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 or the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. However, any such conveyance would explicitly require the reservation of the mineral estate to the United States , ensuring that the mineral rights remain federally controlled and are not subject to development.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-526
Buffalo Tract Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-180
Buffalo Tract Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-534
Buffalo Tract Protection Act
Apr 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2893
Introduced in House
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 12, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-526
    Buffalo Tract Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-180
    Buffalo Tract Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-534
    Buffalo Tract Protection Act


  • April 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2893
    Introduced in House


  • April 10, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 10, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • February 12, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2893: Buffalo Tract Protection Act
Land transfersMiningNew Mexico

Buffalo Tract Protection Act

USA119th CongressS-1464| Senate 
| Updated: 2/12/2026
The Buffalo Tract Protection Act proposes to withdraw approximately 4,288 acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land from future mineral development. This land, specifically identified as Tracts A, B, C, and D on the "Placitas, New Mexico Area Map," would be protected from new mining claims, mineral leasing, and geothermal leasing, subject to valid existing rights. The legislation aims to prevent the extraction of minerals from these designated areas. Furthermore, it permits the Secretary of the Interior to convey the surface estate of these lands under existing federal laws, such as the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 or the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. However, any such conveyance would explicitly require the reservation of the mineral estate to the United States , ensuring that the mineral rights remain federally controlled and are not subject to development.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-526
Buffalo Tract Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-180
Buffalo Tract Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-534
Buffalo Tract Protection Act
Apr 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2893
Introduced in House
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 12, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-526
    Buffalo Tract Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-180
    Buffalo Tract Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-534
    Buffalo Tract Protection Act


  • April 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2893
    Introduced in House


  • April 10, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 10, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • February 12, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (1)
Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2893: Buffalo Tract Protection Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Land transfersMiningNew Mexico