Buffalo Tract Protection Act
This bill withdraws approximately 4,288 acres of federal land in New Mexico (specifically Tracts A-D on the 2019 Placitas map) from mining claims, mineral leasing, and mineral disposal under existing rights. It directly affects land management on this BLM-administered area by prohibiting new mineral development. The bill allows the surface estate to be conveyed under existing laws like the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, but requires all surface conveyances to reserve mineral rights to the U.S. government. This preserves mineral rights while enabling potential surface land sales or transfers.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Feb 27, 2023
Last action Jul 19, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Jul 19, 2023
Upper · Passed
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 118-63.
upper
May 17, 2023
Upper · Passed
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
upper
Feb 27, 2023
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
upper
Feb 27, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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