Buffalo Tract Protection Act

This bill protects about 4,288 acres of federal land near Placitas, New Mexico, from new mining and mineral leasing. It blocks new claims and leases for minerals and geothermal energy on this land, while honoring any valid rights that already exist . The land stays open for possible sale or transfer of the surface for public uses under existing laws, but the United States keeps ownership of the minerals underground .

In short, it stops new mineral development on these specific tracts to protect the area, while allowing normal surface uses that follow federal rules .

• Key points
  • Who: People and communities around Placitas, NM; federal land managers; anyone interested in mining or leasing minerals there .
  • What: No new mining claims, mineral leasing, mineral material sales, or geothermal leasing on these lands; existing valid rights are not affected; surface land could still be conveyed for public purposes, but underground minerals remain with the U.S. .
  • Where: Four tracts totaling about 4,288 acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management near Placitas, New Mexico, as shown on a 2019 map .