New Mexico § 49-1-3 - Board of trustees; management of grant; powers

§ 49-1-3. Board of trustees; management of grant; powers

The management and control of all land grants-mercedes and tracts of land to which Sections 49-1-1 through 49-1-18 NMSA 1978 are applicable is vested in a board of trustees, to be known as the “board of trustees

of the land grant-merced del pueblo de ___” (designating the name of the town, colony, pueblo or community), and the board shall

have the power to: A. control, care for and manage the land grant-merced and real estate, prescribe the

terms and conditions under which the common lands may be used and enjoyed and make

all necessary and proper bylaws, rules and regulations that shall be in substantial

compliance with applicable statutes for the government thereof; B. sue and be sued under the title as set forth in this section; C. convey, lease or mortgage the common lands of the land grant-merced in accordance

with the land grant-merced bylaws; D. determine the number of animals that may be permitted to graze upon the common

lands and determine other uses of the common lands that may be authorized; E. prescribe the price to be paid for the use of the common lands and resources of

the land grant-merced and prohibit a person failing or refusing to pay that amount

from using a portion of the common lands while the person continues in default in

those payments; provided that the amount fixed shall be in proportion to the number

and kinds of livestock pasturing upon the common lands or to other authorized use

of the common lands; F. adopt and use an official seal; G. appoint judges and clerks and a canvassing board of election at all elections provided

for in Sections 49-1-1 through 49-1-18 NMSA 1978 , subsequent to the first, and canvass the votes cast in those elections; H. make bylaws, rules and regulations, not in conflict with the constitution and laws

of the United States or the state of New Mexico, as may be necessary for the protection,

improvement and management of the common lands and real estate and for the use and

enjoyment of the common lands and of the common waters of the land grant-merced; I. determine land use, local infrastructure and economic development of the common

lands of the land grant-merced; J. determine zoning of the common lands of the land grant-merced pursuant to a comprehensive

plan approved by the board of trustees that considers the health, safety and general

welfare of the residents and heirs of the land grant-merced; and K. enter into memoranda of understanding, contracts and other agreements with a local,

state or federal government or a government of a federally recognized Indian nation,

tribe or pueblo, including but not limited to agreements concerning the protection

and maintenance of cultural resources.