§539m–2 T’uf Shur Bien Preservation Trust Area

Summary

Creates the T’uf Shur Bien Preservation Trust Area inside the Cibola National Forest and the Sandia Mountain Wilderness. It protects the Pueblo’s rights in the area, keeps the forest and wilderness character forever, and preserves public use of the land. The Secretary must keep managing the area as part of the National Forest System and follow the rules in sections 539m to 539m–12. Pueblo members and other federally recognized tribal members the Pueblo allows can keep using the area for traditional and cultural purposes, except as limited by the Wilderness Act rules in effect on February 20, 2003, and by federal wildlife laws. Laws passed after February 20, 2003 that conflict with sections 539m to 539m–12 do not apply here unless Congress says so. The word “Trust” only recognizes Pueblo rights and does not give them full ownership like Interior-held trust land. A map and legal description must be filed with House and Senate committees and kept at the Forest Service. The United States cannot give away or trade any interest in the area without Congress. The area bans uses barred by the Wilderness Act in the wilderness part and also forbids gaming, mineral or timber production, new uses the Pueblo objects to, and mining claims under the Mining Law of 1872. Creating the area does not change the forest, wilderness, or Pueblo grant boundaries.