BLM, Pueblo of Jemez sign co-stewardship agreement for ancestral lands

New Mexico
Rio Puerco FO
Media Contact

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management and Pueblo of Jemez renewed a co-stewardship agreement today to protect traditional, religious, and cultural interests of the Pueblo on federal lands, which will benefit the Pueblo, the United States government, and the public. 

In 2021, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack signed Joint Secretarial Order 3403 to ensure agencies manage federal lands and waters in a way that seeks to protect the treaty, religious, subsistence, and cultural interests of federally recognized Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian communities. The order requires such management be consistent with the nation-to-nation relationship between the United States and the Tribes and the United States’ unique trust obligation to Tribes and their citizens.  

“This agreement is a tangible way to further develop BLM’s long working relationship with the Pueblo of Jemez, encourage information sharing, traditional uses, and create opportunities to use skilled labor from the Pueblo,” said BLM Rio Puerco Field Manager Adam Lujan. “This agreement ensures sustainable management and mutual benefit for our public lands and communities.”  

Pueblo of Jemez Governor Peter Madalena remarked, “This is awesome and exciting to be signing the agreement. I am thankful that we were able to sign the agreement for our people and our future generations. We look forward to working and collaborating with BLM.” 

For more information, please contact BLM Rio Puerco Field Manager Adam Lujan at 505-761-8734.  


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.