Dependent Indian Communities: Existential Determination Impacts State and Federal (and Tribal?) Jurisdiction
…part of a “dependent Indian community,” as that term is used in 18 U.S.C. § 1151, and are therefore subject to state jurisdiction. The decision clears the way for New…
Dakota Access Controversy: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Policy Review of Federal Government’s Tribal Consultation Obligations, and Why This Matters to Us
Introduction: The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) project has become the focal point for Native American complaints concerning the manner in which federal agencies comply with their responsibilities to engage in…
New Mexico Supreme Court Validates Designation of Mt. Taylor as a Traditional Cultural Property
Introduction: In a case that may have national significance, the New Mexico Supreme Court upheld the New Mexico Cultural Properties Review Committee’s (“Committee”) permanent designation of approximately 400,000 acres of…
Water Rights as Collateral – Challenges and Considerations in Protecting and Assigning Value
In New Mexico, agricultural land is often used as collateral for financing. Due to water scarcity, growing populations and competing needs for water, the value of water rights independent of…
Stuart Butzier Named Secretary of Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
…historic rights of indigenous peoples. “I look forward to the opportunity to help direct the efforts of this global learning community,” he said. “Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation is known…
CLNkids Celebrate Hallowe’en in Style Thanks to Modrall Sperling
…kids’ eyes light up when they received their very own costume and pumpkin. These children are barely learning how to talk, they don’t have a voice yet. We as the…
Water Quality Control Commission Unanimously Upholds Proposed Mine’s Groundwater Discharge Permit Issued Under the Copper Rule
On August 13–14, 2019, in what many view as bellwether cases, the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) decided two administrative appeal challenges to the first-ever…