The Department of the Interior has submitted to Congress a proposal for legislation that would donate 640 acres in Sandoval County, New Mexico, to the Indian Pueblos of Zia and Jemez, Assistant Secretary Roger Ernst announced today.
The land to be donated is part of a much larger area known as the Ojo del Espiritu Santo Grant which was purchased by the Federal Government as submarginal land in 1935. Under a 1956 law about 42,000 acres of the grant was turned over in Federal trusteeship to the Zia Pueblo and an additional 36,000 acres to the Pueblo of Jemez. The 640-acre area, however, was reserved by the Federal Government as a headquarters site for range personnel of the U. S. Forest Service.
Subsequently this acreage was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management by Executive Order of November 6, 1958. It is now excess to the needs of that Bureau.
In submitting the proposed legislation, the Department pointed out that the Indians of the two pueblos have a need for the site in connection with their livestock operations on the rest of the Ojo del Espiritu Santa Grant that was given to them. The two pueblos, Mr. Ernst added, have been using the area jointly and this arrangement has worked to the satisfaction of both parties.
