Mescalero Apache Tribe to Host Public Meeting on Proposed Land Exchange with New Mexico State Land Office

Alamogordo, NM – February 9, 2026 — The Mescalero Apache Tribe, in collaboration with the New Mexico State Land Office, is convening a key public meeting to discuss a proposed land exchange that aims to return certain ancestral lands to the Tribe.

The meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 17, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Convention Center in Mescalero, New Mexico. Tribal officials emphasize that this gathering provides an essential opportunity for Tribal members, community residents, and other stakeholders to learn about the proposal’s details, voice concerns or support, and participate in open dialogue regarding the potential impacts on the community and future land management.

The proposal involves the Mescalero Apache Tribe seeking to acquire approximately 330 acres of state trust land located southeast of Las Cruces, near Tortugas Mountain (also known as “A Mountain”), in the area of Township 23 South, Range 2 East, Section 36. This parcel, currently owned by the State Land Office, is described as ancestral land to the Tribe. In exchange, the Tribe would convey other lands of equal value to the State Land Office, though specific exchange lands remain undetermined at this stage.

The initiative stems from efforts to return former tribal lands to Indigenous ownership, building on at least two prior similar exchanges facilitated by the State Land Office.

The proposal was first publicly noted in late 2025, sparking community discussions in the Las Cruces area, including concerns from nearby residents about potential future development (such as an amphitheater), traffic impacts, recreational access, dark skies preservation, and wildlife. Tribal representatives have stated that no specific development plans exist for the parcel at this time, and any ownership transfer would occur in “fee simple,” subjecting the land to applicable state and county zoning and ordinances.

The New Mexico State Land Office continues to describe the review as being in its early stages, with no final decisions made. Public input is being actively sought through a series of meetings, with this February 17 event serving as a continuation following earlier sessions in late 2025 (some of which were postponed or drew large crowds).

No major new developments or decisions on the exchange have been announced since the initial announcements in 2025, and the focus remains on gathering feedback. The meeting is open and encouraged for participation to help shape outcomes.

For the latest information, check official sources including the Mescalero Apache Tribe website and the New Mexico State Land Office page dedicated to the proposal.

Citations:

• Mescalero Apache Tribe Official Website: https://mescaleroapachetribe.com/25144/a-public-meeting-2 (meeting announcement)

• New Mexico State Land Office: https://www.nmstatelands.org/proposed-mescalero-apache-tribe-land-exchange (proposal backstory and status)

• Haussamen New Mexico: https://haussamen.com/2025/10/16/mescalero-apache-tribe-seeks-land-near-las-cruces (details on parcel and proposal summary)

• NM State Land Office FAQ PDF (referenced in sources): https://www.nmstatelands.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Proposed-MAT-Exchange-FAQ-10.28.25.pdf (acreage and location specifics)

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