16 U.S.C. § 539m–5 — Management of the Area

(a) Process

1. In general. The Secretary must consult with the Pueblo at least twice a year (unless they agree otherwise) about protecting, preserving, and managing the Area — including new and modified uses expected in the next six months, and ones approved in the last six months.
2. New uses.
   (A) Request for consent after consultation. (i) If the Pueblo denies consent to a new use within 30 days after the consultation finishes, the Secretary cannot proceed with it. (ii) If the Pueblo consents in writing, or doesn't respond within 30 days, the Secretary may move forward with notice-and-comment and environmental review.
   (B) Final request for consent. (i) Before signing a final decision on a proposed new use, the Secretary must ask the Pueblo for consent again. (ii) If the Pueblo denies consent within 30 days of getting the proposed decision, the new use cannot be authorized. (iii) If the Pueblo doesn't respond within those 30 days, it's treated as having consented, and the Secretary may issue the final decision.
3. Public involvement. (A) For any proposed new or modified use, the public must be told the purpose and need for it, the Pueblo's role in the decision, and the Pueblo's position on it. (B) Anyone can sue in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico to challenge whether the Secretary correctly classified something as a "new use" or "modified use."

(b) Emergencies and emergency closure orders

1. Authority. The Secretary keeps full authority to manage emergencies — to protect public safety and issue emergency closure orders in the Area, following applicable law.
2. Notice. The Secretary must tell the Pueblo about emergencies, safety issues, and closure orders as soon as practical.
3. No consent. These emergency actions don't need the Pueblo's consent.

(c) Disputes involving Forest Service management and Pueblo traditional uses

1. In general. If the Secretary's management of the Area conflicts with a traditional or cultural use — and it's not a "new use" dispute covered by subsection (a)(2) — this dispute-resolution process applies.
2. Dispute resolution process.
   (A) In general. The party that spots the conflict must notify the other side in writing (to the Pueblo Governor or the Regional Forester, as appropriate), explaining the dispute. The Governor or Regional Forester must then try to resolve it for at least 30 days before either side sues in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico.
   (B) Disputes requiring immediate resolution. If the conflict needs immediate resolution to avoid serious, ongoing, and irreversible harm, the parties must try to resolve it within 3 days. If they can't, either side may sue right away for immediate relief in the same court, skipping the normal 30-day process.