BLM and Forest Service postpone public meeting for the proposed Upper Pecos withdrawal
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TAOS, N.M. - The Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service are postponing the Feb. 26, 2025, public meeting for the proposed Upper Pecos River Watershed Protection Area withdrawal. The agencies will notify the public when the meeting is rescheduled. The public comment period for the proposal remains open.
On Dec. 16, 2024, the BLM published a notice in the Federal Register informing the public of a proposed withdrawal of nearly 164,000 acres of National Forest System lands and nearly 1,330 acres of BLM-managed public lands for 20 years from location and entry under the United States mining laws as well as from leasing under mineral and geothermal leasing laws, subject to valid existing rights. The notice also initiated a 90-day comment period for the proposal and set aside the lands for two years to temporarily prohibit new mining claims and mineral leases while the withdrawal was considered.
The public is encouraged to submit comments on the proposal until March 17, 2025. Comments should be sent to the following address: BLM New Mexico State Office, Attention: Jillian Aragon/Upper Pecos River Watershed Area withdrawal, 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508.
For additional information, please contact BLM Project Manager Jillian Aragon at jgaragon@blm.gov.
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.