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BLM Las Cruces District extends public scoping period, announces scoping meetings for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument planning effort

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Las Cruces District Office

Media Contact:

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District published a notice of intent in the Federal Register on June 22, 2023, formally opening the public scoping period for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. The scoping period has been extended until Aug. 1, 2023.

During the scoping period, we are especially interested in receiving feedback on the public’s vision for the monument and the issues and concerns regarding the monument’s current conditions and future proposed resource management. The BLM is also interested in comments on the preliminary management criteria and possible alternatives.

The BLM is planning to host five scoping engagements in Las Cruces, Anthony, Hatch and Deming, N.M. as well as in El Paso, Texas. The dates are as follows:

  • Monday, July 10, 6-8 p.m. MDT: City of Anthony Municipal Chambers, 820 Highway 478, Anthony, N.M. 88021
  • Tuesday, July 11, 6-8 p.m. MDT: Mimbres Valley Special Events Center, 2300 East Pine St., Deming, N.M. 88030
  • Wednesday, July 12, 6-8 p.m. MDT: New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, 4100 Dripping Springs Rd., Las Cruces, N.M. 88011
  • Thursday, July 13, 5-7 p.m. MDT: Village of Hatch Community Center, 837 Highway 187, Hatch, N.M. 87937
  • Friday, July 14, 3-5 p.m. MDT: El Paso Community College Admin. Services Center, 9050 Viscount Blvd., El Paso, Texas 79925

Through the resource management plan, the Las Cruces District Office will develop a long-range updated plan to address the monument’s land use allocations and protect its resources, objects and values.

Scoping comments on issues and planning criteria related to the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument Resource Management Plan can be made by any of the following methods:

Documents will be available for public review at the BLM Las Cruces District Office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. MDT, except holidays.

For more information, contact BLM Monument Manager Mara Weisenberger at (575) 525-4358.

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.