BLM updates management plan for Río Grande del Norte National Monument
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TAOS, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management today issued a management plan for the Río Grande del Norte National Monument to protect the Monument’s unique landscapes and important cultural sites, while addressing increased interest in recreational use, visitor services, and facilities across the Monument.
The Monument, which spans 242,668 acres, was designated by Presidential proclamation on March 25, 2013. The Monument was recognized for its significant natural, cultural, and scientific values. That proclamation specifically called for the development of a management plan to protect, preserve, and restore these values.
The approved plan amends the 2012 Taos Resource Management Plan to identify specific management and protection measures for resources within the Monument. The plan will provide for continued traditional uses of Monument lands, including fuelwood collection, hunting, fishing, piñon nut collection, and other subsistence-based traditions. The plan also addresses recreational opportunities as well as basic visitor services and facilities.
The BLM relied heavily on input from cooperating agencies, Tribal Nations, and a wide variety of public stakeholders to develop a plan to address and resolve various issues and prevent potential impacts to important Monument values.
"We are so grateful to the members of the public who participated in the preparation and completion of this project,” said BLM Taos Field Manager Eric Valencia. “This plan is vital to the care and protection of the Río Grande del Norte National Monument and we look forward to collaborating with our partners and the public to accomplish the goals outlined in the plan."
The plan is designed to provide protection and restoration of diverse terrestrial and aquatic wildlife populations and their habitats, including threatened and endangered species and other special status species and their habitats. The plan also minimizes fragmentation of seasonal habitats, habitat connectivity, and the displacement of wildlife from those habitats, while allowing for recreational and traditional uses for present and future generations.
The approved management plan and associated planning documents are available at the BLM National NEPA Register. For additional information, please contact BLM Assistant Field Manager for Recreation Brad Higdon at 575-751-4703 or blm_nm_tafo_admin@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.