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Bureau of Land Management seeks comment on environmental study for Chaco Area Withdrawal

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Farmington Field Office

Media Contact:

FARMINGTON, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management Farmington Field Office has released the proposed Chaco Area Withdrawal Environmental Assessment for a 30-day public review and comment period. The environmental assessment analyzes impacts associated with withdrawing federal minerals from leasing in a ten-mile buffer surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park for 20 years.  

The proposed withdrawal is an important part of the Interior Department’s efforts to protect the Chaco Canyon and the greater connected landscape, and to ensure that public land management better reflects the sacred sites, stories, and cultural resources in the region. The BLM is committed to continued engagement with diverse stakeholders and looks forward to ongoing collaborative discussions through the Honoring Chaco Initiative.

The agency will host in-person public meetings on Nov. 14 and 15 that will include an open-house, presentation, a question-and-answer session, and opportunities for the public to provide oral comments. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 5 p.m. Agency staff will be available to receive oral comments from 4–7 p.m. Navajo-language translation will be available upon request. 

  • Monday, Nov. 14, 4–7 p.m. — Farmington, NM
    • San Juan College Henderson Fine Arts Center
      4601 College Boulevard
      Farmington, New Mexico 87401
  • Tuesday, Nov. 15, 4–7 p.m. — Bernalillo, NM 
    • Sandoval County Administrative Building
      1500 Idalia Road, Building D
      Bernalillo, New Mexico 87004

The public can view the environmental assessment and provide comments using either of the options below: 

All comments must be postmarked by Dec. 10, 2022.
For more information about the proposal or the upcoming meetings, please contact BLM Farmington Field Office Project Manager Sarah Scott at 505-564-7689 or sscott@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.