Comment Period Extended for Draft Secretarial Order Revising Rules for Co-Development of Oil and Gas and Potash Resources in Southeast New Mexico

Organization

BLM

BLM Office:

New Mexico State Office

Media Contact:

Donna Hummel

The Department of the Interior has granted a 15-day extension of the public comment period for the draft Secretarial Order to promote orderly and safe development of oil and gas and potash resources in southeast New Mexico. The request for additional time was made by Senators Udall and Bingaman to allow the State of New Mexico, affected counties, affected companies, and citizens to consider the implications of the proposed secretarial guidance and to formulate substantive and meaningful comments for the Secretary to consider in a final rule. The public comment period will now close on Friday, August 31, 2012 and no further extensions will be granted. The draft secretarial Order and original 30-day comment period was announced by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on July 12, 2012. Public comment on the draft order is encouraged so that all comments can be considered in the final rule, which is expected to be completed later this year. Comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: E-mail: therrell@blm.gov; Fax: 505-954-2115; or Mail: Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Office 301 Dinosaur Trail Santa Fe, NM 87508 For further information, please contact Tony Herrell, Deputy State Director, Mineral Resources; telephone 505-954-2222; address 301 Dinosaur Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87508; e-mail: therrell@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.