SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is reconsidering a plan to lease land in Eddy and Lea Counties to oil and gas companies. Now, BLM is looking for public input on the idea.
In 2021, BLM approved leases for about 6,000 acres of land in New Mexico. Then, Citizens Caring for the Future sued BLM over the plan. Now, as that lawsuit remains pending, the federal government is asking the public to comment on a new analysis of the leases – BLM will use the feedback to decide to either cancel the leases or let them continue.
The analysis is available for review at this link. It highlights possible environmental and health risks if the land is leased and developed for oil and gas extraction. The public can comment on the leasing plan at this link. The deadline for commenting is May 21, 2024.