BLM extends comment period, announces additional meetings for proposed mineral withdrawal surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is extending the public comment period by 30 days for the proposed Federal mineral withdrawal surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park to allow for additional input on the proposal. The comment period will now end on May 6, 2022. In addition to the comment period extension, two public meetings are scheduled to receive oral comments. The BLM invites the public to register and participate in one of the following sessions: 

• Wednesday, April 27, 2022, 2–7 p.m. in Farmington, NM - San Juan College Henderson Fine Arts Center 
• Friday, April 29, 2022, 8 a.m. – noon in Albuquerque, NM - National Indian Programs Training Center 

All attendees must pre-register to attend a meeting. Attendance is capped at 45 participants for each session, with a one session limit per individual. The meetings will follow current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of the Interior COVID-19 large-group gathering protocols. All sessions will have a Navajo-language translator available.  

Contact Sarah Scott at 505-564-7689 or sscott@blm.gov to register.  

In addition to the meetings, comments may be submitted by any of the following:   

• ePlanning: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2016892/510; 
• Email: blm_nm_fm_ccnhp_area_withdrawal_comments@blm.gov; or  
• Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Farmington Field Office, Attn: Sarah Scott, 6251 College Blvd., Suite A, Farmington, NM 87402.  All comments must be post marked by May 6, 2022. 

Background: The Secretary of the Interior is proposing to withdraw 351,479.97 acres of public lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park from location and entry under the United States mining laws and from leasing under the mineral leasing laws, but not disposal under the mineral materials laws, to provide the agency additional tools to protect public lands and the greater connected landscape with a rich cultural legacy in northwestern New Mexico.   

For more information or to register for the upcoming meetings, please contact Farmington Field Office Project Manager Sarah Scott at 505-564-7689 or sscott@blm.gov.  

Original source can be found here.