| Contacts: | Noe Gonzalez | , 575.525.4488 |
Las Cruces District-BLM Proposes Treating Invasive Noxious Weeds in Southern New Mexico
Las Cruces, N.M. — The Las Cruces District Office (LCDO) of the Bureau of Land Management has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA), which analyzes the environmental impacts of treating non-native, noxious and invasive plant species within the boundary of the Las Cruces District. The areas that can be potentially affected are BLM lands within the counties of Otero, Doña Ana, Sierra, Luna, Grant, and Hidalgo Counties. In addition, the BLM has been working with partners to treat non-federal lands within these counties when funding is available.
The EA proposes implementation of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to controlling or eradicating the New Mexico state listed non-native, noxious and invasive plant species that occur on BLM and adjoining lands. The IPM approach utilizes various treatment methods (cultural, manual, mechanical, and herbicidal) in combination to treat the invading plants.
Non-native, noxious and invasive plant species have been a long-standing environmental problem across much of the United States, where these plants have been brought into the country and have been able to adapt and sometimes out-compete native vegetation. Control or eradication of these species will help return BLM and adjoining lands to a productive and healthy condition dominated by native plant species.
The EA is available for public review and comment on the LCDO website address at: www.blm.gov/nm/lascruces. Comments may be emailed to: BLM_NM_LCDO_Comments@blm.gov with “LCDO Noxious Weed EA” in the subject line. Comments can also be submitted in writing to the following address by September 18, 2012: Noe Gonzalez, Bureau of Land Management, Las Cruces District Office, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, NM, 88005.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.