BLM to Revise Resource Management Plan for Public Lands in Eddy, Lea and Southwestern Chaves Counties

-Agency to Develop Environmental Impact Statement-

Carlsbad, New Mexico – The Bureau of Land Management’s Carlsbad Field Office is seeking public input as it begins a process to revise and update its Resource Management Plan (RMP) for public lands in Eddy, Lea and southwestern Chaves counties. 

The new RMP will provide overall management direction for the next two decades for about 2.2 million surface acres and 4.1 million acres of Federal mineral estate (1.9 million acres of which is split estate – with private or state surface ownership and federally owned minerals). 

The BLM is revising the RMP due to the changes that have taken place in the resource use and protection arena over the past 20 years.  This is due to continuing energy development, changing demands and types of uses of BLM-administered public lands, and the conditions of the resources they contain.  An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will also be developed during the planning process.

A formal announcement initiating scoping and the preparation of an EIS for the proposed project was published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2010.

Scoping provides the first opportunity for public comment where the BLM is asking the public to help identify issues to be addressed in the plan revision as well as offer potential solutions.  The BLM will use the information it receives during scoping as it prepares the Draft RMP and an associated Draft EIS.

“It’s really important for anyone who uses or enjoys public lands in Eddy, Lea and southwestern Chaves counties to participate in our planning process,” said Jim Stovall, manager of the BLM’s Carlsbad Field Office.  “Your input will help shape how we manage these valuable lands, which are administered by the BLM on behalf of the American people.”

The BLM will be hosting scoping meetings to share information and accept public comment.  The public is invited to stop by anytime from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. or 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the dates and locations listed below to discuss the RMP with BLM specialists or provide written comments.

DATES           TOWNS     ADDRESSES

July 19, 2010    Artesia       Artesia High School, 1002 West Richardson Ave.
July 20, 2010    Carlsbad    Pecos River Conference Center-Carousel Room, 711 Muscatel Ave.
July 22, 2010    Hope          Hope Community Center, 603 Hope Highway
July 26, 2010    Jal              Jal Community Center, 109 W. Panther
July 27, 2010    Hobbs        New Mexico Junior College, Training Outreach Facility, 1 Thunderbird Circle

During the scoping period, the BLM is also seeking ideas about the uses of public lands, possible protection measures, and recommendations on special designations such as potential Special Recreation Management Areas or Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.  In addition, the public may comment on the preliminary planning criteria, which will help guide the planning process.

The BLM will accept public comments through August 30, 2010.  

Written comments on issues related to the RMP/EIS can also be submitted by any of the following methods:
     • E-mail: nm_cfo_rmp@blm.gov;
     • Fax: 575-885-9264; or
     • Mail: Bureau of Land Management, Carlsbad Field Office, Attention: James B. Smith, 620 E. Greene   St., Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220.

For further information or to have your name added to a mailing list, visit the Carlsbad Field Office planning website at: www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/fo/Carlsbad_Field_Office.html or contact James B. Smith, Planning and Environmental Coordinator at (575) 234-5986; or by e-mail at james_b_smith@blm.gov.