BLM announces public comment period on land acquisition to improve access to Achenbach Canyon

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces a 30-day public comment period on a proposed land acquisition that will improve public access to the Achenbach Canyon Trail and maintain open space adjacent to the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument and Organ Mountains Wilderness Area. The proposed acquisition involves 111.37 acres owned by the Wilderness Land Trust. It will use Land and Water Conservation Funding.

The BLM developed an Environmental Assessment to analyze the potential impacts of the acquisition and a draft Finding of No Significant Impact. The documents are available for review and comment on the BLM’s ePlanning website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2032324/510.    

“The relationship with the BLM and non-governmental agencies like the Wilderness Land Trust make these once in lifetime acquisitions possible,” said Las Cruces District Office Lands and Minerals Branch Chief Anthony Hom.

The area is surrounded by, and adjacent to, BLM administered lands with visual, cultural, geological, paleontological, ecological, and scientific significance. The area’s proximity to Las Cruces, El Paso and Juarez make it a destination for recreationists seeking the solitude, beauty and natural experience that only public lands like these provide. The acquisition would secure legal and physical access into this significant landscape by preventing residential development which would ultimately cause a loss of public access.

The BLM will accept written comments by May 23, 2024. The most useful comments identify issues specific to the proposed action to help inform the BLM decision. The focus of the decision to be made relates principally to the acquisition. If acquired, the subject lands will be managed under a separate planning process, which will involve further public involvement. 

In addition to ePlanning, comments may also be mailed to BLM Las Cruces District Office, Attn: Lands Department, Organ Mountains LWCF Acquisition, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, NM 88005.

For more information, contact BLM Land Acquisition Specialist Treaver Ashby at tashby@blm.gov or (575) 525-4304.