BLM Issues Final Analysis for Proposed Direct Land Sale to Socorro County
SOCORRO, N.M. — The Bureau of Land Management issued the final environmental assessment and proposed resource management plan amendment today for the direct sale of public lands to Socorro County for construction of a flood detention pond to protect the town of San Antonio from flooding. The protest period will begin Oct. 13, 2026, and end Nov. 13, 2026.
The proposed direct sale would include 10 public acres and reversionary interest for an additional adjacent 10 acres previously transferred to the county through a Recreation and Public Purposes Act patent. The sale of existing reversionary interest means the lands will no longer revert to the BLM if not used for the intended purpose of the patent. The environmental assessment has been published on the BLM National NEPA Register. The BLM previously held a public comment period that closed Sept. 8, 2026.
Those who previously participated in the planning process, and have an interest adversely affected by the proposed plan, may file a protest electronically via the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred); or in writing to: BLM Socorro Field Office, ATTN: Socorro Field Office Manager, 901 South Hwy 85, Socorro, NM 87801. For information on how to file a protest, please visit Filing a Plan Protest | Bureau of Land Management.
For more information, please contact BLM Socorro Assistant Field Manager Alec Bryan at abryan@blm.gov or 575-838-1290.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.