On March 15, 2024, written comments regarding the Environmental Assessment for the Placitas Administrative Mineral Withdrawal were submitted by New Mexico Wild, the Conservation Lands Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, EarthKeepers 360, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, and The Wilderness Society. These comments represent a unified stance in favor of the proposed withdrawal of approximately 4,213 acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Rio Puerco Field Office near Placitas, New Mexico. This withdrawal seeks to exclude these lands from location and entry under the United States mining laws, leasing under the mineral leasing laws, and disposal of minerals under the Materials Act of 1947, for a 50-year term, subject to valid existing rights.
Our organizations, representing tens of thousands of individual members and supporters from New Mexico and the nation, have come together to emphasize the importance of protecting federal public lands. These lands serve as vital resources for ecosystem services and are integral to recreational, conservation, aesthetic, and economic pursuits. Aligned with the BLM’s assessment, we strongly advocate for the proposed withdrawal, recognizing its significance in safeguarding the scenic integrity, cultural importance, recreational values, and wildlife habitat connectivity within the Placitas area.
