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Comment deadline on Chaco plan extended

Comment deadline on Chaco plan extended

As federal and state health guidelines were announced in March in response to COVID-19, New Mexico’s entire congressional delegation, Tribal leaders, Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Dept., and multiple groups called on Interior Secretary Bernhardt to extend the May 28 comment deadline to allow for the public and state and tribal governments to meaningfully engage. Instead of heeding pleas to extend the comment period, 15 days before the deadline the BLM and BIA held four virtual meetings. That did not go well.

Court challenge: Feds cut out public on 40,802-acre NM oil and gas leases

Court challenge: Feds cut out public on 40,802-acre NM oil and gas leases

Moving to protect the climate, public health, and to further environmental justice, a coalition filed suit to overturn the sale of leases on nearly 41,000 acres of public land in New Mexico for oil and gas drilling. The BLM did not allow a comment period on the lease sale’s draft environmental assessment, and held only a lightning-quick, 10-day protest period. In addition, the coalition charges that for this lease sale.

Chaco Coalition Responds to Another Trump Administration Broken Promise

Chaco Coalition Responds to Another Trump Administration Broken Promise

On April 30, the BLM Farmington Field Office and Bureau of Indian Affairs denied requests to suspend the public comment period on the controversial drilling plan for the Greater Chaco region, instead the agencies are planning to hold 4 ‘virtual public meetings’ starting mid-May. The Navajo Nation has been seriously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, most families lack internet access to attend these ‘meetings.’

Bill to protect for Chaco passes House

Bill to protect for Chaco passes House

The Chaco bill passed out of the Natural Resources Committee on July 17 and is another step further to becoming a federal law. Rep. Deb Haaland was excellent and a true champion for New Mexico in this Energy Dominance era. There is still much to get done and we continue to push and work on getting broader protections for the landscape, surrounding communities, and fight for environmental justice.