The Biden administration is proposing to block off more than 4,000 acres from future mineral development in New Mexico to protect the environment and cultural resources.
, the proposal would ban new mining claims and oil and gas development across more than 4,200 acres in Sandoval County, New Mexico, located north of Albuquerque. If finalized and implemented, the action would remain in place for up to 50 years.
"Today we’re responding to call from Tribes, elected leaders, and community members who want to see these public lands protected," Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement."We look forward to hearing more from the public to inform decisions about how activities, like gravel mining, may impact these lands, including the important cultural and natural resources."
"We recognize the importance of the Placitas area, both for Tribal Nations and for the local community who visit and recreate in this area," added Melanie Barnes, the state director of the Bureau of Land Management's New Mexico office.In its proposal, the BLM stated that the action was designed to"protect, preserve, and promote the scenic integrity, cultural importance, recreational values, and wildlife habitat connectivity" in the region.
The DOI said the Pueblo tribes of San Felipe and Santa Ana have previously advocated for protections in the area which contains archeological resources from hundreds of years ago. The area is also popular for hiking, camping, sightseeing
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