Title
Consideration on Sending Letter from the Incorporated County of Los Alamos to the Secretary of the Department of Interior Opposing the Revocation or Reduction of Public Land No. 7923 that Protects Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Recommended Action
I move that Council support sending a letter opposing the revocation or reduction of Public Land No. 7923 and authorize the Chair to sign and send the letter on behalf of the County Council as part of public comment process.
OR
I move that Council support sending a letter stating this position: ___________ and authorize the Chair to sign and send the letter on behalf of the County Council as part of public comment process.
Body
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments on an environmental assessment for the proposed revocation of Public Land Order No.7923 affecting public lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park in McKinley, San Juan, and Sandoval counties in northwestern New Mexico.
The environmental assessment analyzes the following alternatives:
--No Action Alternative: 10-mile buffer withdrawal remains in effect
Public Land Order No. 7923 would remain in effect, keeping approximately 336,404 acres closed to new mineral leasing and mineral entry for 20 years, subject to valid existing rights.
--Alternative 1 (Proposed Action): Revoke the withdrawal in full
The Secretary or a designated Secretarial official may revoke the public land order in full, reopening all 336,404 acres to mining and mineral leasing. Management of mineral resources would conform to the provisions of the 2003 Farmington Resource Management Plan.
--Alternative 2: Revoke the withdrawal to allow leasing and mining beyond a 5-mile buffer
The Secretary or a designated Secretarial official may revoke the public land order in part, reopening public lands beyond a 5-mile buffer around the park to both mining and mineral leasing.
This item is to discuss and consider whether the Council would like...
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