The Biden administration has proposed blocking thousands of acres of future oil or mining drilling in northern New Mexico in an effort to protect Native American lands.
According to the Department of the Interior (DOI), the proposal would prohibit new mining claims and oil and gas development on 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 answer the call of tribes, elected leaders and community members 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, can impact these lands, including important cultural and natural resources.”
“We recognize the importance of the Placitas region, both to the tribal nations and to the local community that visits and recreates in this area,” added Melanie Barnes, state director of the Bureau of Land Management office ( BLM) in New Mexico.
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Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks during a news conference July 22, 2021 in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)
In its proposal, the BLM said the action aims to “protect, preserve, and promote the landscape integrity, cultural significance, recreational values, and connectivity of wildlife habitats” in the region.
The DOI said the San Felipe and Santa Ana Pueblo tribes have previously advocated for protection of the area that contains archaeological resources dating back hundreds of years ago. The area is also popular for hiking, camping, sightseeing and hunting.
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In 2019, Haaland, who at the time was serving in Congress and vice chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, introduced the Buffalo Tract Protection Act that would mimic the actions taken Monday. At the time, Haaland said the area’s residents and tribal citizens bore the brunt of the pollution produced by the area’s numerous mines.
The Biden administration has claimed that the New Mexico region is home to various archaeological resources related to tribes. (iStock)
Earlier this year, Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., reintroduced the legislation. The two also repeatedly called on the DOI to take action to block mining development in Sandoval County.
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“It’s time to end this years-long debate and remove these parcels from future mineral development,” Heinrich said at a March event in Albuquerque, alongside Stansbury.
Using information available from the BLM, the Congressional Budget Office released a report on the Buffalo Tract Protection Act in August, concluding that the area affected by the mineral ban has high potential for sand and gravel mining and minimal potential for development of other minerals. Sand and gravel mining is essential for various infrastructure projects like roads.
The report projected that land withdrawal would result in a $2 million decrease in federal revenues.
The Biden administration has proposed blocking thousands of acres of future oil or mining drilling in northern New Mexico in an effort to protect Native American lands.
According to the Department of the Interior (DOI), the proposal would prohibit new mining claims and oil and gas development on 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 answer the call of tribes, elected leaders and community members 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, can impact these lands, including important cultural and natural resources.”
“We recognize the importance of the Placitas region, both to the tribal nations and to the local community that visits and recreates in this area,” added Melanie Barnes, state director of the Bureau of Land Management office ( BLM) in New Mexico.
ADMIN BIDEN REVERSES TRUMP-ERA ACTION, MAKING EASIER TO BUILD FOSSIL FUEL PIPELINES
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland speaks during a news conference July 22, 2021 in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)
In its proposal, the BLM said the action aims to “protect, preserve, and promote the landscape integrity, cultural significance, recreational values, and connectivity of wildlife habitats” in the region.
The DOI said the San Felipe and Santa Ana Pueblo tribes have previously advocated for protection of the area that contains archaeological resources dating back hundreds of years ago. The area is also popular for hiking, camping, sightseeing and hunting.
HOUSE DEMS CROSSES PARTY LINES, ASKS BIDEN ADMIN TO EXPAND OIL DRILLING
In 2019, Haaland, who at the time was serving in Congress and vice chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, introduced the Buffalo Tract Protection Act that would mimic the actions taken Monday. At the time, Haaland said the area’s residents and tribal citizens bore the brunt of the pollution produced by the area’s numerous mines.
The Biden administration has claimed that the New Mexico region is home to various archaeological resources related to tribes. (iStock)
Earlier this year, Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., and Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., reintroduced the legislation. The two also repeatedly called on the DOI to take action to block mining development in Sandoval County.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“It’s time to end this years-long debate and remove these parcels from future mineral development,” Heinrich said at a March event in Albuquerque, alongside Stansbury.
Using information available from the BLM, the Congressional Budget Office released a report on the Buffalo Tract Protection Act in August, concluding that the area affected by the mineral ban has high potential for sand and gravel mining and minimal potential for development of other minerals. Sand and gravel mining is essential for various infrastructure projects like roads.
The report projected that land withdrawal would result in a $2 million decrease in federal revenues.
