Strong Showing of Public Support for Pecos Administrative Mineral Withdrawal Reinforced by State Land Office Mining Ban

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Lela McFerrin, (505) 470-3235, lelamcferrin3@gmail.com
Ralph Vigil, (505) 603-2879, ralph@nmwild.org
Sally Paez, (505) 350-0664, sally@nmwild.org

Pecos, NM – March 26, 2025 – In December, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) issued an order that prevents new mining claims and mineral development for a two-year period on 163,483 acres of Santa Fe National Forest lands and 1,327 acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Upper Pecos River Watershed. This action could ultimately lead to a 20-year mineral withdrawal and allows time for the agencies to conduct environmental studies and obtain public input on the proposal. The BLM’s announcement started a 90-day public comment period and scheduled a public meeting in the Village of Pecos on Feb. 26, 2025.

On Feb. 19, 2025, the agencies abruptly canceled the public meeting, outraging the community. The Protect the Pecos Coalition, alongside local organizations and leaders, instead hosted a community-led public rally to discuss details of the proposed mineral withdrawal and assist attendees in submitting written public comments. More than 50 people attended.

As a result of the public rally and additional outreach efforts, advocates packaged and submitted 864 individual public comments in support of the proposed Upper Pecos Watershed administrative mineral withdrawal, demonstrating the community’s commitment to protecting this area. A group of organizations also submitted a comprehensive comment letter. Commenters emphasized the watershed’s vital role in providing clean drinking water for local communities, protecting pristine habitat for fish and wildlife, ensuring the future of outdoor recreation and agriculture, preserving sensitive historical and cultural resources, supporting the local economy, and mitigating threats of toxic contamination and pollution.

The proposed mineral withdrawal has received diverse local support from Tribal leaders, state and local elected officials, farmers and acequia parciantes, land grant communities, community organizations, small businesses, and conservation and recreation groups. The Protect the Pecos Coalition anticipates that additional public comments were submitted to the BLM beyond what was captured through their direct outreach efforts.

Meanwhile, New Mexico State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard responded to community concerns by issuing an executive order that bans mining on 2,552 acres of State Trust Lands in the Upper Pecos Watershed for the next 20 years. In doing so, the Commissioner recognized, “Some New Mexico landscapes are just too special to carve up with aggressive mineral development, and the Upper Pecos Watershed is one of those places. Pueblos and traditional Hispanic communities have relied on the river and its watershed for everyday uses for centuries. It is as much a cultural landmark as it is a natural ecosystem.”

The Protect the Pecos Coalition and advocates applaud the leadership of Commissioner Garcia Richard and are calling on the federal agencies to take action consistent with what New Mexicans want: reschedule the public meeting and move forward with the review process needed to finalize a 20-year Upper Pecos River Watershed administrative mineral withdrawal.

“We at UPWA are deeply grateful to Commissioner Garcia Richard for her decisive action in protecting the Upper Pecos Watershed,” said Frank “Pancho” Adelo, President of the Upper Pecos Watershed Association. “This historic executive order not only safeguards our cherished landscape from aggressive mineral development but also preserves a vital resource for the communities that depend on it. We thank her for prioritizing the health and heritage of our region, and we urge the federal agencies to do the same.”

“The people of San Miguel County have made it clear, we stand united in protecting the Pecos Watershed from any threat. The cancellation of the public meeting was unacceptable, but our community showed up, spoke out, and submitted hundreds of comments in support of the mineral withdrawal. I urge federal agencies to listen to the people and move this process forward. I also want to thank State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard for taking decisive action to protect State Trust Lands in the Upper Pecos Watershed.” – San Miguel County Commissioner Berna Baca

“Our water, land, and traditions depend on protecting the Upper Pecos watershed from harmful contaminants,” said Ralph Vigil, a local farmer and former Chairman of the NM Acequia Commission. “The 864 public comments in support of the mineral withdrawal show our community’s commitment. We thank Commissioner Garcia Richard for her leadership and urge federal agencies to listen to the people: reschedule the public meeting and move forward with long-term protections for the Pecos.”

“Our community has sent a strong message, we will not stand by while our water, lands, and heritage are put at risk,” said Mayor Telesfor Benavidez. “The meeting cancellation was a disservice, but we united and made our voices heard. We urge federal agencies to reschedule the meeting and move forward with the 20-year mineral withdrawal. I also thank State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard for her leadership in protecting State Trust Lands in the Upper Pecos Watershed.”

“The public input gathered during the recent comment period demonstrates that New Mexicans understand the value of clean water and healthy watersheds, and are willing to stand up for them,” said Sally Paez, Staff Attorney for New Mexico Wild. “The federal agencies should listen to New Mexicans from across the state who have weighed in with unequivocal enthusiasm for the proposed withdrawal.”

Learn more at www.stoptererromine.org.

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