LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Cruces District is announcing the start of the public scoping period for development of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. A notice of intent posted in the Federal Register on June 22, 2023, formally opening the 30-day public scoping period, which will end on July 22, 2023.

During the scoping period, we are especially interested in receiving feedback on the public’s vision for the monument and the issues and concerns regarding the monument’s current conditions and future proposed resource management. The BLM is also interested in comments on the preliminary management criteria and possible alternatives.

“During the planning effort, it is our goal to build extensive public awareness and generate as much public involvement as possible to develop a well thought out and supported plan that addresses the diverse resource values and allowable uses of the monument,” said BLM Las Cruces District Monument Manager Mara Weisenberger.

We plan to host five scoping engagements with communities in Las Cruces, Anthony, Hatch and Deming, N.M and one in of El Paso, Texas. The dates for all engagements will be announced at least 10 days in advance on our website at www.blm.gov/new-mexico  and via social media.

Through the resource management plan, our Las Cruces District Office will develop a long-range plan to address the monument’s land use allocations and protect its resources, objects and values.

Comments on issues and planning criteria related to the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument Resource Management Plan by any of the following methods may be submitted to:

• Website: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/92170/510 
• Email: blm_nm_lcdo_comments@blm.gov
• Mail: BLM Las Cruces District Office, Attention: Mara Weisenberger, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces, N.M., 88005.

Documents will be available for public review at the BLM Las Cruces District Office Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. MDT, except holidays.

For more information, contact BLM Monument Manager Mara Weisenberger at (575) 525-4358.

Original source can be found here