New Mexico
Biden moves to block mining in New Mexico
“The Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service will now initiate a process to propose that the Secretary of the Interior implement a 20-year withdrawal to help secure the region’s water and air quality, cultural resources, critical fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational values,” the Department of the Interior stated in a press release.
For several years, members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation have pushed for legislation to permanently withdraw the Pecos watershed from mineral development.
Earlier this month, US senator Martin Heinrich and other Democrats from New Mexico urged the Forest Service to complete the initial steps of the mineral withdrawal process.
They warned that the area remains vulnerable to mining and pollution, referencing a 1991 incident when toxic waste from a closed mine spilled into the Pecos River. The spill killed fish along an 11-mile stretch and required an extensive and costly cleanup.
Since Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election, the Biden administration has acted to limit oil drilling and block mining. Meanwhile, the president-elect has pledged to expedite permits.
The federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently finalized restrictions on an oil and gas lease sale in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the largest wildlife refuge in the country. The decision limits lease sales to 400,000 acres, one-quarter of the refuge’s coastal plain section.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima, who ran for governor as a Democrat and then as an independent, is endorsing Republican Gregg Hull.
Miyagishima ended his bid for New Mexico governor after weighing a Supreme Court appeal to stay on the ballot.
Miyagishima said on Friday he decided not to pursue an appeal to the Supreme Court over his ballot status.
“I have known Mayor Hull for almost 12 years. He is intelligent, hardworking, and a man of integrity. His record reflects his dedication to the people of both Rio Rancho and New Mexico,” Miyagishima said. “My goal is to help transform Mayor Hull into Governor Hull, deliver for the southwestern part of our state, and close the gap in our Native American communities. I am eager to mobilize support in southern New Mexico and our native lands for our future governor, Gregg Hull!”
Hull called the endorsement a sign of shared priorities as the governor’s race moves forward.
“Ken’s support demonstrates our shared commitment to the people of New Mexico,” Hull said. “Together, we will tackle the challenges in our communities, stimulate our economy, and ensure that every New Mexican has a voice in government.”
Hull is running against Democrat Deb Haaland, the former Secretary of the Interior.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Emergency crews are responding to a tank battery fire in the area of Frying Pan Road and Anthony Road in southern Lea County.
Officials are asking people to avoid the area and follow directions from emergency personnel and law enforcement. Multiple agencies are responding to the fire. No other information has been release, this is a developing story.
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