Search for the Final Comment Letter for a project that technical guidance staff at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish have reviewed using the filters below. If you select multiple search terms in the "Search Terms" box, the filter will return all projects that are associated with at least one of the search terms you selected.
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Final Comment Letter
Minimal Impaction Exploration Permit Modification Application, Summa Silver Mogollon Project
On February 5, 2025, the Mining and Minerals Division ("MMD") received a revised permit modification application from Everett Ecological, on behalf of Summa Silver Corporation, for a modification to their minimal impact exploration Permit No. CA027EM in Catron County, New Mexico. The permit modification proposes the construction of a new access road and the clarification of staging area locations. Pursuant to 19.10.3.302.G NMAC, MMD is requesting comments from your agency regarding this application. The application from the operator can be downloaded from MMD's website at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/mmd/mining-act-reclamation-program/pending-and-approved-explorationapplications/minimal-impact/ca027em-summa-silver-mogollon/
Site Wide Closure/Closeout Plan Update 2024, Chino Mine
On October 31, 2024, the Mining and Minerals Division ("MMD") received an application from Freeport-McMoRan Chino Mines Company ("FMI") to update their existing Closure/Closeout Plan ("CCP") for the Chino Mine ("Chino"), Permit No. GR009RE. The purpose of the 2024 CCP Update is to present a comprehensive reclamation plan for Chino that is consistent with all applicable federal and state regulatory requirements and permit conditions. The updated reclamation plan is used to calculate a financial assurance cost estimate for Chino that will meet the financial assurance requirements of 19.10.12 NMAC.
El Segundo Mine Permit Revision, Highwall Miner Application 2024
The mine requests to add the highwall miner technique to the potential methods used for coal extraction on the mine site. A copy of the revision application is available for public inspection at the following locations: McKinley County Courthouse, County Clerk's Office, 201 W. Hill, Gallup, New Mexico; the Grants Public Library, 1101 N First St., Grants, New Mexico; and on the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division Website at https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/mmd/public-notices/.
A formal public meeting will be hosted by the Director and PNRC on Wednesday, February 19, 2024 at 1PM at the Grants Public Library, 1101 N First St., Grants, New Mexico to address any public concerns.
We would appreciate receiving your comments no later than COB Friday, March 21, 2025. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at (505) 670-9997 (cell), or Erik.Munroe@emnrd.nm.gov.
Management Plan for Navajo Lake State Park. Design Office (DO) is assisting New Mexico State Parks (NMSP)with the
development of the Navajo Lake State Park Management Plan. The project area is shown
below and includes a 4,566-acre portion of the Navajo Lake State Park along the San Juan
River Corridor, downstream of Navajo Dam. The corridor is popular for fishing and recreation
and includes 4.3 miles of Special Trout Waters (known as Red Chili Waters).
In November 2022, the Design Office (DO) team (which included Otak and MASS Design)
prepared a Draft Existing Conditions and Issues report. Other early consulting support was
provided by WestLand Resources (from Tucson, AZ) and reportedly included habitat and
cultural surveys (not yet reviewed by Biohabitats). Since that time, DO has been involved in
designing improvements in two locations -Texas Hole Day Use Area and Crusher Hole Day
Use and Campground Area. The Crusher Hole area has identified invasive species issues
(Tamarisk) and the Texas Hole area includes a sediment retention basin which was identified
in 2022 as needing long-term planning to address sediment management and a potential
strategy for upstream restoration.
At this time, Design Office would like assistance integrating ecological considerations into the
Management Plan process. Specifically, DO would like Biohabitats to provide ecological
planning guidance and nature-based design strategies that will help support the health of
Project
A remediation project for a spill that took place in May 2019. There was a total of 4 bbls or produced water and 4 bbls of oil released. Remediation efforts are still ongoing.
On January 2, 2025, the Mining and Minerals Division (MMD) of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), received an application for Mine Expansion. The proposal includes the expansion of Menefee's existing Black Spring Humate Mine (a shallow surface mine) located on BLM-managed surface and mineral estate near the community of Ojo Encino in McKinley County, New Mexico (NM). Menefee is proposing to expand their existing Black Spring Humate Mine by approximately 117 acres. Additionally, they are requesting to increase the mine's current design limit from 10 to 12 acres. The Black Spring Mine is located 30 miles southwest of Cuba, NM, and four miles south of the community of Ojo Encino, in Section 4, Township 15N, Range 5W, NM Principal Meridian (NMPM), McKinley County, NM.
Draft Environmental Assessment for the Conchas Lake Vegetation Management Plan
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District (USACE), has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for the Conchas Lake Project Vegetation Management Plan in San Miguel County, New Mexico. The DEA evaluates alternatives that would ensure that the conservation and management of the land, water, and recreational resources on Conchas Lake follow applicable environmental laws and regulations.
The proposed action would implement the Conchas Vegetation Management Plan, that would identify and execute effective strategies that promote the health of upland, wetland, and riparian ecosystems, over the course of each growing season. Strategies include: (1) preserve native habitat mosaics, (2) identify and restore disturbed and degraded areas, (3) manage invasive and non-native flora, (4) reduce standing dead woody vegetation and (5) preserve the aesthetic and historic character of the surround landscape.
Pecos Springsnail 12-month Finding and Species Status Assessment Information Request
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting data on the biology of, threats to, conservation activities related to, and distribution and important habitat association features of the Pecos Springsnail to inform a Species Status Assessment and 12-month finding for this species.
Biological Survey, Proposed Rulemaking, Threatened or Endangered Species
On December 2, 2024 the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division ("MMD") received an application from Michael Rutland to modify the minimal impact new mining permit for the Harding Mine, Permit No. SI025MN. The application for permit modification was assigned Modification 24-1 by MMD. The Modification 24-1 application proposed changing the reclamation plan for closing the shaft and permanent closure and termination of the Permit No. SI025MN for the Harding Mine, located in Sierra, New Mexico. MMD reviewed the Modification 24-1 application and deemed the application administratively complete.
This is a release from 2021 that we inherited from another consultant. The site currently has three SVE wells installed and the proposed work plan for this site includes installing an additional 6 wells.
EPNG Cedar Canyon Meter Station Project in Eddy County, New Mexico
Kinder Morgan proposes to construct a new meter station with an associated access route and gate.The Project may be located at the following latitude and longitude coordinates: 32.145413°, -103.879185°. The proposed Project facilities in Eddy County, New Mexico, will include the following:
1. a 100 x 100-foot temporary construction workspace to install a new pipeline metering facility; and
2. a 362-foot-long access road and gate off Pipeline Road Number 1.
The workspace and access road/gate will be wholly located on an existing gravel pad leased by Enterprise Products and will be used to construct/operate the metering facility which will be tied into one of its existing pipelines.
The Mogollon Project, operated by Summa Silver Corporation, is located in the Mogollon mining district, Catron County, New Mexico. This mineral exploration project encompasses over 5 acres of surface disturbance, primarily due to the operation of drill rigs and associated support equipment. The project activities are conducted under minimal impact exploration regulations and permit CA027EM, administered by the New Mexico Mining and Minerals Division (MMD) under the state's Mining Act.
Timing and Activities
Exploration activities will occur during designated operational periods to minimize environmental impacts and align with stipulations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Key activities include drilling operations, vehicular movement, and material handling, all focused on identifying and delineating subsurface mineral deposits.
Equipment and Materials
The primary equipment includes:
Drill rigs (diamond or reverse circulation)
Support vehicles and water trucks
On-site storage for drilling fluids and materials
Extent of Ground Disturbance
The project will disturb more than 5 acres of ground, including drill pads, access roads, and staging areas. Efforts will be made to minimize unnecessary vegetation removal and soil compaction through established Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Wildlife Surveys and Mitigation
Wildlife surveys and mitigation measures are integral to the project. Compliance with federal and state guidelines ensures protection of local wildlife, including raptors, sensitive species, and habitats:
Surveys: Pre-disturbance surveys for threatened and endangered species, as well as migratory birds and raptors, are mandatory.
Mitigation: Seasonal activity restrictions near critical habitats will be implemented. Disturbed areas will be reclaimed post-operations to restore natural habitats.
This project is remediating an area that had a pipeline leak. The impacted area is part of a pasture area bordered by lease roads. There was a total of 200 bbls of produced water release and 110 bbls were recovered. The leak took place in February 2023 and the client is looking to have the mitigation work completed in 2025.
Search for the Final Comment Letter for a project that technical guidance staff at New Mexico Department of Game and Fish have reviewed using the filters below. If you select multiple search terms in the "Search Terms" box, the filter will return all projects that are associated with at least one of the search terms you selected.
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