Search for the Final Comment Letter for a project that technical guidance staff at New Mexico Department of Wildlife 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
AV Test Track
Updated State Species list for an EID - planning. Polygon includes two alternative areas for AV Test Track.
Project Overview: The study aims to assess the habitat of an old mining area located in northwest New Mexico, specifically in McKinley County. This assessment will provide a comprehensive understanding of the local wildlife, plant species, habitat types, and ecoregions. The findings will support the board of trustees in making informed decisions regarding the restoration of the project area and its surroundings.
Wildlife and Plants: McKinley County is home to a diverse range of wildlife and plant species. Notable wildlife includes mule deer, elk, black bears, and various bird species such as the golden eagle and peregrine falcon 1. The area also hosts several endangered plant species, including Zuni fleabane (Erigeron rhizomatus) and Parish's alkali grass (Puccinellia parishii) 2. The study will document these species and their habitats to ensure their protection during restoration efforts.
Habitat Types and Ecoregions: The project area encompasses several habitat types and ecoregions. Key habitats include Great Basin Desert Scrub, characterized by species such as four-wing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) and rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosus) 2. The ecoregions in McKinley County include the Colorado Plateau and the Chihuahuan Desert, each with unique ecological characteristics 3. Understanding these habitats and ecoregions will be crucial for effective restoration planning.
Restoration Goals: The primary goal of the restoration project is to rehabilitate the old mining area to support native wildlife and plant species. This involves soil stabilization, re-vegetation with native plants, and the creation of habitats that promote biodiversity 4 5. The study will provide detailed recommendations on these restoration activities, ensuring they align with ecological principles and community needs.
Impact on Surrounding Areas: Restoring the project area will have positive ripple effects on the surrounding regions. Improved habitats will support local wildlife, enhance water quality, and contribute to the overall ecological health of McKinley County 6. The study will also explore opportunities for community involvement and education, fostering a sense of stewardship among local residents.
The NM Forestry Division Cimarron District is writing a management plan for a landowner in San Cristobal. The landowner will be hiring contractors to hand thin latter fuels and small diameter pinyon and juniper. Logs will be hauled off site and sold as firewood. Slash will be chipped in the fall and dispersed across the project area.
The property will be thinned to a basal area between 60 and 40 square feet per acre.
To Minimize soil degradation logs will be skidded with light ATV's on already established roads. Heavy equipment will not be used to fell trees or masticate slash.
The landowner intends to treat 20 acres of the property over the course of 5 years. Since the project work will be independently funded by the landowner, project work will be completed as the landowner has funds to do so. Project work will be completed during the fall and early winter to mitigate the risk of promoting bark beetle.
To be used to write a management plan for a private landowner. Some timber management (Selective thinning) may occur; However, details are TBD. Discussions with landowner and site visits by forester will be used to survey for endangered species and mitigation will be in consultation with NMDGF is any species of concern are encountered. Ground disturbance should be minimal and typical of selective thinning. Most of the property will be thinned by hand or masticated. Equipment used will be a masticator, chainsaws, and possibly a skidder. Activities will most likely occur in Spring of 2026.
USFS has identified 5 areas that have experienced high tree mortality post-fire that need reforestation. Appropriate native timber species such as Ponderosa Pine and Douglas-fir would be planted along 200 acres in the next 5 years (through fall 2030).
Burns & McDonnell was retained by NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (NEER) to conduct a protected species habitat assessment to aid in the development of the Cabezon BESS Project (Project). NEER is considering the development of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) located within an approximately 6.5-acre area of Sandoval County, New Mexico. Timing of the project has been undetermined at this time.
Corresponding LLC: Caballo Solar LLC
• 10 miles Southwest of Truth or Consequences, NM
• Physical Parameters:
• Study Area is approximately 2,571 acres
• Site address: in the area of Interstate-25 and New Mexico State Road 162
• Public Land Survey System: Portions of Sections 34-36 of Township 14S, Range 6W AND Portions of Section 1, ALL Section 2, & Portions of Sections 3, 10-12 of Township 15S, Range 6W of the New Mexico P.M. - Reception 11190 and APN 3033083195131; Reception 11195 and APN 3034087181118
• Google Earth KMZ file attached as: Caballo Solar Study Area
• Google Earth KMZ file of gen-tie attached as: N/A (gen-tie is within the Study Area)
proposed solar energy and battery energy storage facilities. The Pentstemon Solar Project Review Area consists of approximately 1,385 acres, and the Globemallow Solar Project Review Area consists of approximately 967 acres generally located on the east side of State Road 41 and approximately one mile north of White Lakes Road in southern Santa Fe County, New Mexico. The entire Study Area, which represents the combination of the two Review Areas, totals approximately 2,352 acres. Although the final design of the solar and battery storage facilities has not been completed, the Projects will likely entail the installation of photovoltaic modules, inverters, an underground electrical collection system, utility-scale battery systems, internal project roads, security fencing, operation and maintenance structures, and temporary parking and laydown areas. Clearing of onsite vegetation and grading, if necessary, will occur before the installation of infrastructure.
Corresponding LLC: Caballo Solar LLC
• 10 miles Southwest of Truth or Consequences, NM
• Physical Parameters:
• Study Area is approximately 2,571 acres
• Site address: in the area of Interstate-25 and New Mexico State Road 162
• Public Land Survey System: Portions of Sections 34-36 of Township 14S, Range 6W AND Portions of Section 1, ALL Section 2, & Portions of Sections 3, 10-12 of Township 15S, Range 6W of the New Mexico P.M. - Reception 11190 and APN 3033083195131; Reception 11195 and APN 3034087181118
• Google Earth KMZ file attached as: Caballo Solar Study Area
• Google Earth KMZ file of gen-tie attached as: N/A (gen-tie is within the Study Area)
This is a potential project - at this time we do not have a lot of details. We are just trying to figure out what might be onsite so that we can plan field investigations. There is no start date on the project at this time; most likely this summer.
- Corresponding LLC: Camino Real Solar LLC
- 34 miles North of Truth or Consequences, NM
- Physical Parameters:
- Study Area is approximately 3,197 acres
- Site address: in the area of Interstate-25 and Ft Craig Rd
- Public Land Survey System: A Portion of the Pedro Armendaris Grant No. 34 of 1820 (not formally a part of the PLSS). It is adjacent to the east of Sections 5, 8, & 17 of Township 8S, Range 2W of the New Mexico P.M. - Reception # R004549, APN 001104001801
This is a potential project - at this time we do not have a lot of details. We are just trying to figure out what might be onsite so that we can plan field investigations. There is no start date on the project at this time; most likely this summer.
Site 1: Melrose Solar - NM
• Corresponding LLC: Melrose Solar LLC
• 80 miles Northeast of Roswell, NM
• Physical Parameters:
• Study Area is approximately 1,614 acres
• Site address: in the area of New Mexico State Road 267 & Rosevelt Road
Public Land Survey System: All or parts of Sections 13 & 14, Township 1 North, Range 31 East of the New Mexico Principal Meridian AND All of Section 18, Township 1 North, Range 32 East of the New Mexico Principal Meridian.
This is just an investigation into the area. At this time, we are only looking at environmental constraints for the area. There is not much I can say except that this is a potential solar project. I just want to see what plants and animals are in the area and see if this is a good location. We will do a follow-up survey once we have this information to verify the environmental constraints. We do not have a time that this activity will take place. We will base the timing of the survey on the results of this report.
The proposed project is in the early stages of scoping. The known size of the project is
approximately 2,300 acres. Details of construction are unknown at this time.
Implementation of Definition of "Waters of the United States" in light of 2023 Sackett determination
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army intend to engage with State and Tribal co- regulators; industry and agricultural stakeholders; environmental and conservation stakeholders; and the public on certain key topics related to the implementation of the definition of ''waters of the United States'' in light of the Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. The agencies are committed to learning from the past regulatory approaches--the pre-2015 regulations and guidance, the 2015 Clean Water Rule, the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule, the 2023 Rule, and the Amended 2023 Rule--while engaging with stakeholders before taking further administrative action to provide any additional clarification to agency staff, co-regulators, and the public on specific aspects of the definition of ''waters of the United States.'' This notice includes an announcement of forthcoming listening sessions on specific key topic areas to hear interested stakeholders' perspectives on defining ''waters of the United States'' consistent with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the scope of Clean Water Act jurisdiction and how to implement that interpretation as the agencies consider next steps. The agencies are also accepting written recommendations from members of the public via a recommendations docket. These opportunities are intended to provide for broad, transparent engagement with a full spectrum of stakeholders.
Clean Water Act Permit, Proposed Rulemaking, River/Stream Management, Water Diversions/Irrigation, Water Management, Water Quality, Wetlands/Springs
Search for the Final Comment Letter for a project that technical guidance staff at New Mexico Department of Wildlife 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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