County wants more drilling, mining in Wilderness Study Area
I just read the agenda for Otero County (they're the folks who ALL love Bundy and welfare ranchers) and they want more drilling for oil & natural gas AND mining here: http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/white-papers/2014/04/14/experience-new-mexicos-rugged-and-secluded-brokeoff-mountains
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The Brokeoff Mountains, 80,000 acres of rugged and remote land, lie in the southeast corner of New Mexico, 30 miles west of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. These mountains are an ecological hotbed of plant and animal species, located at the intersection of the Chihuahuan Desert, semidesert grasslands, and conifer woodlands. The region hosts a number of rare plants, the nesting home of several varieties of raptor, and the winter range for Rocky Mountain elk.
These peaks and canyons are mostly public land, free and open, owned by all Americans, and overseen by the BLM. The general area is rich in archeological sites, and some of it is protected, for now, as part of a 31,606-acre wilderness study area. But unprotected spaces are threatened by natural gas development and mining for rare earth minerals..."
Wish there were more DU brothers & sisters to go with me to this meeting, but I know many of you are right beside me there.
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