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Posted: March 30, 2020

NOTE: Pueblo leaders in New Mexico had sought the closure of facilities on and near their homelands.

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News Release

March 30, 2020

BLM temporarily closes several developed recreation facilities in New Mexico
Despite facility closures, millions of acres of BLM-managed public lands across New Mexico remain open to enjoy, as long as you do so responsibly
 
Santa Fe, New Mexico – The health and safety of our visitors and staff remains the number one priority of the Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the state of New Mexico public health officials, the BLM will temporarily close several of its developed recreation facilities to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
 
This closure includes some campgrounds, day use sites, and restrooms. Trash pickup and sanitation services on most of these recreation facilities will also be temporarily suspended.  Despite the closure of these facilities, numerous opportunities remain for the public to enjoy the outdoors as long as visitors heed orders, guidance, and advice of local and state officials and the CDC. BLM-managed trails and open spaces remain open across New Mexico.
 
“It is important for us to provide access to outdoor spaces where people can walk, exercise and get some fresh air,” said Tim Spisak, State Director BLM New Mexico. “However, we must do that while ensuring the health and safety of our employees and our visitors. These closures will help us keep people safe.”
 
Visitors may continue to enjoy their BLM managed trails and open spaces in New Mexico while following recommendations from the CDC and local and state public health authorities. Social distancing recommendations are extremely important in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and may require that visitors avoid public lands during high-use times, such as weekends. Please limit any group activities to members of your household, and keep your total party to five or fewer participants. At all times, maintain a distance of six feet or more from other people.
 
The BLM encourages responsible, local recreation to avoid putting strain on other communities. To ensure public lands and waters remain intact for future generations, visitors are encouraged to utilize Leave No Trace practices (https://www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/rogue//files/LNT-10_04.pdf), such as picking up all trash and human waste, while services at recreational facilities are suspended. Please bring your own sanitary products, including toilet paper and hand sanitizer, and pack out all trash.
 
Providing for recreation opportunities during this time is just one of the many activities BLM New Mexico staff continues to perform daily because they are vitally important to the nation and our neighbors. Our management of critical programs including grazing, energy development and protection from wildland fire continues to support the nation’s energy and food security. We are stewards of some of the most impressive landscapes in the nation and provide for enjoyment of all types of outdoor recreation.
 
Currently, our offices and public rooms are closed. Most BLM employees are continuing to work from home or in the field. If you’d like to do business with the BLM, please do so by email or phone.
 
Contact information is available at www.blm.gov/new-mexico.
 
Information on the affected BLM New Mexico facilities will be posted on https://www.blm.gov/alert/nm-covid-19-updates. Please check with individual field and district offices and visitor centers for specific details on operations in your area, as additional areas may close if deemed necessary.
  • Albuquerque District Office: 505-761-8700
  • Amarillo Field Office: 806-356-1000
  • Farmington District Office: 505-564-7600
  • Las Cruces District Office: 575-525-4300
  • New Mexico State Office: 505-954-2000
  • Oklahoma Field Office:405-579-7100
  • Pecos District Office: 575-627-0272

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.

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