Non-Local News Releases
This category will feature news releases from out-of-area government agencies and representatives, as well as events that are not taking place in the four-county area of Grant, Catron, Hidalgo or Luna. For local events please visit Local News Releases.
Interstate 25 San Antonio Interchange Study
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 16 May 2023 16 May 2023
Second Virtual Public Meeting
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is evaluating improvement alternatives on the Interstate 25 (I-25) San Antonio Interchange, which is approximately 0.5 miles west of San Antonio, New Mexico between Milepost (MP) 139 and MP 140. I-25 connects with US 380, which is the main road into the nearby community of san Antonio. The purpose of this meeting is to go over the improvement alternatives developed and the study team's recommendations. We appreciated your involvement in the first meeting this past November; however we want to hear your thoughts on the alternatives and study recommendations! Please join us on Thursday, May 18, 2023, starting at 6:00 pm to learn more and share your input!
How to Participate
Thursday, May 18, 2023, 6:00 pm (MT)
NM State Auditor Maestas and State Treasurer Montoya Issue Joint Alert to Local Governments Regarding Collateralization and Signatory Authority
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 16 May 2023 16 May 2023
SANTA FE – With recent high profile bank failures raising serious concerns about the need to safeguard money in banks, New Mexico State Auditor Joseph M. Maestas and New Mexico State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya have issued a joint alert to all counties and municipalities throughout the State. Audits of state entities have caught the attention of the State’s top financial watchdogs, indicating that collateralization laws and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) guidance are inconsistently followed across the State.
In recent months, some local governments bypassed the collateral requirements by adding multiple employees or elected officials to bank accounts to secure $250,000 of FDIC insurance for each account signer. New Mexico state law requires banks to have proper collateralization to safeguard taxpayers’ money. Any amount of public money held in banks over the $250,000 insured by the FDIC must be backed by other forms of sureties.
Medical Cannabis Program adding insomnia as a qualifying condition
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 16 May 2023 16 May 2023
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health’s Medical Cannabis Program(MCP) announced Tuesday the addition of insomnia to the program’s list of qualifying conditions for enrollment starting June 1, 2023.
The announcement was made this morning at the MCP’s Medical Advisory Board meeting. A petition requesting insomnia be added as a qualifying condition was submitted for consideration at the board’s last meeting March 7, where the board members eligible to vote unanimously voted to support the recommendation.
In his written decision approving the advisory board’s petition, Department of Health Secretary Patrick M. Allen wrote:
Bureau of Land Management New Mexico seeks public comment for proposed November 2023 oil and gas lease sale
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 16 May 2023 16 May 2023
SANTA FE, N.M.– Consistent with the direction in the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Office released an environmental assessment analyzing 11 parcels (595.55 acres) for the proposed November 2023 Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale. These include six parcels located within Eddy and Lea counties, New Mexico (433.55 acres), and five parcels located within Pittsburg and Woods counties, Okla. (162.00 acres). The release of this environmental assessment starts a 30-day public comment period, which will end June 15, 2023.
The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in March 2023 and now seeks public comment on the environmental analysis. All parcels leased as part of an oil and gas lease sale include appropriate stipulations to protect important natural resources.
Public comments are accepted electronically via the BLM Land Use Planning and National Environmental Policy Act Register (ePlanning). Comments received by other methods will not be accepted.
Heinrich, Luján Introduce New Legislation to Respond to Immediate Needs at Southern Border
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 16 May 2023 16 May 2023
New proposal would provide immediate assistance as Title 42 expires
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), to introduce a legislative proposal to respond to the immediate needs on the southern border. While not a substitute for comprehensive immigration reform, the Senators’ proposal would provide funding to federal officials and local communities responding to an increase in asylum seekers admitted into the United States as Title 42 comes to an end.
“Title 42 ending will have undeniable impacts, and it is vital that our local, state, and non-governmental organizations in New Mexico are fully equipped with the federal resources needed to ensure an orderly and humane process at the border,” said Heinrich.
Bureau of Land Management Redefining Multi-Use
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 16 May 2023 16 May 2023
NMCGA ON THE TRAIL
By: Michelle Frost-Maynard, NMCGA
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) opened a comment period on April 3, 2023 for Conservation and Landscape Health. The rule proposes significant and concerning changes to the agency's authority under the Federal Land Management and Policy ACT. The proposal was developed with no stakeholder involvement or awareness.
BLM administers 13.5 million acres in New Mexico. It operates two National Monuments, two National Conservation Areas, five Wilderness Areas, fifty-eight Wilderness Study Areas, two National Historic Trails, one National Scenic Trail, and two Wild and Scenic Rivers, all of which are visited by many visitors each year. Visitors enjoy fishing, camping, hiking, birdwatching and many more activities. BLM administrates 49.94 percent of the federal lands in New Mexico, and these lands have supported our largest industries that provide food, fiber, transportation, and heating to the citizens of our state.
When a land management agency proposes new rules and regulations or amendments to current rules and regulations, there is a process of revisions, meetings, amendments, and coordination with many local, state, and federal entities. Loren Patterson, President of New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association (NMCGA) said "This proposal is a massive undertaking and needs to have a thorough review. The 75 day comment period is not enough time to allow on-the-ground entities and parties to consider how it will affect them."
Conservation has always been linked to other uses of the land. Now, BLM is proposing this use it be its own category. "Adding conservation as a new use on federally administered lands is a significant change. Affected entities need time to study and understand how the change will affect them" Patterson stated. There are over twenty new and revised definitions in the proposed rule. NMCGA requested additional time to evaluate how these and new multi-use activities will affect grazing permits.
NMCGA is also concerned that the proposed rule has the potential to be in conflict with other statutes mandating use of BLM lands including the Taylor Grazing Act, the Mineral Leasing Act and the 1872 Mining Law. "When an agency has conflicting rules to statute, it only slows the process down for all involved and creates an adverse environment" Patterson said. "NMCGA and our members are committed to conservation of the landscape using grazing in a way that sustains ongoing uses and traditions. If we don't take care of the land, the land won't take care of our livestock" stated Patterson.
BLM is hosting public meetings on the proposed rule. In person in New Mexico will be Tuesday, May 30, 2023 from 5:00- 7:00 p.m. in Albuquerque at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center at 2401 12th Street NW and a Virtual meeting Monday, June 5th from 9:30-11:30am. You can register for the virtual meeting at https://swca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QwRH6XZeS6amUDI70FzriA
NMCGA requested BLM extend the comment period to a minimum of 120 days. The additional time will allow NMCGA and other affected parties time to review BLM's proposed rule. Patterson said "whether it is purchasing food, fiber, gas, or enjoying the outdoors, this proposed rule will affect 100 percent of New Mexico's citizens." He encourages everyone that uses or enjoys the outdoors on BLM lands to submit comments before the deadline of June 20, 2023.
To review the proposed rule and/or to submit comments go to https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2023- 0001-0002
San Juan County Senators Respond to Farmington Tragedy
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 15 May 2023 15 May 2023
FARMINGTON — In still developing news, several news outlets are reporting that four people were shot and killed in Farmington including the alleged shooter who died after being confronted by law enforcement. Two officers are currently being treated for gunshot wounds in a local hospital and appear to be in stable condition.
Senator Steven Neville (R-Aztec) and Senator Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) issued the following statement regarding the situation:
"We are deeply distraught and disturbed that violence of this kind would strike our community. We mourn the loss of our neighbors and friends who had their life cut short. Our deepest gratitude goes out to Farmington Police officers who stood up to this individual and put an end to the carnage. We pray for a speedy recovery for our officers shot in the line of duty and for the families who grieve the loss of a loved one tonight."
Communities Across the Country Remove Nearly 664,000 Pounds of Unneeded Prescription Medications to Prevent Drug Misuse
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 15 May 2023 15 May 2023
El Paso, Texas – On April 22, 2023, DEA and its law enforcement partners came together once again to protect our communities from prescription misuse by safely disposing of 663,725 pounds of unneeded medications at nearly 5,000 collection sites across the country.
Since its inception in 2010, DEA’s bi-annual National Prescription Take Back Day has removed more than 17 million pounds of unnecessary medications from communities across the country.
The 17 counties of West Texas turned in 2,144 pounds while New Mexicans turned in 2,787 pounds. That was 830 pounds more than the October Take Back event in 2022.
For more than a decade, Take Back Day has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or expired. These medications can be a gateway to addiction, and have helped fuel the opioid epidemic.