ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. –The Bureau of Land Management is issuing a second call for nominations to the Rio Puerco Management Committee. This action is a result of President Donald Trump signing into law the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (P.L. 116-9) and Secretary’s Order 3374. As published in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations received through Dec. 7. 

Public Law 104-333 and P.L. 116-9 require the Rio Puerco Management Committee to advise the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the BLM, on the development and implementation of the Rio Puerco Management Program.  The Committee will serve as a forum for information about activities that may affect or further the development and implementation of best management practices, identify objectives, and develop alternative watershed management plans for the Rio Puerco Drainage Basin. The Secretary of the Interior will appoint council members to three-year terms.  

The Committee shall be convened by a representative of the BLM.  Nominations are being accepted from representatives within the following categories: the Rio Puerco Watershed Committee; affected tribes and pueblos; the U.S. Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture; the Bureau of Reclamation; the U.S. Geological Survey; the Bureau of Indian Affairs; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the Army Corps of Engineers; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture; the State of New Mexico, including the New Mexico Environment Department of the State Engineer; affected local soil and water conservation districts; the Elephant Butte Irrigation District; private landowners; and other interested citizens. 

Individuals may nominate themselves or others to serve on the Committee. Nominees will be reviewed on the basis of their affiliation, interest, education and/or knowledge of the Rio Puerco Drainage Basin. Nominations must include letter(s) of reference, a completed application, and any other information that speaks to the nominee’s qualifications. The application form can be downloaded at www.blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/NewMexico.   

Implementing P.L. 116-9 is a top priority for the Department of the Interior (DOI). Secretary Bernhardt, through Secretary’s Order 3374, has formed a task force including affected DOI agencies to ensure that the Act is implemented in a timely, consistent, coordinated manner among all DOI offices and Bureaus. P.L. 116-9, which incorporated more than 100 lands bills, included the reauthorization of the Rio Puerco Management Committee, covering approximately 7,350 square miles, including nine sub-watersheds that drain portions of seven counties west of the Rio Grande and close to 5.6 million acres in New Mexico.  

For more information, contact Public Affairs Specialist Allison Sandoval at 505-954-2019 or aesandoval@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the above individual. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours.