The U.S. government announced protections Thursday for two populations of a rare prairie bird that's found in parts of the Midwest, including one of the country's most prolific oil and gas fields.
Even though the state Legislature passed a uranium mine bill that was signed into law by the governor, it’ll likely be years before the state actually begins to clean things up. And though more money is needed for the effort, because the early stages of work are moving slowly, officials don’t expect to ask for additional funding in the next legislative session.
The Energy, Mineral and Natural Resources Department has received $2,829,000 to remediate abandoned mines for federal fiscal year 2023, a news release said. .
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Last year in the area near Orogrande in Otero County, a motorcyclist was killed when he ended up in an abandoned mine, according to Jerry Schoeppner, the Mining and Minerals Division director for the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
Abandoned hard rock mine sites throughout the state can create dangerous conditions for people and the environment, but the funding that the Mining and Minerals Division relies on to clean up these sites is limited and will expire in September. Additionally, the state does not know exactly how many mines are located in New Mexico.
Schoeppner is hopeful that the funding will be reauthorized and that New Mexico could even possibly see an increase in funding.