Public invited to comment on route designations for Taos Plateau
TAOS, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office seeks public comment for designating motorized and non-motorized routes on the Taos Plateau. On May 13, the agency will release a draft Travel Management Plan (TMP) and associated Environmental Assessment (EA) called, “Horsethief Mesa,” encompassing 2,060 acres of the Taos Plateau, north of Arroyo Hondo, N.M. on the Rio Grande s east rim.
The Horsethief Mesa draft plan identifies potential routes and trails for public use and establishes an organized travel network while minimizing impacts to natural resources. The TMP addresses non-motorized and motorized travel, recreation and traditional access, protection of cultural resources, wildlife, vegetative communities, soils, and visual resources. The Taos Field Office conducted public scoping for route designations from July 22 through August 22, 2020. Based on that input, the agency developed fi
BLM Taos Field Office Opens More Sites And Services
BLM News:
TAOS The Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office announces that the Taos Junction Campground, Wild Rivers Inner Gorge primitive campsites, and all recreation site restrooms are now open.
In addition, the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center is now open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday.
Beginning May 28, the Wild Rivers Visitor Center resumes operations 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The BLM encourages the public to use exact change or a credit card when making purchases at the visitor centers.
The BLM Taos Field Office will begin taking group shelter reservations May 17 for group sites, which will reopen May 28. Group sites and group shelters will be restricted to the group size listed on www.blm.gov or the corresponding New Mexico Department of Health orders, whichever is smaller. Groups over 40 will not be permitted at this time.
BLM Taos Field Office continues safe practices while opening more sites and services
TAOS, N.M. –The Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office announces that the Taos Junction Campground, Wild Rivers Inner Gorge primitive campsites, and all recreation site restrooms are now open.
In addition, the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center is now open Friday-Sunday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Beginning May 28, the Wild Rivers Visitor Center resumes operations from Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The BLM encourages the public to use exact change or a credit card when making purchases at the visitor centers.
The BLM Taos Field Office will begin taking group shelter reservations on May 17 for group sites, which will reopen on May 28. Group sites and group shelters will be restricted to the group size listed on www.blm.gov or the corresponding New Mexico Department of Health orders, whichever is smaller. Groups over 40 will not be permitted at this time.
BLM announces proposed land donation to Sabinoso Wilderness
Taos, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office is proposing the agency accept a land donation of 9,855 acres, known as Cañon Ciruela in northeastern New Mexico, from the Trust for Public Lands. If approved, the donation would increase the size of the Sabinoso Wilderness to 29,855 acres–an increase of nearly 50 percent. The BLM welcomes public input on the proposed action through May 21, 2021.
The proposed addition of the Cañon Ciruela lands to the Sabinoso Wilderness would add a second public access point for present and future generations to enjoy the area through hunting, hiking, horseback riding and other recreational opportunities.
BLM plans prescribed burn in March for Cerro del Aire
Taos, N.M. – Beginning March 15, the Bureau of Land Management Taos Field Office plans to conduct a 1,000-acre prescribed burn at Cerro del Aire (or Wind Mountain), northeast of Tres Piedras, N.M. The planned burn operations are within the Río Grande del Norte National Monument.
This operation is weather-dependent and will take up to 30 days to complete. Smoke from the burn may be visible from surrounding communities, as well as those traveling on U.S. Highways 285 and 64. Motorists should use caution by reducing speed and watching for fire personnel and equipment.