BLM opens new Taos office

Agency seeks advisory council applicants

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has moved its Taos Field Office to 1024 Paseo del Pueblo Sur. The new location will “provide a more modern environment to serve the public better while the staff carries out the agency’s mission,” according to a press release.

“We are happy to have a prominent location and improved visibility on the main street,” Field Manager Pamela Mathis said.

The new location opened its doors Monday (March 7) at 7:45 a.m. All phone numbers will remain the same. The public may contact the Taos Field Office via phone at 575-758-8851, or by email at blm_nm_tafo_admin@ blm.gov.

The current field office, which since 1994 has been located at 226 Cruz Alta Road, will close its doors March 3 at 4:15 p.m.

Public Affairs Specialist Jillian Aragon noted that the field office serves many people who have a variety of needs, ranging from maps and recreation permits to grazing permits and right-of-way grants.

“We also do fuel wood permits, a lot of people rely on that source of energy,” Aragon said.

In other news, the Bureau of

Land Management is seeking additional public nominations for positions on its Northern New Mexico Resource Council, which advises the agency on public land issues in the Farmington District — including Taos — and Río Puerco District.

BLM is seeking council applicants in three categories: public land ranchers and representatives of organizations associated with energy and mineral development, the timber industry, transportation or rights-of-way, off-highway vehicle use, and commercial recreation; representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental organizations, archaeological and historical organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations; and local elected officials.

To receive an application, contact Aragon, who is also the Northern New Mexico Resource Advisory Council Coordinator, at 505-564-7722 or by email at jgaragon@blm.gov. The public can also download the application at blm. gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/apply. The deadline for submitting nominations is April 4, 2022.