Pecos drilling proposal faces stricter environmental assessment process

Cultural significance concerns trigger more in-depth review

Santa Fe National Forest officials are now reviewing a proposed exploratory drilling project near Tererro using an indepth environmental assessment process.

Comexico, a subsidiary of Australian mining company New World Resources, first proposed in June 2019 to drill up to 30 holes on a few acres of federal land north of Pecos to determine whether copper, gold and zinc deposits are present.

Steve Romero, district ranger for the Pecos/Las Vegas forest district, said officials originally believed the proposal could be reviewed using a categorical exclusion process.

“We look at threatened and endangered species as it could relate to the project, flood plains and wetlands or municipal watersheds, wilderness areas and American Indian religious or cultural sites,” Romero said. “Then we look at public comment to see if we missed anything when it comes to impacts on those resources. If we see a potential issue with one of those, that’s where the CE process won’t work for us.”

Concerns about the area’s cultural significance prompted the more in-depth type of review, Forest Service geologist Larry Gore said.

“Our archaeologist and tribal relations specialists are meeting with tribes to further define what the concerns with the site are,” Gore said.

The SFNF can require the company to control stormwater runoff, cease operations during Mexican spotted owl breeding season, or avoid such sensitive plants as the holy ghost ipomopsis flower. But the agency cannot prohibit mineral exploration or mining on federal land.

Patrick Siglin, Comexico exploration manager, said the change means the company is considering applying to drill during three shorter winter seasons instead of just one.

Comexico uses a third-party contractor to conduct biological and cultural surveys,