We will continue to add questions and answers to this site, but hope that you had the opportunity to attend one of the virtual open houses and ask questions of our staff.

Still have a question? You can visit here to find out how to submit a formal comment.

Questions and Answers

You can click on the following links to access questions and answers about specific topics or just scroll through the entire Q/A page to see all of the information.

Virtual open houses

• What was the format for the virtual open houses?

  • The BLM and BIA used registration information from Zoom to create a list of individuals that have signed up ask questions during the virtual open house. As we began the virtual open house, the BLM and BIA moderators asked if anyone is speaking in their capacity as a government official or if anyone was asked to provide questions on behalf of a government official. If someone indicated your affiliation and position with a certain government during Zoom registration, they were called on to see if they would like to provide their questions first. If these individuals did not indicate their status as a tribal official or designee during registration, there was an opportunity for them to announce themselves and provide their questions first. After government officials or representatives asked their questions, the BLM and BIA went down the Zoom registration list and gave attendees the opportunity to ask their questions.

    We initially provided everyone the opportunity to ask a question with some follow up (or questions as time and open house attendance allowed). When there was additional time at the end of the open house, we returned to attendees for any additional questions they may have.

    If attendees did not sign up during registration to ask a question, they were able to ask a verbal question after those who registered finished with their questions. They also were able to write their question in the Zoom Q&A feature, and, the agencies read and and answered those questions. When there was down time when no attendees were asking questions, the BLM and BIA used that time to read and answer previously submitted questions from the public.

• What were the goals for the virtual open houses?

  • The BLM and BIA are using the 120-day Draft FMG RMPA/EIS comment period extension to provide additional opportunities for dialogue with our staff and interdisciplinary team. The virtual open houses allowed us to talk to our stakeholders while working within current state and tribal COVID 19 guidelines. We also worked with the Navajo Nation to accommodate tribal members, including those for whom Navajo is their primary language, with efforts such as holding a radio call-in program. This website will help inform the public in addition to the virtual open houses.

• Why are the agencies having virtual open houses now?

  • The BLM and BIA conducted virtual open houses because we received feedback from the public requesting more opportunities for dialogue with the agency staff. We chose to hold virtual open houses in late August so that we could receive more input from the public and tribes during the 120-day comment period extension, and because the continued COVID 19 social distancing restrictions made virtual meetings the safest and one of the most effective ways to engage our stakeholders.

    We continue work to find alternative strategies to engage all stakeholders on the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS. We are excited to be able to use technology to involve the public in our decision-making process. Hosting these virtual open houses increased safety, reduced our carbon footprint, decreased the costs to the federal government and to private citizens who must travel to far away locations, and increased by orders of magnitude those able to participate in the meeting itself.

• Why are the BLM and BIA moving forward with this process during a global pandemic?

  • To the greatest extent possible, we are working to maintain services to the American people and our stakeholders, consistent with guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local and state health authorities. As such, we hosted virtual open houses to provide information to our public in the safest and most efficient way possible. To achieve this objective, the BLM and BIA exercised our technological capabilities where possible to ensure connection and service to the public and tribes, and to limit the exposure of our employees and the public we serve.

• Why don’t the BLM and BIA postpone these meetings until the impacted population can safely and easily review and comment on the plan?

  • Following meetings with leaders of the Navajo Nation and the All Pueblo Council of Governors, Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, in close coordination with Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney, extended the comment period for the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS for 120 days. The public now has until September 25, 2020 to provide comments on the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS.

    We all had hoped that the threat of the coronavirus would have diminished during this 120-day extension and social distancing restrictions would have eased so that in-person meetings would be possible. Given that the coronavirus restrictions may not, however, be lifted within the 120-day comment period extension, the BLM and BIA hosted virtual open houses as the most appropriate way to ensure the safety of the communities we serve and provided a method for interested citizens and tribal members to have a dialogue with the agencies on the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS.

    During any public participation process, we receive numerous letters and requests from varying entities, and it is not unusual for the BLM or BIA to receive extension requests from various parties during the NEPA process for an EIS or RMP. Developing and approving an EIS or RMP is a time and labor-intensive process, and it is important for the government to continue to function to the maximum extent possible during the pandemic. It is also important it keep this project on track and provide greater certainty to the many user of these lands.

• Many members of the Navajo Nation and Pueblo communities have extremely limited access to the Internet, and many have poor or no access to phones. How do the BLM and BIA expect these individuals to participate in this process?

  • The BLM and BIA conducted virtual open houses using technology such as Zoom for the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS to keep this important project on track and bring certainty to those who use the lands in the planning area for a variety of purposes. We understand that not everyone has access to the Internet, but we provided an option for people to call in to any of the virtual open houses via a traditional phone line at 669-900-9128 (Passcode 996 2205 1582).

    Further, we coordinated with President Nez of the Navajo Nation on how best to engage Tribal communities given some of these technological limitations. Based on a recommendation from President Nez, the BLM and BIA hosted a live radio call-in program that aired on Farmington’s KNDN (960 AM) on August 20, 2020 from 1-4 PM.

• Can someone translate the virtual open houses into Navajo for me?

  • The BLM and BIA have staff that speak Navajo and a Navajo translator was present during the radio call-in show and virtual open houses to facilitate questions and answers. Additionally, this companion website to the virtual open houses includes Navajo interpretation and commentary for each station.

• How did the public receive notice of the virtual open houses?

  • BLM and BIA announced the radio call-in show and virtual open houses through various news releases, an initial press release sent to local media 21-days prior to the open houses; English and Navajo language announcements on local radio stations; distribution of a post card; and a follow up reminder press release was issued one-week before the virtual open houses. Additionally, President Nez of the Navajo Nation announced these open houses during his weekly virtual town halls with the Navajo Chapters and tribal members.

• Are these virtual open houses the only opportunities for public questions?

  • The BLM and BIA held five virtual meetings for public comments in May 2020. Based on feedback provided prior, during, and after the meetings, the BLM and BIA hosted additional meetings in a virtual open house setting to provide a question and answer session. Prior to making the final decision to hold additional outreach, the BLM and BIA meet with President Nez to discuss the idea and format for the virtual open houses, President Nez supported these virtual open house and provided guidance on how to further reach Navajo communities and tribal members via a live radio broadcast.

    Per Advisory Council on Historic Preservation guidance, the BLM and BIA have temporarily paused the deadlines associated with our consultation efforts for the NHPA Section 106 process, which is part of the overall FMG RMPA/EIS process. Once the conditions resulting in this pause are no longer in effect or consultation is otherwise able to resume, we anticipate re-scheduling meetings, preferably in-person. We value the conversations we are afforded during personal meetings and are waiting to see how the situation evolves to make this possible again.

    The public also can submit their comments online and by phone or mail.

• Can BLM and BIA provide a breakdown of public comments and participation during the 2016/2017 scoping process on the FMG RMPA/EIS?

  • You can find more information on the 2016/2017 scoping period by accessing the scoping report found on the FMG RMPA/EIS ePlanning page.

• Will the virtual open houses be made part of the official record?

  • The virtual open houses were recorded and made part of the project record; however, the discussions between the agencies and the public during the open houses are not considered formal comments. To submit a formal comment, submit it online or by mail, fax, or voicemail.

Draft FMG RMPA/EIS

• Why are BLM and BIA doing this project?

  • The BLM and BIA are completing this effort to adapt to changing oil and gas development patterns in the Mancos/Gallup geologic formations of northwest New Mexico. The complete purpose and need for the FMG RMPA/EIS is provided in Volume I of the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS, Section 1.2, Page 1-2. You can access the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS through the Farmington BLM website or the project ePlanning page.

• How do I get a copy of the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS?

  • Paper copies of the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS were distributed on in February 2020 to the Navajo Nation Chapter Houses in the planning area and there are copies available for review at the BLM Farmington Field Office.

    You can access a digital version of the through the Farmington BLM website or the project ePlanning page. We can also provide jump drives by mail and have limited hard copies of the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS that can be mailed out. Given that the entire Draft FMG RMPA/EIS package with appendices is over 1,200 pages, accessing the document on the website will be the most efficient for most stakeholders. Further, accessing the electronic document will help ensure we have hard copies available to community members that may not have access to the internet.

• Where are the maps for the project?

  • Appendix A in Volume II of the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS provides the figures and maps, which can be accessed through the Farmington BLM website or the project ePlanning page.

• How does this project relate to the legislation regarding the leasing closure around Chaco Culture National Historical Park?

  • Federal legislation was introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate. H.R. 2181 passed the House on October 30, 2019 and a Subcommittee hearing was held on May 14, 2019 for S. 1079. The legislative track is separate from the BLM and BIA Draft FMG RMPA/EIS.

    The BLM is abiding by language in the Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations Act which indicates that funds made available by the Act may not be used to accept a nomination or an offer for oil and gas leasing on any Federal lands within the withdrawal area identified on the map of the Chaco Culture National Historical Park prepared by the BLM and dated April 2, 2019, prior to the completion of a cultural resources investigation.

• Can you provide more information on tribal consultation for the agencies?

  • There is various legislation that applies to each agency related to tribal consultation, such as Executive Order 13175. In addition, each agency has internal guidance for their tribal consultation. For example, the BLM uses BLM Manual 1780 Tribal Relations, BLM Handbook 1780-1 Improving and Sustaining BLM-Tribal Relations, and BLM Manual H-8120-1 General Procedural Guidance for Native American Consultation. The BIA has its own guidance, which can be reviewed here. As of July 2020, per Advisory Council on Historic Preservation guidance, the BLM and BIA have temporarily paused the deadlines associated with our tribal consultation efforts for the NHPA Section 106 process, which is part of the overall FMG RMPA/EIS process.

• How many new oil and gas wells would each alternative would allow?

  • Information and analysis on mineral resources are available in the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS Volume 1, Section 3.5.2, Page 3-166. The supplemental reports also include more information on these resources. Table 3-1 in Section 3-2, Pages 3-3 to 3-4, includes details on the well counts per alternative. You can access the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS and supplemental reports through the Farmington BLM website or the project ePlanning page.

• Why is there not an alternative listed that does not prioritize/allow more drilling given the array of issues presented in the scoping report?

  • Scoping input from the public and ongoing work with cooperating agencies, resource specialists, and stakeholders helped the BLM and BIA develop a range of alternatives and establish a framework for our analysis.

• Why isn’t the BLM considering an alternative that prohibits new oil and gas leasing—every single alternative contemplates a massive ramp up in fracking, how does this represent a real range of alternatives?

  • Chapter 2 of the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS provides a discussion of the alternatives development process, and Section 2.2, Page 2-2 provides the greatest detail on this process. You can access the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS through the Farmington BLM website or the project ePlanning page.

• What alternative economic development opportunities beyond oil and gas drilling have BLM or BIA developed or proposed for the planning area?

  • The primary purpose of this planning action for the BLM and BIA is to adapt to changing oil and gas development patterns, while providing for multiple use and protecting valid existing rights and trust assets of the Navajo Nation and individual Indian allottees. Developing alternative economic development models for the planning area is beyond the scope of this project.

• The mandate for managing habitat in wildlife corridors under Secretarial Order (SO) 3362 is very clear—what alternative would be the most in line with SO 3362? Sportspersons are very concerned about the two mule deer migration corridors on Rosa and Crow Mesa. The wildlife Special Designated Areas seem to have fairly stringent development stipulations but what about the route and corridors that the deer are traveling through back and forth from their winter and summer ranges?

  • Information and analysis on Wildlife and Migratory Birds as well as Special Status Species and Species of Special Management Concern are respectively available in the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS Volume 1, Section 3.4.7, Page 3-85 and Section 3.4.8, Page 3-98. The supplemental reports also include more information on these resources. You can access the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS and supplemental reports through the Farmington BLM website or the project ePlanning page. Management of SDAs and ACECS will not be affected by the RMPA/EIS and will remain unchanged from the 2003 RMP.

    Additionally, Alternative A focuses on managing and enhancing habitats in the BLM surface decision area. It emphasizes enhancing ecological systems and maintaining or improving the resiliency of ecosystems. To achieve this desired future condition, Alternative A integrates adaptive management and prioritizes natural and nonrenewable resource programs. Goals and objectives focus on environmental outcomes achieved by sustaining relatively unmodified physical landscapes and natural resource values. It therefore is likely that Alternative A would be the alternative that is most in line SO 3362.

• What is the status of cultural resource inventories and ethnographic studies done in collaboration with Tribes and Pueblos in and around the planning area? Has that work been done and has it informed the alternatives in the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS?

  • You can find information and analysis on cultural resources and Native American tribal interests and uses respectively in the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS Volume 1, Section 3.4.9, Page 3-116 and Section 3.7.1, Page 3-194, including summaries of the types of inventories and studies that informed the alternatives and analysis in the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS . The supplemental reports also include more information on these resources. You can access the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS and supplemental reports through the Farmington BLM website or the project ePlanning page.

    Based on our current understanding, the current ethnographic work in or near the FMG RMPA/EIS planning area includes the following. A privately-funded ethnographic study with Acoma Pueblo that was sponsored in part by Archaeology Southwest is currently under review by Acoma Pueblo with no updates provided on when or if that information would be made available to the BLM or BIA. In accordance with feedback received from tribes during Section 106 meetings for the FMG RMPA/EIS, the BLM has focused a portion of their proposed ethnographic work on previous studies, with the remaining effort to be determined. Additionally, BIA Deputy Secretary Tara Sweeney is leading their efforts to “contract with relevant federally recognized Tribes or Tribal organizations to allow Tribal cultural experts to perform a cultural resources investigation to identify culturally and historically significant areas and sites in areas of high energy development potential within the Chaco Canyon region of the Southwest.” There are more details on this effort outlined on Page 30 here and Page 15 here.

For more information on the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS please contact Sarah Scott, 505-564-7689 or Robert Begay, 505-863-8515

If you have questions about the Draft FMG RMPA/EIS or wish to be added or removed from the mailing list, please contact BLM at blm_nm_ffo_rmp@blm.gov.