Federal reversal on Pecos mining protections prompts outcry from federal officials, advocates

By: Danielle Prokop

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: April 8, 2026

Words: 435

Last Updated: 3 months, 3 weeks ago

Body Text Preview

Two federal agencies on Monday issued a notice to formally reverse efforts to ban mining in the Upper Pecos, potentially opening up nearly 165,000 acres for mineral extraction.

The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management under the Biden administration had supported an administrative mining ban on mining in the area, but backtracked in April 2025 after the start of the second Trump administration. Agency spokespeople at the time said the …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us