Congress, Tribes Seek More Time on New Mexico Leasing Plan (1)

New Mexico Democrats and tribal leaders want more time for the public to participate in a federal plan for oil and gas leasing near Chaco Culture National Historical Park because area tribes are diverting attention and resources to fighting the coronavirus.

The call is part of a nationwide push by environmental groups to ask the Interior Department to extend public comment periods for environmental reviews for major public lands actions during the coronavirus pandemic when the public is thinking about its impacts.

The Bureau of Land Management on Wednesday announced four Zoom-based virtual public meetings beginning May 14 on an ...