The Gila National Forest, Reserve Ranger District is planning on burning the slash pile at the Reserve Community Slash Pit. Officials plan to ignite the prescribed fire as soon as desired weather and fire conditions permit. Following last year’s pause of prescribed fire operations, Forest Service Chief Randy Moore released the USDA Forest Service National Prescribed Fire Review on Sept. 8, outlining actions that Forest officials must take before prescribed burning can resume. Forest officials have followed those steps, updating prescribed fire burn plans with the most recent science and key factors affecting fire behavior. The Reserve Slash Pit is located between Reserve, New Mexico and Rancho Grande subdivision, west of New Mexico Highway 12 on National Forest System Road 578. Smoke and firefighter activity may impact forest road access. If this occurs, road guards will be in place. Smoke will be visible in the area and may linger in the valley at night and early in the morning. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211.
From the New Mexico Game and Fish Department, deadline to apply now for Big Game Draws is March 22nd. This is for Barbary Sheep, big horn sheep, deer, elk, ibex, javelina, pronghorn, and oryx.
A deadline has been announced for renewal of 2019 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Contracts. Farmers and ranchers participating in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) with a contract obligated in 2019 are being provided an opportunity to renew their participation in the program for another 5-year term. The offer to renew is available to all CSP contracts that expire at the end of December 2023. Notices are being mailed out with instructions on how to apply. Participants should contact their local office if they do not receive a notice in the mail. The deadline to apply is April 28, 2023.
Bureau of Land Management announces upcoming meeting on March 29th from 8 am to 4 pm of Southern New Mexico Resource Advisory Council, which is open to the public. The public will have the opportunity to comment at the meeting. Both in-person and virtual participation options will be available. The meeting will take place at the BLM Las Cruces District Office, 1800 Marquess Street, Las Cruces. R A Cs are critical in assisting BLM with public land management decisions and continuing to serve local communities. The 12-member Southern New Mexico RAC provides advice and recommendations to BLM on resource and land management issues within BLM Socorro Field Office and Pecos and Las Cruces District Offices. RAC members are citizens who represent varied public land interests.
