Santa Fe National Forest; New Mexico; Oil and Gas Leasing Forest Plan Amendment and Road Management

Résumé

The proposed action is intended to update the Santa Fe National Forest Plan by identifying stipulations on new oil and gas leases where needed to protect surface resources. The proposal also includes a new standard and guideline describing criteria for developing conditions of approval for oil and gas development, consistent with existing policies. A related action, designating specific roads to be decommissioned or closed on Cuba Ranger District, will be considered because they require unnecessary maintenance costs, pose a risk to sensitive resources, and/or risk exceeding current Forest Plan road density standards.