The Las Placitas Association (LPA) has received the $99,950 Trails+ 2024 grant from the Outdoor Recreation Division to conduct an environmental assessment and recreation area management plan of the Buffalo Tract land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Announced in May, the grant was part of nearly $2 million in funding distributed to 13 projects across the state to expand outdoor access and boost New Mexico’s outdoor recreation economy. The LPA will provide the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office with an environmental assessment and recreation area management plan.
“We are thrilled to continue fostering the growth and accessibility of New Mexico’s beautiful landscapes through the Trails+ Grant,” said outdoor recreation division director Karina Armijo in the press release. “This funding is not just an investment in infrastructure; it’s an investment in community well-being, economic development, and the preservation of our natural heritage for future generations. By enhancing our outdoor spaces, we ensure that every New Mexican has the opportunity to connect with nature and experience the countless benefits of outdoor recreation.”
The plan will support the development of a recreation area, including trail systems and facilities, on BLM land north of Placitas.
The first phase is an environmental assessment to identify any hazards to people and evaluate potential environmental impacts from human activity. LPA is soliciting bids from companies to conduct the assessment.
“Then we make the recommendations, which we hope would benefit Placitas and all the communities of what we want to happen,” David Haigh, vice president of the LPA, said. “But BLM ultimately decides to accept, reject or modify the proposals, because it’s still their land.”
According to Haigh, once the environmental assessment is completed, the association will hold community meetings to gather input on how residents would like to use the land.
“That’s our goal of LPA being involved, so we can guide what happens. It’s not up to us,” Haigh said. “We’re just trying to be the voice and we’ll see what happens.”