Federal Reversal on Pecos Mining Protections Sparks Backlash

Agencies lift mining ban on 165,000 acres despite local opposition

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:19pm

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The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have reversed efforts to ban mining in the Upper Pecos region of New Mexico, potentially opening up nearly 165,000 acres for mineral extraction. This decision has prompted strong criticism from federal officials, local advocates, and members of the state's all-Democratic congressional delegation, who say it disregards the will of the people and threatens the sensitive watershed.

Why it matters

The Upper Pecos region has a history of mining disasters, including the Terrero Mining disaster in 1991 that killed tens of thousands of fish. Local communities and government officials have worked to permanently protect the area from mining development, seeing it as crucial to preserving the region's water, cultural identity, and way of life. The federal reversal is seen as prioritizing profit over environmental and community concerns.

The details

In April 2025, the Forest Service and BLM under the Biden administration had supported an administrative mining ban in the Upper Pecos. However, the agencies reversed this decision after the start of the second Trump administration, citing a January executive order from Trump advocating for increased energy exploration and production on public lands. This opens the door for mining companies like Australia-based New World Resources to potentially drill in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, which could threaten the Pecos and Santa Fe rivers.

  • In 1991, the Terrero Mining disaster sent mining tailing sludge downriver, killing tens of thousands of fish.
  • In recent years, members of the New Mexico delegation have introduced bills to permanently ban mining in the Upper Pecos.
  • In 2025, the Biden administration supported a mining ban, but this was reversed in April 2025 after the start of the second Trump administration.

The players

U.S. Forest Service

A federal agency that manages and protects national forests and grasslands.

Bureau of Land Management

A federal agency that manages and conserves public lands.

New Mexico's Congressional Delegation

The five all-Democratic members of Congress representing New Mexico.

Stephanie Garcia Richard

The New Mexico Land Commissioner who signed an executive order banning mineral mining on 2,500 acres of state trust land in the Upper Pecos Watershed.

Garrett VeneKlasen

The northern conservation director at the nonprofit New Mexico Wild, who criticized the federal decision as undemocratic.

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What they’re saying

“This administration is once again choosing profit over our shared heritage. This decision is a direct threat to New Mexico's waters, cultural identity, and way of life, and it blatantly disregards the voices of those who depend on them.”

— New Mexico's Congressional Delegation

“The will of the people was truly unanimous about protecting the Pecos. This administration clearly doesn't care what local communities think — that's more than tragic, it's undemocratic.”

— Garrett VeneKlasen, Northern Conservation Director, New Mexico Wild

What’s next

Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation have vowed to continue fighting the federal decision, stating 'This decision is not the end. We will fight tooth and nail to defend that place.' Advocates like Garrett VeneKlasen have not ruled out civil disobedience to protect the Upper Pecos.

The takeaway

The federal reversal on mining protections in the Upper Pecos region highlights the ongoing tensions between economic interests and environmental/community concerns. Despite strong local opposition and efforts to permanently safeguard the area, the decision prioritizes potential profit over the will of the people and the long-term health of this sensitive watershed.