Select Page

The New Mexico State Land Office (“SLO”) gives notice in accordance with NMSA 1978, Section 19-7-9.1 that it will hold a public meeting on March 23, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Andres Z. Silva Conference Center, 119 East Pine Street, Deming, NM 88030.  The meeting will be in a hybrid in-person/virtual format. Those wishing to participate virtually may do so by visiting zoom.us/join or dialing in by phone at 1-346-248-7799 and entering the Meeting ID: 88323478719. Any change to the time will be posted with the Zoom link and a final agenda on the SLO webpage (http://www.nmstatelands.org) at least 72 hours prior to the date and time specified above.

The purpose of the meeting is to receive public comment regarding a proposed disposition of a contiguous 2,241.86-acre tract of state trust lands described as follows:

Lots 1 and 2, NE¼, E½NW¼, Section 31, Township 23 South, Range 5 West, N.M.P.M. – 316.41 acres; W½, NE¼SE¼, S½SE¼, Section 35, Township 23 South, Range 6 West, N.M.P.M. – 440 acres; Section 36, Township 23 South, Range 6 West, N.M.P.M. – 640 acres; Lot 4, S½N½, NE¼SW¼, Section 1, Township 24 South, Range 6 West, N.M.P.M. – 240.21 acres; Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4, S½N½, E½SW¼, SE¼, Section 2, Township 24 South, Range 6 West, N.M.P.M. – 560.24 acres.

These state trust lands are located in Luna County, approximately 20 miles east of Deming, north of the Akela exit on Interstate 10.  The land is currently leased for livestock grazing and contains easements for a railroad, an electric transmission line, a fiber optic line and an oil pipeline.  The lands are adjacent to lands held in federal trust for the benefit of the Ft. Sill Apache Tribe, as to which the Ft. Sill Apache tribe exercises governmental jurisdiction.  At the request of the Ft. Sill Apache Tribe and because of the cultural and historical connection with the Ft. Sill Apache Tribe, the SLO has proposed a land exchange in which it would convey the state trust lands to the Ft. Sill Apache Tribe in exchange for lands of equal or greater value having the potential for commercial development and thereby providing greater income potential to the trust land beneficiary, which is New Mexico public schools.

If the SLO makes a final decision to proceed with an exchange, the Commissioner of Public Lands would execute an exchange agreement providing for a conveyance of the state trust lands subject to a reservation to the State of New Mexico of all minerals and geothermal resources in, under or upon the Land.  The SLO may offer a negative easement or surface non-disturbance agreement with regard to the reserved minerals and geothermal resources. 

If you have any questions please contact Tarin Nix, Deputy Commissioner of Public Affairs, at 505-470-2965 or email tnix@slo.state.nm.us.

PUBLIC COMMENT ACCEPTED THROUGH MARCH 28, 2022.
You may submit public comments by completing the form below or by mailing your comments to:

New Mexico State Land Office
P.O. Box 1148
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1104