SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO) is hosting a series of four public meetings across Southern New Mexico September 22-25, 2025. The meetings will provide an overview of a proposed land exchange between the NMSLO and the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The NMSLO will also gather feedback at the meetings to help guide the agency’s decisions regarding the exchange. Representatives from the BLM will also be in attendance.
Under the proposed exchange, the NMSLO would transfer roughly 85,000 acres of state trust land to the BLM. In return, the NMSLO would receive federal lands of equal value.
The exchange would allow landlocked portions of state trust land to be incorporated into the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. Meanwhile, NMSLO would receive lands better suited for the agency’s mission to earn revenue for public schools, universities, and hospitals. Because the NMSLO would receive more valuable lands, the exchange may ultimately be limited to just Doña Ana County but the agency is holding meetings in all potentially included counties.
Interested parties will have an opportunity to provide public comments at the in-person meetings. Public comments may also be emailed to: BLM_NM_LCDO_Mail@blm.gov.
More information is available here.
PUBLIC MEETING DETAILS:
Las Cruces:
Monday, September 22; 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Doña Ana County Government Services Building, Council Chambers
845 N. Motel Blvd.
Lordsburg:
Tuesday, September 23; 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Hidalgo County Council Chambers
305 Pyramid St.
Deming:
Wednesday, September 24; 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Mimbres Valley Special Events Center
2300 E. Pine St.
Silver City:
Thursday, September 25; 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Grant County Business and Conference Center
3031 US-180
Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard has overseen the New Mexico State Land Office since 2019. In that time the agency has raised more than $12 billion for New Mexico public schools, hospitals, and universities. Over 13 million acres of state trust land are leased for a variety of uses, including ranching and farming, renewable energy, business development, mineral development, and outdoor recreation. The State Land Office has a dual mandate to use state trust land to financially support vital public institutions, while simultaneously working to protect the land for future generations.