The New Mexico State Land Office (“SLO”) adopted a new rule on October 31, 2017 to provide for the orderly, lawful and appropriate expenditure of funds from the State Trust Lands Restoration and Remediation Fund, which was created by 2017 amendments to NMSA 1978, 19-1-11.

SLO received no negative comments or objections to the adopted rule. SLO went above and beyond notice requirements in 19.2.16 NMAC and the State Rules Act (NMSA 1978, 14-4-5.2) to provide notice of, and solicit comments on, earlier drafts of the proposed rule. The adopted rule will facilitate the efficient administration of the Restoration and Remediation Fund to repair surface damage on, restore, or remediate State Trust Lands. The adopted rule provides limits and directions for the selection of projects to be funded by the Restoration and Remediation Fund. It is in the best interest of the Trust and SLO’s beneficiaries that the proposed rule be adopted and implemented.

The rulemaking record has been made available for public inspection on the Sunshine Portal (http://www.sunshineportalnm.com). The rulemaking record is also available for public inspection at the SLO building located at 310 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Proposed New Rule (19.2.23 NMAC)

The New Mexico State Land Office (“SLO”) will hold a public hearing on Thursday, October 5, 2017, at 9 a.m., and continuing thereafter as necessary, in Morgan Hall, 310 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Any change to the location or time will be posted with a final agenda on the SLO webpage (https://www.nmstatelands.org/nmslo-notice-of-proposed-rulemaking.aspx) at least 72 hours prior to the date and time specified above.​

The purpose of the hearing is to receive public comments on a proposed new rule (19.2.23 NMAC) that would provide for the orderly, lawful, and appropriate expenditure of funds from the State Trust Lands Restoration and Remediation Fund created under NMSA 1978, Section 19-1-11 (2017).  The Commissioner’s authority to promulgate this Rule is found in Section 19-1-2 NMSA 1978.

The proposed new rule can be downloaded using the link above, the Sunshine Portal (http://www.sunshineportalnm.com/), at the SLO building located at 310 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and at SLO district offices (see nmstatelands.org/divisions/surface-resources/district-offices/).  To request a hard copy, contact Stephanie LeMaster at (505) 827-5761 or slemaster@slo.state.nm.us

Written comments may be submitted by mail to: Stephanie LeMaster, New Mexico State Land Office, Attention: Rulemaking Comments, P.O. Box 1148, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-1148, or by email to slemaster@slo.state.nm.us.  Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on October 3, 2017.

If you are an individual with a disability and you require assistance or an auxiliary aid (such as a sign language interpreter) to participate in any aspect of this process, please contact Selena Romero by September 25, 2017 at (505) 827-5790 or sromero@slo.state.nm.us.