L22AC00650

The objective of this project is to restore and rehabilitate rangeland in southeastern New Mexico. The project will target noxious weeds and invasive species of mesquite, creosote, juniper, and salt cedar in priority landscapes and watersheds which have significant invasive shrub encroachment into the desert grassland, and riparian areas.

Eliminating targeted invasive species will allow native grasses and forbs to flourish. This will restore biodiversity to the sites, enhance candidate species habitat for the lesser prairie chicken and sand dune lizard, and the federally listed aplomado falcon.

Rangeland restoration begins with treatment of invasive and noxious weeds and shrubs which have choked out native grasslands. Much of the landscape will rebound with healthy grassland upon the removal of the invasive shrubs and weeds. Some areas will require enhancement of habitats through introduction of native plants and seed.

Additional benefits will increase water flow and water quality due to increased infiltration and decrease erosion. These restored landscapes will improve habitat for wildlife, native and domestic species. This project will also allow reclamation of material site pits, pads, roads associated with orphan and legacy oil and gas development, reduction of habitat fragmentation, stabilize and rehabilitation of disturbed areas, and erosion control due to disturbed areas being reclaimed.

The project will also include inventorying and surveying project areas, including discovery of archaeological and threatened and endangered species sites which would require clearances or special treatments, monitoring treated areas to assess efficacy of treatments, and coordination of multi-jurisdictional and other stakeholders, response plans to proposed treatments.

Public benefit: This project benefits the public through providing habitat improvement on public lands used for hunting, camping, and hiking by reducing the competition for native grasses and other forage for grazing. The BLM will benefit through assistance with their rangeland management program on public lands, increased habitat and watershed health, reclaim orphan and legacy oil and gas pads, roads, material pit sites, and fuel load reduction through control and management of invasive species and noxious weeds.

Carlsbad Soil & Water Conservation District

15.237 - Rangeland Resource Management

BLM New Mexico Region [DOI - BLM]

Eddy, New Mexico United States

County-Wide

Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Rangeland Resource Management (L22AS00340)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 455% from $1,467,323 to $8,142,800.