The New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts has entered into a partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and the State Land Office to assist in implementing Coordinated Resource Management Plans (CRMP)on BLM Allotments in New Mexico.  This effort assists New Mexico Ranchers in providing improvements on their ranch, which could include federal allotments, state leased land and private land. 

This initiative began in 2005, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service approving nine EQIP contracts in the Pecos District of the BLM for over $900,000.  These contracts are targeted to improve habitat for the lesser prairie chicken and the sand dune lizard.  Some of the practices to be installed include:  37,000 acres of brush management, 180,000 feet of Fence, and 42,000 feet of livestock water pipelines.  These practices will allow for better planned use of the ranch to enhance grazing, while also improving habitat.  Funds are being received from the BLM and the State Land Office to serve as matching funds for the EQIP contracts.  Ranchers have begun implementing the practices.

Restoration of abandoned oil and gas field sites is another component of the CRMPs.  Plans call for restoring 230 acres or about 40 sites.  This includes reshaping the sites, removal of remaining facilities such as tanks, pipelines, and  power lines.  Cost for the restoration is expected to exceed $700,000.  Funds are being received from donations by Oil and Gas Companies for this work.  The sites will be seeded and fenced as part of the EQIP Contract with each rancher. 

An additional 15 CRMPs developed for 2006.  NRCS has funded EQIP contracts in 7 counties in New Mexico for $906,000.  This includes contracts in all four of the BLM Districts.  This work implemented in 2007.