New Mexico · no longer on BLM's map
Muñoz Canyon
BLM's map stopped showing it on Aug 24, 2026. BLM's list of past areas doesn't carry it either, and we found no plan decision removing it. When BLM's map last showed it, on Aug 18, 2026, it was 268 acres, designated September 1, 2003 in the Farmington Resource Management Plan. BLM found a cultural value, a scenic value and a historic value here, and its plan calls for special management.
One of the 50 areas BLM's map stopped carrying in August 2026. This page shows what the last read held, without its line: until BLM says why its map dropped it, we don't show where it lies. We don't count what sits inside an area BLM's map no longer carries.
BLM is also reviewing the 2023 mineral withdrawal around Chaco Culture National Historical Park, which its Farmington Field Office handles. Its release names no ACEC, and we haven't checked whether this area lies inside the withdrawal.
Issued in 2023, the order closed approximately 336,404 acres to mining and mineral leasing for 20 years, subject to valid existing rights. Following Executive Order 14154 and Secretary’s Order 3418, the BLM is reviewing this withdrawal.BLM press release, "BLM Seeks Input on Proposed Withdrawal Revocation Near Chaco Culture National Historical Park," Jul 15, 2026, read Oct 18, 2026
More from BLM's New Mexico office
Every area BLM's New Mexico office holdsThe proposed rule
A proposed rule, RIN 1004-AF53, would change how BLM drafts every land use plan, and how it designates ACECs like Muñoz Canyon. The comment window hasn't opened: the proposed rule wasn't in the Federal Register at our last check. The Watch sends one email the day it prints.
The rule's abstract
The purpose of this rulemaking is to establish in regulations an updated process for the approval of the development, revision, amendment, and maintenance of land use plans, as provided for by the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, for public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Additionally, this rulemaking will provide clarification of the process the BLM uses for designating Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.Unified Agenda entry for RIN 1004-AF53, Publication ID 2026, reginfo.gov (OMB OIRA), read Oct 18, 2026