The head of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department wants the Bureau of Land Management to reconsider a decision regarding oil and gas development on southern New Mexico's Otero Mesa.

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Joanna Prukop said Friday she has formally asked the federal agency to withdraw its environmental assessment and decision record and finding of no significant impact for oil and gas exploration on Otero Mesa.

"We're asking the BLM to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement, since some of the data used is as old as 1997," Prukop said. "They need to take a hard look and address new information and changed circumstances, as required by federal regulation and by their own BLM Policy."

The mesa is one of the last undisturbed areas of Chihuahuan desert and is home to hundreds of species of plants, mammals, reptiles, birds and insects.

Drilling opponents, including Gov. Bill Richardson and Prukop, have warned that oil and gas production on the mesa could impact the area's wildlife and contaminate groundwater.

In September, BLM established rules for the Harvey E. Yates Co. of Roswell, known as Heyco, which proposes drilling an exploratory natural gas well on Otero Mesa. The agency has said it worked hard to come up with a plan that would allow development while protecting the mesa.

In the appeal, Prukop said the BLM did not provide a 30-day public review period of the proposed "Finding of No Significant Impact" prior to making a final decision that an environmental impact statement was not needed.

ON THE WEB

New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department's appeal: www.emnrd.state.nm.us/MAIN/OteroMesa.htm