New Mexico sues over Otero Mesa leasing

ALBUQUERQUE, April 22 (UPI) -- New Mexico officials filed a lawsuit Friday challenging a federal decision to allow oil and gas leasing on Otero Mesa in the southern part of the state.

Gov. Bill Richardson and Attorney General Patricia Madrid joined a group of ranchers and hunters in announcing the lawsuit against the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

"This lawsuit is the result of the Bureau of Land Management's willful disregard for the state of New Mexico's interests," the governor said.

Richardson said the BLM is supposed to apply balance in managing the public lands and cooperate with the governor of a state. He proposed an alternative plan for leasing but it was rejected by the BLM.

The Otero Mesa is considered North America's largest and wildest Chihuahuan Desert grassland remaining on public lands, according to the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance.