New pastures will provide free-roaming environment for animals in overpopulated herds

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Bureau of Land Management announced June 20that it is seeking proposals for new public off-range pastures that provide a free-roaming environment for wild horses removed from Western public lands while also allowing for regular public visitation.

The  announcement is part of the BLM’s effort to address the growing overpopulation of wild horses and burros on public rangelands. As of March 1, the wild horse and burro population on public lands was estimated at 81,951 animals, which is more than triple the number of animals the land can support in conjunction with other...

WINDOW ROCK—President Russell Begaye on Monday signed seven contracts totaling more than $3 million to fund new construction projects, as well as appraisals and assessments of other projects across the Navajo Nation.

The contracts, which come with a total price tag of $3,052,309, will help fund a variety of projects benefiting the Navajo people.

“When we spend Navajo dollars, we’re looking for projects that directly benefit the people while also keeping an eye on the future,” President Begaye said.

The contracts include:

$2.4 million with Showlow Construction for a parking lot and access road at the Little Colorado River Tribal Park.

$447,620 with Arrow Indian...

A historic meeting of the UNM Board of Regents was hosted at the UNM Gallup Branch June 12.

The BOR hosted its regular meeting in an open and closed session at the Student Services Technical Center, and Regent President Rob Doughty thanked the Gallup community for its hospitality.

“It’s a real honor to be out here today, I speak on behalf of the board. I just learned this morning that this is the first time in 50 years that Board of Regents has been here,” he said.

Doughty added, “It truly is an honor and I just wish to say thank you to the folks here in Gallup for all of your hard work.”

Dr. Garnett Stokes, UNM president, provided her administrative report and said...

Mayor wants to hear more community feedback

The Gallup City Council is considering implementing a plastic bag ordinance to address pollution on city streets.

The issue was raised at the past two regular meetings of the City Council and due to limited input from the community, a public hearing on the single use bag ordinance was held June 12.

City attorney Curtis Hayes shared a PowerPoint presentation outlining the pros and cons of the ordinance.

“The city of Santa Fe uses a fee system, the purpose of which is to encourage people to bring their own bags because they’re being charged by the retailer if they have to use a retailer provided bag,” he said.

If there is a fee...