Blasting is underway as part of a safety reclamation project in the Prehistoric Trackways National Monument north of Las Cruces, in the area known as Community Pit #1.
The work began on Dec. 13, with explosive charges engineered to trigger controlled implosions that will take down rock walls currently standing at a height of 150 feet, which the Bureau of Land Management’s Las Cruces District Office said are unstable and pose safety hazards.
“During initial blasting activities, access to Prehistoric Trackways National Monument will be temporarily closed to the public and the roads and trails surrounding the community pit project area may have periodic limitations on access as remediation and reclamation occurs upslope,” BLM Las Cruces District manager Scott Cooke stated in a news release. According to the closure order, public access will be closed on 24 to 48 hours’ notice of explosive work.
Public lands surrounding the area will remain open to the public, the agency said, stating on its website that work is expected to continue through August of next year.
The national monument, situated in the Robledo Mountains, was designated in 2009.
More information is available through the BLM Las Cruces District Office at 575-525-4300.
