Otero Mesa facts for kids
Otero Mesa is a huge natural area in southern New Mexico. It covers about 1.2 million acres (which is about 4,900 square kilometers!). This special place is part of the northern Chihuahuan Desert, a large desert region.
For a while, between 1954 and 1965, the United States Army bought ranches on Otero Mesa. They did this to make their Fort Bliss military base, specifically the McGregor Range, even bigger.
In 2005, a government agency called the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said it was okay to look for oil and gas there. This process is called exploratory drilling. However, the state of New Mexico and groups that care about the environment disagreed. They started a legal challenge, hoping Otero Mesa would become a protected wilderness area instead.
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What is Otero Mesa?
Otero Mesa is a vast, mostly untouched area. It's known for its wide-open spaces and unique desert plants. The mesa gets its name from its flat-topped shape, which is common in desert landscapes. It's a key part of the Chihuahuan Desert, which stretches across parts of the United States and Mexico.
A Special Place for Wildlife
This large area is home to many different animals. One of the most famous is the Pronghorn, which looks a bit like an antelope. These fast animals roam freely across the mesa. Otero Mesa provides important habitat for many other creatures too. It's a place where wildlife can thrive without much disturbance from people.
Why is Otero Mesa Important?
Otero Mesa is important for several reasons. First, it's one of the largest undeveloped grasslands left in the Chihuahuan Desert. This means it's a rare and valuable natural space. It also helps protect the underground water supply. This water is vital for both wildlife and people in the region.
Protecting Otero Mesa
The future of Otero Mesa has been a big topic of discussion. In 2005, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) decided to allow companies to explore for oil and gas. But many people felt this would harm the environment.
On April 28, 2009, a court called the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit made an important decision. They ruled against the BLM's plan to lease Otero Mesa for oil and gas. The court said the BLM didn't properly consider two things. First, they didn't think about an option where no drilling would happen at all. Second, they didn't fully check how drilling might affect the underground water. An oil company named HEYCO had been waiting to start drilling for natural gas. But the court's decision put their plans on hold.
The United States Department of the Interior has also suggested a different idea. They have proposed making Otero Mesa a National Monument. A National Monument is a special protected area. It would help preserve Otero Mesa's natural beauty and wildlife for future generations.
