Power Lines Threaten Rare Lizard: Feds Seek Public Input on Habitat Plan
Published Date: 12/1/2025
Notice
Summary
Nextera Energy wants to build a 137-mile power line in Roosevelt and Lea Counties, New Mexico, which might affect the rare dunes sagebrush lizard. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is sharing a plan to protect the lizard’s habitat and a draft environmental report, asking everyone to share their thoughts by December 31, 2025. This project could change the local landscape and needs careful review before moving forward.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Private land easements limit development
If you own private land in the project area, up to 6,000 acres of private land could be placed into conservation easements (about 3,678 acres of that within suitable dunes sagebrush lizard habitat). The Service says these easements aim to protect land from further large-scale development, and easements must be finalized within 18 months of the start of construction in dunes sagebrush lizard habitat.
State lands: 20,000 acres under restriction
The applicant proposes placing up to 20,000 acres of New Mexico State Land Office lands under Land Use Restriction or Condition (LURCs) for 35 years to improve habitat connectivity for the dunes sagebrush lizard. These LURCs are intended to connect conserved lands and would apply to State Land Office lands in New Mexico.
137-mile transmission line approved for 60 years
If the permit is issued, the project would build a 137-mile, 345-kV transmission line in Roosevelt and Lea Counties with a 150-foot right-of-way (about 2,506 acres), temporary laydown yards (about 141 acres), 359 acres of access roads, and transmission structures; the Service says covered activities would impact 277 acres of dunes sagebrush lizard habitat. The incidental take permit would last 60 years (expiring in 2085), after which the applicant plans to renew the permit or decommission the line.
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