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P.O. Box 1864 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 (505) 982-2568
or delayed by a listed plant species and/or the presence of plant species habitat. The
San Juan College Herbarium has played an important scientific role in species
identification and analysis, determination of realistic mitigation measures and the
implementation of agency-approved mitigations.
Case in point is Western Refinings recently permitted and constructed Lybrook West
Pipeline. This project was permitted by the BLM, Farmington Filed Office under strict
mitigation measures. The mitigation measures called for cactus removal, storage and
relocation under the supervision of a qualified horticulturalist. These measures were
carried out by San Juan College staff in collaboration with the Herbarium Curator. This
project would have been significantly delayed without the assistance of the San Juan
College staff and the Herbarium Curator.
The Colleges Herbarium and Curator is currently assisting Rancho Santa Ana Botanical
Garden to complete a DNA analysis of one BLM Species of Concern that has proven
especially problematic to the industry in development of the Mancos Shale Play. This
DNA analysis will greatly assist in providing proper management for this species while
allowing development of important energy reserves. The awareness that this study is
needed came from the San Juan College Herbarium staff.
Given the role San Juan Colleges Herbarium plays in the permitting of energy projects,
NMOGA would like San Juan College to consider a 2-year reprieve in the proposed
reduction of the Colleges Herbarium. This will give the School of Science, Math and
Engineering time to secure future grant funding for the Herbarium and its curator.
Sincerely,