Guidelines for minimizing impacts of specific land use practices on wildlife and wildlife habitats.

Desert bighorn sheep in southwestern NM.

The New Mexico Wildlife Project Guidelines are provided in an effort to encourage incorporation of conservation practices in the earliest possible stages of project development. They contain conservation measures, with respect to specific land use practices, targeted toward minimizing impacts of projects on wildlife and wildlife habitats.

Entities desiring biological reviews of projects are requested to submit information on the project via the New Mexico Environmental Review Tool (NMERT), including the information listed below.

For questions about the NMERT, please contact Ginny Seamster, Assistant Chief for Technical Guidance, at virginia.seamster@dgf.nm.gov.

• Project proponent contact information
• Location (be as specific as possible– county, address, legal location etc.) and maps
• Project description including timing of project implementation and a list of key project activities
• Site description, including information such as topography, vegetation types and drainages. Photographs of the project site are helpful.
• Any analysis of project effects that has been completed, or reference to effects of similar previous projects
• Proposed mitigation activities
• Environmental documentation (EA, EIS), if applicable
• Project reviews are normally completed and comments returned within 30 days of receipt

Project Guidelines

Core Guidelines

- Beavers in New Mexico: Coexistence and Relocation (2025)

- Bridge and Culvert Construction Guidelines for Stream, Wetland, and Riparian Habitats (Updated 9-04-2025)

- Burrowing Owl Surveys and Mitigation (2007)

- Communication Tower Project Guidelines NMDGF (2001)

- Lesser Prairie Chicken Survey Protocols (2022)

- Livestock Wildlife Fence Guidelines (2003)

- Ponderosa Pine Restoration Guidelines (2024)

- Powerline Project Guidelines (2007)

- Restoration and Management of Native and Non-native Trees in Southwestern Riparian Ecosystems (Updated 2-21-2024)

- Riparian Grazing Guidelines (2023)

- Trenching Project Guidelines (Updated 3-22-2022)

- Wildlife Baseline Study Guidelines and Appendix (Updated 09-05-2024)

- Wind Energy Guidelines (2012)

Additional Guidelines

- Assessing Methods for Reducing Deer Vehicle Accidents (2000)

- Effects of Roads on Wildlife and Habitats (2005)

- Mining Guidelines (2004)

- Mule Deer Habitat Guidelines for Colorado Plateau Shrubland And Forest Ecoregion (2007)

- Mule Deer Habitat Guidelines for Southwest Deserts Ecoregion (2006)

- New Mexico Quail Habitat Guidelines (2008)

- Oil and Gas Guidelines (2007)

- Sand Dune Lizard Recommendations (2004)

- Wildlife Habitat and Hunting, New Mexico's Roadless Areas (2006)

Links

BISON-M: Species Account & Habitat Database

New Mexico State Forestry: Rare Plants

New Mexico Environmental Review Tool

New Mexico Natural Heritage Office

USFWS Endangered Species