THE AGENCY THAT OVERSEES 13 MILLION ACRES OF FEDERAL LAND IN NEW MEXICO IS NOW SITTING ON THE SIDELINES, WAITING FOR THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN TO COME TO AN END. DONNA HUMMEL WITH THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT SAYS 754 EMPLOYEES IN NEW MEXICO ARE NOW FURLOUGHED, LEAVING 17 EXCEPTED WORKERS ON THE JOB.
HUMMEL SAYS, BECAUSE OF THE SHUTDOWN, THEY'RE UNABLE TO USE GOVERNMENT EQUIPMENT, CHECK E-MAILS, OR RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR PERMITS OR RIGHT-OF-WAYS.
HUMMEL, WHO IS ALSO FURLOUGHED, SAYS THE SHUTDOWN MEANS SOME POPULAR AREAS ARE NOW OFF-LIMITS, INCLUDING THE TENT ROCKS NATIONAL MONUMENT NEAR COCHITI .
