State Land Office tells Roosevelt County some roads lack formal easements; offers discounted amnesty fee

Representatives from the New Mexico State Land Office appeared before the Roosevelt County Commission on Sept. 10 to discuss rod counts and easements where county roads cross state trust land. State Land Office staff including Eric Nelson explained that the office must secure fair market value for trust land use and that many county roads are being used without formal easements.

Nelson and other State Land Office representatives described an amnesty program that significantly reduces one-time easement fees for counties and municipalities; the representatives said the discount reduces a previously cited $20–$30 per-rod fee to approximately $1.16 per rod for eligible applications. County GIS Technician Johnny Montiel asked for clarification of the rod-count methodology, noting a discrepancy between the county’s rod-count calculations and the State Land Office’s figures.

Commissioners asked what was required to bring Roosevelt County into compliance; State Land Office staff said the county must agree to an accurate rod count for affected road segments and pay the assessed easement fee to regularize use. Much of the meeting’s discussion focused on a specific stretch (NRRAV to the bombing range) but officials said that stretch represents only a portion of total rod counts across the county. No easement agreement or payment was approved at the Sept. 10 meeting; commissioners and State Land Office staff indicated follow-up meetings would be necessary to reconcile rod counts and options.

Commissioners did not take formal action but requested additional clarification from county staff and State Land Office representatives before any payments or agreements are made.