The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is withdrawing the final Land Protection Plan (LPP) for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. The withdrawal of the LPP will ensure America’s lands continue to support energy development, agriculture production and our local economies.
The Service has determined this withdrawal supports President Trump’s Executive Order 14154 of January 20, 2025, “Unleashing American Energy.� This Executive Order was further implemented by the Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum under Secretary’s Order 3418 of February 3, 2025. The withdrawal of the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge LPP directs the Service to cease land acquisition within the acquisition boundary created by this LPP.
“Consistent with the priorities of the Trump administration, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to reducing regulatory burdens, strengthening partnerships with state and local stakeholders, and ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources,� said Service Principal Deputy Director J Shirley.
The Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge LPP contemplated a large land acquisition program, potentially adding up to 700,000 acres of lands and interests in land to the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, within a vast 7-million-acre landscape in Western Texas and Eastern New Mexico.
By withdrawing the LPP, the Service will take no actions to acquire lands within the acquisition boundary, seek any appropriations from Congress or submit any land acquisition proposals for approval by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission for any lands within the LPP expanded acquisition boundary.
The final Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge LPP that was signed on June 15, 2023, is officially withdrawn upon publication in the Federal Register on July 31, 2025.
As the oldest national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service� for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge in Texas, Muleshoe is an integral part of the local community. We value our ongoing relationships with local stakeholders and remain committed to being a good neighbor and partner in conservation in this area for many years to come.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Flickr.
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