NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has initiated a two-year segregation period for the upper Pecos Watershed in Santa Fe. This move protects about 165,000 acres of public lands from new mining claims and new federal mineral leases. Story continues below Podcast: Tent Rocks National Monument reopens with new fees and new rules News: Albuquerque man accused of shooting stepmom asks judge to spend Christmas Eve with family Trending: Tingley Coliseum undergoes renovations as governor looks to possibly move state fair site  Don't Miss: 15-foot tumbleweed snowman pops up in Socorro The Bureau of Land Management says it is now working with the U.S. Forest Service to propose that the secretary implement a 20-year withdrawal to help secure the area's water and air quality, cultural resources, wildlife habitats and more. That proposed withdrawal would protect lands in San Miguel and Santa Fe Counties, including Dalton Canyon, Macho Canyon, Wild Horse Creek, Indian Creek and Doctor Creek. The Bureau of Land Management says it will be opening a 90-day public comment period on that proposal.