New Mexico land boss cancels auction for land along border

New Mexico’s top land boss says he is canceling next week’s auction of a parcel of state trust land along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn initially pledged to auction the land along the international boundary after sparring with the federal government over trespass concerns.

Dunn claims the government never received authorization to access the trust land via an easement and has not compensated the state for using the property.

Dunn says he will leave the matter for the incoming land commissioner, Democrat Stephanie Garcia Richard, to handle. She will take office Jan. 1.

The parcel is among millions of acres around the state that are held in trust, with the proceeds of any easements, development or leases helping to fund public schools and other beneficiaries.