Applications to lease will be considered only for such lands as may be shown to be open for leasing upon the tract books of the New Mexico state land office and, although priority in time of filing ordinarily will determine the preference right to lease, the commissioner reserves the right to reject all applications, at any time before lease issues, and to withhold from leasing or to offer the lease to the highest bidder therefor. Leases may not exceed two thousand five hundred sixty (2,560) acres.
N.M. Admin. Code § 19.2.3.8