New Mexico seeks to protect land in national monument
WASHINGTON – On the heels of a battle with the Trump administration over its review of two national monuments in New Mexico, Democratic Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich are seeking congressional approval to place about half of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument near Las Cruces under a more restrictive wilderness designation.
The monument, which encompasses nearly a half-million acres, was targeted for possible size reductions by the U.S. Interior Department last year, but Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke ultimately recommended only management changes. Trump hasn’t formally approved Zinke’s recommendation.
Legislation introduced by Udall and Heinrich this week would establish eight new wilderness areas comprising 241,786 acres within the monument. A wilderness designation is the most restrictive protection on federal land and generally prohibits motorized vehicles, along with roads and other construction. The designation does not prohibit camping, hiking, fishing and other traditional recreational activities.
“Wilderness designation will enhance recreational opportunities in these pristine areas for hiking – as well as preserve traditional hunting and grazing uses and protect sensitive archaeological sites from destruction,” Udall told a Senate Energy and Natural Resources subcommittee Wednesday.
Read more: https://www.abqjournal.com/1130680/nm-seeks-to-protect-land-in-national-monument-ex-heinrich-udall-want-special-wilderness-designation-for-half-of-organ-mountainsdesert-peaks.html