State’s delegation praises legislation that includes a number of new conservation efforts in New Mexico
President Barack Obama signed an omnibus bill today that would enact a number of new land-preservation measures in New Mexico, including creation of a national monument in the Robledo Mountains in Doña Ana County and a new wilderness area in San Miguel County.
In signing the bill, carried in the Senate by Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., Obama called it “among the most important in decades to protect, preserve and pass down our nation’s most treasured landscapes to future generations.” The bill designated an additional 2 million acres across the nation as wilderness — the highest protection allowed under federal law.
Included in the bill is Bingaman’s measure to protect fossilized prehistoric trackways in the Robledo Mountains that are 290 million years old. The bill does that by establishing a new, 5,367-acre national monument around the trackways.
“Doña Ana County has gained an important national monument that will be protected for generations to come,” Bingaman said in a news release.
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., touted the establishment of the 16,000-acre Sabinoso wilderness area in San Miguel County in his news release. As a former House member, Udall authored the legislation creating that wilderness area.
“The Sabinoso Wilderness is the product of years of work by the entire community, including local leaders, sportsmen, land owners and ranchers,” Udall said in a release. “The preservation of this incredible landscape will now remain for the permanent benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations.”
House members also praise signing of bill
Members of the U.S. House from New Mexico also praised the president’s signing of the bill.
“From the Snowy River Cave in Lincoln County to the prehistoric trackways in the Robledo Mountains in Doña Ana, this package of bills provides important protections for some of the natural treasures we have throughout southern New Mexico,” said Rep. Harry Teague, D-N.M.
“In the West, we know the value of water and the value of the places where we hunt, fish and recreate with our families,” said Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. “This law will help us maintain these places and the cultures that they support.”
“By protecting and enhancing the natural and cultural resources which are integral to the identity of New Mexico and America, this bill ensures the prolonged existence and availability of forest lands and natural resources for future generations,” said Rep. Ben R. Luján, D-N.M.