Doug Zilm
I’ve been disappointed that some members of Congress don’t think we can afford to protect our public lands. Earlier this month House Republicans put forth proposals that destroy key land and water conservation measures. They claim that clean air and safe water is too expensive, and will cost jobs.
But most New Mexicans know this is a false choice. We can create jobs and safeguard public lands. How do I know? We’re already doing both.
Everyone understands the importance of cutting costs at the federal level. That said, we can’t allow short-term thinking to endanger our families, or to short-circuit our potential for long-term economic growth. That’s why I was troubled to see that New Mexico’s own Congressman Steve Pearce introduced a budget amendment to zero out funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), funding that not only protects essential public land and water reserves but also strengthens our economy.
Those of us who live in Silver City can see firsthand the important role public lands play in our economy. As a manager of a local grocery store, I see every day the many people who travel here to enjoy the Gila Wilderness, and the many people who have chosen to live here because of nearby natural areas.
What’s true in Silver City is true throughout the state: According to the Outdoor Industry Foundation, the outdoor industry contributes $3.8 billion annually to the state’s economy and supports 47,000 New Mexico jobs. Tourism, which relies on protecting our natural beauty and quality of life, is the second largest industry in the state.
Good for business
The fact is that protected public lands are good business for New Mexico and other western states. And most New Mexicans agree. In a new bi-partisan poll of state voters conducted by the Colorado College State of the Rockies project, 75 percent believe that we can protect land and water and still have a strong economy with jobs – without having to choose one over the other. Over 80 percent of New Mexicans agree that, “even with state budget problems, we should still find the money to protect our land, water and wildlife.”
I know that many of the new congressional representatives in Washington honestly believe that government should be cut to the bare bones, and that every conservation program that can be eliminated should be. But this ideological passion ignores the importance of public lands to Silver City and to dozens of similar communities across the state.
And it’s not just the jobs that these protected lands create. New Mexicans love our open spaces and natural areas, and we want to protect them for generations still to come.
Despite what they think in Washington, New Mexicans know that we can protect our public lands and build our local economies. Whatever the fad of the day in Washington, safeguarding our natural assets is essential to New Mexico’s future. With the right leadership, we can protect our public lands and build our local economies.
Let’s remind Representative Pearce that we expect him to represent real New Mexicans, and to stand up for good jobs while safeguarding natural areas. In the meantime, we will count on Senators Bingaman and Udall to stop the short-sighted House proposals, and to continue to protect our western lands and way of life.
Doug Zilm lives in Silver City and is a member of the board of directors of the Southwest New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce.