Bill In Congress Would 'Conserve' NM History
Monday, June 15, 2009
TAOS, N.M. - Conservation in New Mexico is about more than just wilderness and wildlife - a fact supporters say is reflected in a new bill recently introduced by Sen. Jeff Bingaman. S. 874 would create the El Rio Grande Del Norte National Conservation Area, protecting 235,000 acres in Taos and Rio Arriba counties that are key calving areas for elk and pronghorn and border an important migratory bird corridor.
John Olivas, northern director for the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and owner of JACO Outfitters in Holman, notes that in addition to ecosystems and hunting and fishing opportunities, the bill would protect traditional human uses of the land.
"Firewood gathering and herb gathering, grazing is another - all the language is in there that protects those traditional uses."
Olivas says it is important to protect the area now, given the threat of energy development - including the possible construction of power transmission corridors.
"It would halt oil and gas development and any type of development that could intrude on the aesthetics in this area."
He says the bill also would recognize the treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo and create two wilderness areas: the San Antonio Wilderness near the Colorado border and one around Ute Mountain.
Opponents of the bill worry that it could prevent industries like mining or energy development that could provide much-needed jobs for the area. Olivas contends that one of the best ways to create economic development for local communities is to protect the land and traditional uses of it.
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