Members of the Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee (Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee) heard testimony today on The El Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act (S.874) which will protect public land in northern New Mexico. Jim Mathews, Washington Representative of the Campaign for America's Wilderness, said:
"We applaud members of the Senate Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee for today taking testimony on the El Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act. This action marks an important step toward enactment of this legislation, which will protect for future generations some of New Mexico's finest wild country."
"From the steep cliffs of the Rio Grande Gorge plunging 800 feet to the Rio Grande River, to the volcanic cone that is the iconic Ute Mountain, the area boasts some amazingly spectacular scenery that befits this 'Land of Enchantment.' The area is part of one of the great migratory routes in the world, visited by ospreys, eagles, willits, hawks, merlins, falcons, herons, hummingbirds and avocets."
"We commend Senator Bingaman for his leadership on this key conservation measure, which will protect nearly 236,000 acres in northern New Mexico as a National Conservation Area, and will designate more than 21,000 acres as wilderness. The Senator crafted this measure with input over several years from a broad group of area interests, including sportsmen, conservationists, land grant communities, local elected officials, and the business community. With the help of cosponsor Senator Tom Udall, we hope to see this measure to protect this national treasure — with its significant trove of recreational, cultural, ecological, and scenic resources — become law soon."
