As a guide/outfitter, sportsman, recreationalist, land-grant heir, and "norte-o," I depend on the near-by wild and undeveloped public lands for the welfare of my business and my family's well-being here in Northern New Mexico. Having public land available to hunt, fish and hike on is the foundation of my livelihood. That's one reason I feel strongly about the need to protect the El Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area and Ute Mountain in Taos County.
Sen. Jeff Bingaman has recently introduced an important conservation measure to do just that, which will ensure that these lands will stay as they are, for the use and enjoyment of future New Mexicans. His proposal protects the use and rights of the traditional northern communities, which are very important to us.
I currently operate my business on five public land districts throughout New Mexico, and without this public land available, I would be forced to move out of the north and return to the city where jobs are more prevalent.
I did the city life for some years, and worked in the public and private sectors with minimal job satisfaction. Through my outfitting business I was able to move my family back home to rural Northern New Mexico where my business has flourished.
Because of the clean industry of outfitting, I am able to make a good living, and there is no better place than Northern New Mexico for keeping my family and raising my children.
I think of what I do as "living off the resource." Traditional people continue to live this type of lifestyle and the importance of land and water goes hand-in-hand with our work.
My resource is the wildlife that includes elk, mule deer, black bear and antelope to name a few that exists on these protected places. As residents and visitors come to experience hunting, fishing, hiking and camping here in Northern New Mexico, Bingaman's proposal will help guarantee that these resources can remain protected for future generations.
More and more people are recognizing that the opportunities ecotourism can bring into rural New Mexico are endless. This environmentally friendly industry can provide the chance to make a decent living in jobless areas in rural New Mexico, and remain on the land that their grandparents and great grandparents called home.
More than nine in 10 people in this state hunt on public lands, and New Mexico's hunters spend more than $150 million annually pursuing this sport. Our anglers contribute another $176 million to the state's bank account, and together with hunters support some 8,000 jobs. They help keep small businesses like mine thriving. That's why it wasn't surprising to me that several important local groups recently passed resolutions in support of the proposed conservation act. The Taos County Commission and the Chambers of Commerce of Mora Valley and Taos each went on record backing this bill last month.
Business leaders and local elected officials, more than most, understand the importance these lands play in our quality of life here and in protecting our livelihoods.
At an Economic Development Workshop in Questa recently, three of us shared our stories with community members about how we've been able to stay in rural New Mexico through our outfitting businesses. Children who grow up in these rural communities hunting, fishing and hiking the hills have the ability to turn what they know into a viable environmentally clean business. But our wild public land is critical to keeping these dreams and work alive.
I want my kids and theirs to have the opportunity to continue in this tradition if that is what they choose to do. That's why I hope Congress will act on Sen. Bingaman's El Rio Grande Del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act soon. It will preserve grazing and traditional uses, recognize the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and protect the rights of our traditional communities for future generations. And ultimately, it will protect our way of life.
John Olivas owns and operates JACO Outfitters, LLC in Holman.
