Over 100 years ago, a New Mexican named Edgar Lee Hewett drafted a piece of legislation that would become known as the Antiquities Act. Many know that Republican Congressman John F. Lacey sponsored and passed this legislation and that President Teddy Roosevelt signed it and put it to great effect. Too few remember that it was Hewett, working tirelessly to protect places like Bandalier and Chaco Canyon, who crafted the words. This week, over 100 years later, Hewetts work was the law used to protect the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. New Mexico has always led the nation in conservation policy. Names like Leopold, Anderson and Udall are synonymous with that history. The name Hewett should be among them. After all his law has been used in New Mexico not just to protect the Organs, but also White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, Bandalier, Chaco Canyon, and El Morro. Places that drive our economy and preserve our history and Culture.
Posted on: Fri, 23 May 2014 16:58:38 +0000
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