Yesterday, following the meeting on the Organ Mountains in Las Cruces, RPNM released the following statements: “The diversity of opinions at today’s event was clear,” said RPNM Communications Director, Jamie Dickerman. “There are many people across New Mexico opposed to this expansive and over-sweeping legislation and its likely devastating effects to their livelihoods. Today, many joined their voices to ask our Senators to reconsider their legislation, to go through the appropriate legislative channels, and to look at Congressman Pearce’s monument proposal instead of taking such broad stretches of our land and placing it under federal control. As we have said for years, local control of lands helps maintain local interests. Many New Mexicans depend on responsible uses of the land surrounding the Organ Mountains to carry out their daily jobs, and while we can all support preservation of the rich beauty of this land, we must do so reasonably—without taking away all rights of local citizens.” “Senators Heinrich and Udall have introduced dangerous legislation that would designate a huge portion of New Mexico’s land as a monument and place it under federal control, directly placing the livelihoods of many New Mexicans under increased government control, said RPNM Chairman John Billingsley. “This threatens access by emergency personnel and law enforcement, water rights, land use, and much more. It is a slap in the face to all who depend on the land surrounding the Organs.” “We are grateful to all who showed up to stand in opposition to this legislation,” continued Billingsley. “We are also thankful that Congressman Pearce has approached the protection and preservation of the Organ Mountains in a much more responsible and reasonable manner. We support his legislation which goes through the legislative process of debate and deliberation to designate a much smaller portion of the land as a monument. His legislation also importantly protects water rights, grazing rights, access for emergency personnel and law enforcement, and ensures vital uses of the land. Congressman Pearce’s legislation shows his close concern for his constituents and their livelihoods—as well as his accountable leadership. We hope that our Senators will sincerely take in the concerns that were presented by the public today, and lead forward with accountability to those who put them in office.”
Posted on: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 20:08:18 +0000