New Mexico\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most recent Wilderness designation was the Ojito, northwest of Albuquerque. Ojito was the first Wilderness in over 20 years. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wonderful we might not have to wait so long for another.<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00bb Do\u00c3\u00b1a Ana County Wilderness Bill Introduced! \u00e2\u20ac\u201d New Mexico Wilderness Alliance \u00c2\u00bb<\/a> <\/p>\n Sportsmen, business owners, conservationists, local elected officials and other community members hailed the introduction today of The Organ Mountains \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Desert Peaks Wilderness Act<\/strong>, by Senator Jeff Bingaman and Senator Tom Udall. The measure will protect nearly 400,000 acres of public land in Dona Ana County, by designating 271,050 acres as wilderness and creating a 109,600-acre National Conservation Area around the Organ and Do\u00c3\u00b1a Ana Mountains and parts of Broad Canyon.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u00c2\u00bb Do\u00c3\u00b1a Ana County Wilderness Bill Introduced! \u00e2\u20ac\u201d New Mexico Wilderness Alliance \u00c2\u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n Senators unveil Do\u00c3\u00b1a Ana County wilderness bill | NMPolitics.net \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Heath Haussamen on New Mexico Politics<\/a> <\/p>\n The bill does include fewer acres designated as wilderness than the wilderness coalition had sought, but it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s largely in line with the coalitions\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 proposal. Bingaman said the areas that would gain protection \u00e2\u20ac\u0153boast caves, limestone cliffs and winding canyons that draw visitors to Do\u00c3\u00b1a Ana County.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153To that end, it is my hope that it will also help promote tourism and economic development in the region,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bingaman said. <\/p>\n Udall said preservation \u00e2\u20ac\u0153is the right thing to do \u00e2\u20ac\u201d environmentally and economically. Thanks to the cooperation of a wide range of individuals and groups in developing this legislation, I believe we strike the right balance between preservation and progress in a way that will benefit southern New Mexico for generations to come.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n Bingaman chairs the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and said in the release he will schedule a hearing on the bill this fall. <\/p>\n Bingaman\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s office also made available maps of areas that would be protected: <\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 An overall map of the county<\/a> <\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Desert Peaks National Conservation Area<\/a> <\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Organ Mountain National Conservation Area<\/a> <\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Potrillo Mountains Complex<\/a> <\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Prehistoric Trackways National Monument<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Senators unveil Do\u00c3\u00b1a Ana County wilderness bill | NMPolitics.net \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Heath Haussamen on New Mexico Politics<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New Mexico\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s most recent Wilderness designation was the Ojito, northwest of Albuquerque. Ojito was the first Wilderness in over 20 years. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wonderful we might not have to wait so long for another. \u00c2\u00bb Do\u00c3\u00b1a Ana County Wilderness Bill Introduced! \u00e2\u20ac\u201d New Mexico Wilderness Alliance \u00c2\u00bb Sportsmen, business owners, conservationists, local elected officials and other … Continue reading \u00bb Do\u00f1a Ana County Wilderness Bill Introduced! \u2014 New Mexico Wilderness Alliance \u00bb<\/span> \n