The Las Cruces Sun News reports that President Obama will designate a new National Monument Wednesday to protect the Organ Mountains and surrounding areas. The newspaper cites an unnamed "White House official."
The newspaper also states that the President's designation will closely follow legislation introduced by Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich. Senator Udall provided this information on that legislation when it was re-introduced last December:
The bill conserves land in an area stretching across the Organ, Doña Ana, Potrillo, Robledo and Uvas mountains, home to game animals, such as pronghorn sheep and deer, as well as rare plants and animals, some found nowhere else in the world, including the Organ Mountains pincushion cactus. It encompasses Broad Canyon, Sleeping Lady Hills, Rough and Ready Hills, Picacho Peak, Mount Riley, Peña Blanca and Bishop's Cap. And it contains over 5,000 archeologically and culturally significant sites, including Geronimo's Cave, Billy the Kid's Outlaw Rock, Spanish settlement sites, and numerous petroglyphs and pictographs.
The national monument proposal is the result of many years of research and conversations with the surrounding communities, as well as White Sands Missile Range, Fort Bliss, and the U.S. Border Patrol.
Importantly, the bill preserves existing grazing rights and vehicular access to 100 percent of roads leading to currently used water wells, troughs and corrals, and it enhances hunting and other outdoor recreation opportunities. It also strengthens border security in the region by releasing wilderness study areas within five miles of the international border, creating a buffer area for Border Patrol activities, and adding an additional road for border security purposes.
The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Conservation Act:
- Boosts the economy and creates jobs. A recent study found that new visitors would generate $7.4 million in new economic activity and create new jobs.
- Conserves wildlife habitat and enhances hunting opportunities for generations to come.
- Protects some of Southern New Mexico's most iconic vistas and preserves important landmarks and archeological and cultural resources.
- Increases flexibility for Border Patrol to conduct operations.
- Directs the completion of a watershed restoration assessment that will support flood prevention.
- Maintains existing grazing allotments under the current rangeland management guidelines.
Rep. Steve Pearce introduced a bill in the House to protect the Organ Mountains. That legislation protected far less land, but was touted by those opposing the Senate bill. Opponents were also vocal in stating legislation, not a Presidential decision, should determine the future of preservation.