Commentary: LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO – U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewel will travel to Las Cruces on Friday, December 9, to highlight the economic benefits that healthy and protected public lands provide to local communities, as well as efforts to expand access to the outdoors for diverse communities.
Jewell will highlight southern New Mexico’s own Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, which has seen a sharp increase in visitation since the monument was established by President Obama in May 2014.
According to Bureau of Land Management statistics, overall visitation to the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument grew to 170,451 people in Fiscal Year 2016, a 102 percent increase over 84,197 visitors in Fiscal Year 2015.
“It’s been remarkable for Doña Ana County,” said Carrie Hamblen, CEO and President of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce. “The 170,000 visitors in Fiscal Year 2016 to the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument translate into many more meals in our restaurants, many more room-nights for our hotels, and increased success of our local small businesses. We’re expecting these numbers to continue to grow, and for our national monument to be a cornerstone of a sustainable economic future for our region.”
Recent polling data show that Doña Ana County residents overwhelmingly support the National Monument designation by more than a 4-to-1 margin (61 percent positive to 14 percent negative; http://bit.ly/OMDPpoll2016).
"A diverse, multi-cultural and multi-faith effort representing the wishes of the people in this community came together to seek monument status for the Organ Mountains and surrounding Desert Peaks, and we couldn't be more thankful for the legacy they've helped leave for our children," ,” said Gabe Vasquez, Southern New Mexico Outreach Coordinator for the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. “The hard work of President Obama, Secretary Jewell, and our Congressional delegation, as well as sportsmen, business owners and other diverse coalition partners is paying off.”
“As we continue to protect the natural and cultural heritage of our public lands, along with access opportunities for recreation, our region should continue to see more tourism, economic growth, and the attraction of retirees and entrepreneurs who weigh quality-of-life factors when considering relocation,” Vasquez continued.
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