Congressman Lujan’s legislation to protect nearly 236,000 acres in northern New Mexico took an important step toward enactment today, as members of the House Natural Resources Committee heard testimony from Northern New Mexicans. Both Senator Jeff Bingaman and Senator Tom Udall are original cosponsors of the legislation in the Senate. First introduced in 2009, the bill is the product of years of conversation and collaboration among northern New Mexico communities and stakeholders.
This important conservation bill makes good sense, both socially and economically. This land is a trust we inherited from our forebears and we need to be good stewards, to ensure that this shared natural treasure will be part of our grandchildren’s heritage. Congressman Lujan’s legislation will preserve the area around the Rio Grande Gorge just as it is today, so that our descendents can use and know the area just as we have.
- Esther Garcia, Mayor of Questa, who testified on behalf of the legislation before the committee