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Rally Monday to Oppose Pearce Anti-Wilderness Bill

For several years, conservation and community groups in Dona Ana County have worked to build support for the designation of several areas throughout the county as wilderness, including the Organ Mountains. However, on Wednesday, June 18, Congressman Steve Pearce introduced a bill, HR 6300, in Congress that would undermine this broad community consensus and strip wilderness protection for all lands in the county.
The majority of citizens throughout Dona Ana County support the “Citizens Proposal” which would protect hundreds of thousands of acres throughout the area.  Unfortunately, a small group of ranchers and off-road vehicle users have convinced  Pearce to eliminate temporary and permanent wilderness protection and sell off our public lands.  This current action taken by Pearce clearly goes against the public sentiment to protect public lands in Dona Ana County. We can’t allow a small group of special interests to decide how our public lands are used.

A coalition of local groups is organizing a press conference and rally and urges everyone to
come together to strongly oppose HR 6300.

Date: Monday, June 23
Place: Southwest Environmental Center (275 N. Downtown Mall, Las Cruces, NM)
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1 p.m.
If you are unable to attend the rally please take the time to call or email Congressman Steve Pearce to voice your opposition to HR 6300:
Las Cruces Office:  (575) 522-2219
D.C.  Email: link through website: house.gov/pearce

What HR 6300 Would Do:

-Eliminate all current wilderness protections in the eight wilderness study areas in Dona Ana County, including the Organ Mountains
-Mandate the sale of up to 60,000 acres of federal public land in Dona Ana County.
-Create a new process for selling off public lands in Dona Ana County and let a hand picked special interest group committee decide how Dona Ana County grows
-Reduce federal funding for acquiring and protecting important natural areas.

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