Wilderness Alliance Blasts Pearce’s Bill

June 26, 2008

By Heath Haussamen. (Excerpt–to read entire article go to http://haussamen.blogspot.com). U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce introduced a bill last week that would eliminate all wilderness study areas in Doña Ana County and require the sale of tens of thousands of acres of federal land, igniting new controversy in the longstanding battle over the area’s land and development.

At issue is what to do with hundreds of thousands of acres of federal land around Las Cruces, the state’s second-largest city. In introducing House Resolution 6300, Pearce is taking the side of People for Preserving Our Western Heritage, a coalition of ranchers and other business owners who want a less-restrictive designation for most or all of the land in question.

The group formed two years ago in opposition to the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance’s proposal to give a permanent wilderness designation — the highest level of protection — to more than 300,000 acres of land in the county. The Wilderness Alliance plan has widespread support from local governments and newspapers.

The ranching group called Pearce’s bill “innovative land-protection legislation” in a news release. Pearce’s bill would leave Doña Ana County with no federal land designated as a wilderness area or a wilderness study area.

“We are gratified that Congressman Steve Pearce has recognized our efforts of the past two years by introducing this legislation,” said the ranching coalition’s president, Tom Cooper. “Congressman Pearce remains steadfast in his efforts to meet the desires and expectations of the citizens of the 2nd Congressional District and the state. We greatly appreciate his efforts, and we applaud him for his consistently strong stand to protect the property rights and the heritage of all Americans.”

The Wilderness Alliance, meanwhile, held a news conference on Monday to blast Pearce’s proposal.

“This is an assault on Doña Ana County, its residents,” said county Commissioner Oscar Vásquez Butler. “… It’s a slap in the face.”

Las Cruces City Councilor Nathan Small, an employee of the Wilderness Alliance, called Pearce’s bill “an attack on our public lands.”

The chances for the Republican congressman’s proposal may be dim in a Democratic-controlled House. Jude McCartin, spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., said the bill “will not be considered by the Senate, and it would be very surprising if the House considered it.” She said Bingaman does not support Pearce’s legislation “in large part because it weakens current public-land protections in areas that include the Organ Mountains.”

A spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., said the senator had no comment on Pearce’s legislation. Pearce’s office had no immediate comment but said a news release will be forthcoming.

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