New Mexico Wilderness Bill Sent to Senate Floor; Pew Hails Key Step in Legislative Process

The Campaign for America's Wilderness of the Pew Environment Group today applauded the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for approving The Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act (S. 1689) and sending it to the full Senate for consideration.

“We commend members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for taking this key step toward permanent protection of some of New Mexico's most beloved natural treasures,” said Jim Mathews, policy manager with the Campaign for America's Wilderness at the Pew Environment Group.  “The iconic Organ Mountains serve as a dramatic and colorful backdrop to the growing city of Las Cruces, providing a place for quiet solitude and recreation.”

Introduced by Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Tom Udall (D-NM), the measure will protect more than 250,000 acres of wild land in southern New Mexico as wilderness and create a 100,000-acre National Conservation Area around the Organ and Dona Ana Mountains and parts of Broad Canyon.

“We urge Congress to quickly take up and pass this important conservation measure,” said Mathews.  “Crafted through years of consensus building in the community, it has the support of hunters, business owners, conservationists, members of faith groups and local municipalities, and will ensure that the area's stunning mountains and majestic lands will stay as they are – free of encroaching development – for future generations to enjoy.”