The Newsletter of the Wilderness Alliance

Special Mobile GIS Issue

Now Available: Wild Guide 2011 on page 3

on Page 11

Volume 8, Number 1—Winter 2011 from the executive director

The Newsletter of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance winter 2011

Inside This Issue: Our Birthright Needs Your Voice...... 2 Get Out There!...... 3 /Desert Peaks Act...... 4 Protecting the ‘Thin Places’...... 5 El Rio Grande Del Norte...... 6 Our Birthright Needs Your Voice

The Mexican Gray Wolf capra stephen landscape: Student Perspectives...... 7 By Stephen Capra Making Contact: In Memory of “Walks-in-My- he election season has now cal process. Then force the cuts to come from Footsteps”...... 8 passed us, and the results were agencies like the Forest Service, the Park Service, far from positive for the en- or Bureau of Land Management or use the deficit New Mexico’s Painted Box...... 9 vironment. There were some ruse to try to sell off the public lands that define Mescalero Group Holds bright spots, however, such as our way of life in the West. Otero Mesa Sacred...... 10 the election of Ray Powell to the In the end, this is a fight for the soul of our State Land Office. That was perhaps the most state, for the soul of the West. My vision, and FEATURE: The Dark Side Timportant counterbalance to the new antien- that of many, remains a West that lives within its of the Moon...... 11 vironmental tornado that is Governor Susana means. Meaning that there is water today and Martinez, and the return of the man who wants into the future, and that it is a place where all MOBILE GIS: Revolutionizing to sell off our public lands, eliminate all forms of native species share the land with ranchers and Wilderness Inventory...... 13 government, and have us all live on the pad of cities. That means a land with wolves and other Mobile GIS Project 2011 Map...... 14 an oil derrick—Congressman Steve Pearce. large predators. We cannot go backward; rather, It is a sad fact of politics that you reward your we need all hands on deck in an effort to restore Wilderness Stewardship friends and punish your enemies. So if you are our rivers, restore our lands, close off precious Challenge...... 15 an oilman or a dairy producer or have a strong trails in the San Francisco Canyon to vehicles. Love Them or Lose Them...... 16 interest in drilling for uranium or fancy dispos- Like those who demand less government (the ing of high-grade nuclear waste, New Mexico Tea Party), we, the people who care about the A Life Dedicated to is open for business. If, on the other hand, environment (the Leopold Party), must make Conservation: Noel Cooley...... 17 you value protected open space or believe that our voices heard! We must show up at town hall Wilderness Walks...... 17 clean drinking water is essential to our future meetings, we must show up when Congressman and that tomorrow’s jobs are here today in the Pearce wants to spin his yarn about overtaxed New Mexico’s Lack of green-energy sector, perhaps you should speak and overregulated peoples and demand that he Environmental Laws...... 18 to governors in states like , Montana, or stop and listen. And our new governor must California. Because we in New Mexico now have hear the sound of water—clean, cool water— Water: The Staff of Life...... 19 leaders who want to promote the old West, one and understand that it is our lifeblood, not to be The Answer May NOT Be based on exploitation, greed, and no regard for thrown away for political payback and dirty pits. Blowing in the Wind...... 20 future generations. Finally, let’s be thankful for a man like Ray You know that when we see people like Powell, for he is the great counterbalance to this Steve Pearce: He’s Back!!...... 21 Harrison Schmitt asked to run an agency as new nineteenth-century mentality. In the coming Join the Challenge: 2% is important as Energy, Minerals and Natural Re- years, his role will be crucial in protecting state Not Enough...... 22 sources. (Note to Mr. Schmitt: global warming lands in Otero Mesa, transferring state lands in is not a Communist conspiracy. It is reality.) You wilderness areas to the feds. It is good to know Our Forests—Our Future...... 23 know it when someone like Congressman Pearce that in Ray we have a person of integrity and one believes he represents our state while he schemes who not only gets it but feels it in his soul. to push agencies to kill Mexican wolves and tries We are launching our new website in mid- Cover photo: to push legislation to sell off public lands. It is February; I welcome your words, pictures, and Rio Chama Wilderness, by Nathan Newcomer part of a pattern of distortion and delusion by thoughts about protecting and honoring our well-choreographed political rhetoric. Talk about great lands and the wildlife that makes them so www.nmwild.org taxes, talk about freedom, demand less govern- special. As a fellow Leopolder, I simply ask that ment, and allow institutions like Fox News you speak out for these lands. They may be our to spread this to the masses, who do not fully birthright, but they are in desperate need of our understand the role of government or the politi- voice.  2 New Mexico Wild! Winter 2011 New Mexico Wilderness Alliance GET OUT THERE Main Office 505/843-8696 Fax 505/843-8697 [email protected] www.nmwild.org By Craig Chapman P.O. Box 25464, Albuquerque, NM 87125 Las Cruces Field Office Let the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance show you why 275 N. Downtown Mall we believe that the motto“Land of Enchantment” is an Las Cruces, NM 88001 understatement. The new Wild Guide 2011 contains: 575/527-9962 Santa Fe Field Office • Guided hikes to remote places 341 E Alameda St • Volunteer service projects into areas that few ever see Santa Fe, NM 87501 505/216-9719 • Articles from diverse and sometimes unexpected sourc- Mission Statement es, such as a rancher’s perspective on the importance of The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is dedicated to wolves to land preservation the protection, restoration, and continued enjoyment of New Mexico’s wildlands and Wilderness areas. • Winners of an international wilderness Haiku contest NMWA Staff • Contributions from local artists expressing their love of Albuquerque Office the land Stephen Capra, Executive Director • Definitions of environmental Nathan Newcomer, Associate Director Tisha Broska, Development Director acronyms and understanding Roxanne Pacheco, Finance Manager the complexities of environmental protection Trisha London, Membership & Grassroots Assistant Craig Chapman, Special Events Coordinator Hiking on the trails Roger Turner, Member and Volunteer Coordinator dancing to the magical tunes Judy Calman, Staff Attorney of wilderness tales Rachel Freund, Bureau Chief —Craig Chapman, USA; Wild Guide Editor Carlsbad Office Steve West, Staff Scientist To order your copy of Wild Guide 2011, contact Craig Chapman, [email protected]. Or, order online at www.nmwild.org by clicking the cover icon on our homepage. You can order on Amazon.com or Las Cruces Office Jeff Steinborn, Southern Director buy a copy at REI, and other local bookstores listed on our website. Nathan Small, Wilderness Protection Coordinator Santa Fe Office “The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance’s “The book is graced with superb Demis Foster, Community Partnership Dir. Wild Guide 2011 is a quirky blend of fact photography and eye-catching design. Northern New Mexico and opinion, of art and whimsy. It’s also It’s also organized so you can read a John Olivas, Northern Director a useful guide to the outdoors in New short section or two at a time, or sit Silver City Office Mexico and a means to finding both and pore over it at a leisurely pace.” Kim McCreery, Outreach Coordinator organized outings and volunteer projects —Albuquerque Journal Board of Directors to occupy your weekends.” Jim Hickerson, Cedar Crest, NM (Chair) —Albuquerque Journal Bob Tafanelli, Las Cruces, NM (Vice-Chair) Nancy Morton, Albuquerque, NM (Secretary) Tripp Killin, Albuquerque, NM (Co-Treasurer) Volunteer Service Projects Gary Glenn Hartwick, Roswell, NM (Co-Treasurer) Featured Project: Rick C. Aster, Socorro, NM March 27—Sandia Wilderness, removing relics Nature Journaling Ken Cole, Albuquerque, NM of the past (fencing) with leaders of the future Esther Garcia, Questa, NM Date: April 16 from UNM Todd Schulke, Silver City, NM The workshop: Nature Journaling with Brooke Williams, Moab, UT Margy O’Brien. This interactive workshop is David Soules, Las Cruces, NM April Doug Chinn, Albuquerque, NM meant to open your eyes to the nature all Guided Hikes Dave Wheelock, Santa Fe, NM around you. The workshop is for everyone, from April 19—Organ Mountains, ethnobotany with Claire Long Cote, Questa, NM beginners to advanced artists of all ages, and Alex Mares Advisory Council will include some limited hiking and exploring. April 30—Domingo Baca Canyon, lush streams John Kavanaugh, Albuquerque, NM Dave Foreman, Albuquerque, NM You will have plenty of time to draw or paint, and waterfalls so you will need to bring a blank book and writ- Bob Howard, Santa Fe, NM Volunteer Service Projects Rick Wiedenmann, Carlsbad, NM ing and art materials. Margy O’Brien has made April 8−10—La Acequia de la Sierra, Chacon, Randy Gray, Missoula, MT a career as an artist by melding her dual love Acequia cleaning in northern NM, serenaded by Jim Baca, Albuquerque, NM of art and nature. Teaching nature journaling harp and guitar Newsletter Staff refreshes her passion for the practice—not just April 23−24—Village of Questa, trail building Nathan Newcomer, Managing Editor the how but the why. Paula Eastwood, Design Editor on the Las Vistas de Questa Trail Hilary Handelsman, Copy Editor The Place: Elena Gallegos Open Space Picnic April 23−24—Black Canyon Creek, a restora- Area; Albuquerque, New Mexico What is Wilderness? tion project with environmental scientist The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Meals: Lunch will be provided. Matt Schultz, NMED Wilderness Preservation System to preserve the last Maximum Participants: 25 remaining wildlands in America. The Wilderness Act, as Project Leader: Tisha Broska federal policy, secures an enduring resource of wilder- May ness for the people. Wilderness is defined as an area Guided Hikes that has primarily been affected by the forces of nature Other Upcoming Events listed in May 14— Gila Middle Box, Burro Mountains, with the imprint of humans substantially unnoticeable. It is an area that offers outstanding opportunity for Wild Guide 2011: Gila National Forest, led by our resident carni- solitude or a primitive or unconfined type of recre- March vore biologist, Kim McCreery ation, and an area that contains ecological, geological, Volunteer Service Projects or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or Guided Hikes Broad Canyon Ranch, partnering with Audubon. historical value. March 12—Mesa Gallina, surprising opportu- Dates to be determined; contact Beth Bardwell nity for solitude at [email protected] March 19—Broad Canyon, known for its May 3−5—Petaca Pinta Wilderness Study Area, sublime beauty explore and document plant and animal species in the region May 6−8—Delaware River, a weekend “bioblitz”

www.nmwild.org 3 campaign updates

The Hispano Chamber of Com- merce de Las Cruces and the Las Organ mountains– Cruces Green Chamber of Com- merce have endorsed wilderness protections in Doña Ana County Desert Peaks Act and worked tirelessly to advance them, persuasively making the isappointing many, the Udall, along with their respective case that conservation can bring By Nathan Small Congress ran staffs, deserve high praise for their increased economic opportunity. Dout of time before acting willingness to embrace strong con- The Back Country Horsemen of on the Organ Mountains–Desert servation goals and for their tireless America, Lower Rio Grande, has Peaks Wilderness Act. Indeed, the work to protect permanently natu- joined with sportsmen’s organiza- 111th Congress failed to act on any ral treasures like the Organ Moun- tions and others to craft compro- conservation legislation, despite tains. Their work in Doña Ana mises that still guide boundaries bipartisan support for wilderness County has demonstrated a strong to this day. Local residents have bills from Tennessee to Oregon. It conservation ethic, a willingness to turned out in force through count- is important, however, to note the work with all stakeholders, and a less community meetings, whether Recent elections incredible strides 2010 saw when commitment to the long haul. convened by local stakeholders or it came to local community con- We all share New Mexico’s great by Senator Bingaman. Wilderness changed Congress, servation efforts, particularly with challenge—that it lags behind all Wednesdays have brought together the Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks Western states in the amount of food, art, and fun for social events but permanent Wilderness Act. protected public lands and is next that emphasized strong community As introduced on September 19, to last when it comes to protected through conservation. Wilderness conservation needs 2009, the Organ Mountains–Desert Wilderness areas. New Mexicans walks, service projects, and com- Peaks Wilderness Act stood out as should be encouraged that we have munity building events will all in Doña Ana County a solid piece of conservation legis- conservation champions like Sena- increase in 2011. lation. It proposed the permanent tor Bingaman and Senator Udall Land conservation efforts have a have not changed. designation of Wilderness in eight working to improve the Land of En- strong tradition of bipartisan sup- Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) and chantment’s dismal standing behind port, and it is important to note The Organ Moun- included a large National Conserva- other Western states on this most that it was under President Reagan tains—from their tion Area at the base of the Organ important of scorecards. that most of the areas proposed for Mountains. This NCA encompassed Of course conservation efforts protection in the Organ Mountains- majestic peaks to parts of the Doña Ana Mountains to grow strongest when nourished by Desert Peaks Wilderness Act were the north and stretched south close vibrant grass roots. Community given temporary Wilderness status their rolling foot- to the state line, ensuring support has always been the foun- (called “Wilderness Study Areas”), that open space will be available for dation for local wilderness protec- which protected nationally impor- hills—demand future residents and visitors alike. tion efforts. Over 200 businesses, tant public lands while their fate Furthermore, parts of citizen-rec- dozens of local organizations, four was deliberated by Congress. It was protection to ommended Wilderness areas in the local governments, and thousands Senator , a Repub- and Broad of citizens have spent more than lican, who first proposed in 2005 preserve a region’s Canyon Country were incorporated five years working to bring per- that we take the next step and outdoor way of life. into the Organ Mountains–Desert manent protections for the Organ protect all these Wilderness Study Peaks Wilderness Act. Mountains and other nearby natural Areas, including the Potrillo Moun- Senator Bingaman and Senator treasures. tains, as federal Wilderness areas. Recent elections changed Con- gress, but permanent conservation needs in Doña Ana County have not changed. The Organ Mountains— from their majestic peaks to their rolling foothills—demand protec- tion to preserve a region’s outdoor way of life. The petroglyph-lined canyons of Broad Canyon coun- try need protection, both for their ancient art and their critical wild- life habitat. New Mexico’s largest potential BLM Wilderness area, the Potrillo Mountains, needs perma- nent protection to ensure that this amazing landscape nurtures future generations. Community support for wilder- ness protection efforts has not changed. 201l will bring renewed energy to Doña Ana County con- servation efforts. Wilderness walks, service projects, and Wilderness Wednesdays all show a strong grass roots whose call is the same as it has been for over five years: protect the Broad Canyon Organ Mountains and other nearby natural treasures, and do it now!  4 New Mexico Wild! Winter 2011 campaign updates

scripture tells us is declaring the glory of God, we feel re- freshed and inspired. People often feel this way in places like Otero Mesa. The vast- ness of the wilderness makes us small before God. Wilder- ness teaches us about hu- mility and reminds us that humans are not the only part of creation that God loves or that loves God in return. The and the desert hare both sing praise. Otero Mesa also reveals God’s providence— expressed in the way each species is uniquely adapted for life in the desert. From the speed and alertness of the pronghorn antelope to the life that springs forth after a rain. Wilderness re- connects people to basic principles and the reality of a Creator-God. It awakens Painting by Albert Bierstadt, 1830-1902 awareness to questions of life and death, spiritual forma- tion, right relationships and religious values. It can even help shape our lives and the systems of society so that they integrate with the demands Protecting the of God and creation. The Religious Campaign for Wilderness, longtime friends of ours, held a retreat to articulate the spiritual values of Otero Mesa. Christianity has long taught that wilder- ness, more than most other places, offers op- ‘Thin Places’ portunities to discern the qualities of our Creator without defilement or defacement. Places that are By Whitney Kraner protected from human development preserve a uniquely vivid testimony about their Creator and estoring Eden is a Christian allows our children and our children’s children so are particularly able to convey the spiritual organization working to to encounter God in the stillness of the desert. lessons that God intended creation to reflect. help Christians rediscover Desert wilderness has long been a place of spiri- • Wilderness offers inspiration; when we be- the biblical call to love, tual renewal. Luke 5:16 says, “Jesus went into come quiet, we can feel stillness in nature, which serve, and protect God’s cre- the desert wilderness to pray.” The desert has a engenders stillness in ourselves. ation. We are encouraging seemingly magical ability to make us draw closer • Wilderness is a teacher of humility; under the New Mexico Governor Mar- to God, to humble us, and to remind us that we open sky, the untrammeled desert seems vast tinez and President Obama to designate Otero are kept in the hand of God. Job 12: 7−10 says, and humans small. Wilderness reveals our insig- RMesa as protected Wilderness in order to pre- “But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; nificance in the face of the cosmos; it reminds serve the state’s beautiful and diverse landscapes the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or us how large God is because God is the Creator. for future generations. the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; This leads us naturally to thanksgiving, worship, Otero Mesa is a unique ecosystem, home and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who and prayer. to over 1,000 native wildlife species, includ- among all these does not know that the hand of • Wilderness is a vision of the original world ing black-tailed prairie dogs, desert mule deer, the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of preserved; in wild places we see the world con- mountain lions, golden and bald eagles, and every living thing and the breath of all [human- nected and integrated. In wilderness every part over 250 species of songbirds. It also boasts the ity].” The earth has taught us about systems and of creation plays a role and serves the other state’s healthiest and only genetically pure herd of webs that are naturally found in every biological parts. Everything has a place. pronghorn antelope. Not only is this area of the community, from the forest to the sea. These sys- • Wilderness helps us know ourselves; in soli- state home to diverse species; there is also evi- tems and their connections remind us of why, as tude the prophets encountered a God and a nat- dence that the Salt Basin aquifer, which originates humans, we are called to love our neighbors. ural system that soars beyond human wisdom. in Otero Mesa and travels south into Texas, is the In wilderness, in the celebration of solitude As we go in solitude and reflection, we can learn largest untapped fresh water resource remaining and in the stillness we often hear the voice of to know ourselves. We can learn to hear the in New Mexico. Otero Mesa is worthy of protec- God more clearly. The Celtic Christians called small voice of God within ourselves. tion for these ecological reasons alone, but as a these the “thin places,” where the wall that • Wilderness cultivates spiritual discernment; Christian organization, Restoring Eden believes separates God from humanity is somehow thin- wilderness is a place where one can find deep there are additional reasons for us to support des- ner, and the presence of God is more powerful. inspiration and truth. There are fewer human ignating this area as Wilderness. Wilderness des- In these “thin places” we can see and hear God distractions. This is the traditional spiritual role ignation will protect this amazing place from the more clearly. We can know his greatness and be of wilderness. Its value is that it helps one join ravages of industrial oil and gas exploitation and humbled before him every time we see a moun- head, heart, and hands. preserve a piece of creation so that people can tain or grass-covered valley. Wilderness reminds • Wilderness encourages moral perception experience God’s glory for years to come. us about humility and pride in many ways— and strength; the physical and mental demands The creation of designated Wilderness areas through the huge expanse of the night sky, which continued on page 16

www.nmwild.org 5 campaign updates El Rio Grande del Norte

By John Olivas

orthern New Mexico is known for its vast landscapes and pristine wa- tersheds, which shape the beautiful range that we know as the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. In the San Luis Valley near the New Mexico/Colora- Ndo state line, on the western slopes of the Sangre range, lies the proposed El Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area (NCA), a stretch of federal public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The proposal encompasses two Wilderness areas, Cerro del Yuta Wilderness Area (13,420 acres) and the Rio San Antonio Wilderness (8,000 acres, currently a BLM Wil- derness Study Area), as well as the infamous Rio Grande Gorge, the first Wild and Scenic River System in the United States. With this proposal, 235,980 acres would receive additional land pro- tection from future road development, mineral exploration, and subdivisions. The effort to protect this area in north cen- tral New Mexico goes back many years, to the tenure of 3rd Congressional District representa- tive in the late 1980s and early 1990s. A proposal was introduced by then Rep- resentative Bill Richardson but did not make it out of Congress. Today we still lack the protection this legisla- tion would provide. During the 111th Congress, NMWA made significant progress in Washington DC on the proposed legislation. On April 23, 2009, the conservation community, including NMWA and its members, celebrated the intro- duction by New Mexico Senators and of S874, which was intended “to establish El Rio Grande del Norte National Con- servation Area in the state of New Mexico.” By mid-June, 2009, S874 was on its way to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Commit- tee. In committee it passed unanimously with bi- partisan support. On December 16, 2009, S874

went through Senate markup. The next step was ood Senate floor time, and, if passed, the legislation would have gone to President Obama’s desk to El Rio Grande

be signed into law. Unfortunately, this did not east w paula happen. All these steps must be retaken in the 112th Congress, and NMWA will follow the bill of individuals signed on as supporters of the ef- Whites Peak Land Exchange Update every step of the way! fort to protect El Rio Grande del Norte National Whites Peak has been a major topic of discussion The failure of the Omnibus Land Package Bill Conservation Area. for the past two years. The case currently sits in the 111th Congress lame duck session was a As we move into the early stages of the 112th in the hands of the New Mexico state Supreme major blow to the conservation community’s ef- Congress, the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance Court. The concerns of the sportsmen’s commu- forts over the previous two years on the El Rio and our allies have begun to plan strategically nity are that the land swap between private land Grande del Norte National Conservation Area for our efforts in 2011 and beyond. NMWA has owners in the Whites Peak area and the New proposal. Many great organizations and com- some exciting new projects and partnerships in Mexico State Land Office would affect people’s munities were involved in taking S874 as far northern New Mexico that we look forward to access to, and ability to recreate in, the area. A along in Congress as it went. A few of those sharing with you in future newsletters. These new road was in the process of being built in supporters included the San Antonio de Rio projects will center around the motto that is near conjunction with the land swap; the New Mexico Colorado Land Grant, the Village of Questa, the and dear to all our hearts: “Protect land, water, Attorney General issued a response, however, Taos County Commission, and the Taos and and culture for future generations.” stopping any future work until the state Supreme Mora Chambers of Commerce. More than one Court makes its decision. Please stay tuned for hundred Taos County businesses and thousands future updates on this developing story.  6 New Mexico Wild! Winter 2011 The Mexican Gray Wolf Student Perspectives

On July 30, 2010, NMWA invited ized by her words and her charis- young conservationists to attend a ma. She told us about the history presentation by Elke Duerr, author of the lobos, her early life, and her of Wild Wolf Film, a work that will professional work with wolves, raise public awareness of the and why it’s so important to bring Mexican wolf reintroduction effort. them back. The following are excerpts from In the midseventies the move- two of the students’ reflections ment started to arise to help after the event. protect them from shootings and other risks of harm. Organizations was moved by Elke Edith were able to captively breed a Duerr’s work toward pro- small number of lobos over the tecting our fellow beings, course of twenty years until there the wolf. Duerr began her were one hundred, at which point presentation by sharing they were released into the wild. herI early experiences with wolves The wolves were expected to mul- with her father in Germany. In Ger- tiply quickly, but by 2008, there so Elke calls this wolf Walks in my ity by shoveling endangered feces many wolves were killed for sport were only fifty left. In 2009, their Footsteps. But, very unfortunately, which I am now able to say I did. I and were regarded as little more numbers decreased again to forty- a few months prior to this event, am so happy to have participated than vicious pests. Duerr said two. As of 2010, forty lobos remain. Walks in my Footsteps was shot in this experience. Seeing animals that it is of utmost importance to But what could lead to such a and killed by a hunter. up close and personal which I as- change this conception of wolves. dramatic fall in population? This Elke encouraged everyone to do pire to work with in the future was Wolves are just as important to the is something Elke told us about their part in saving not only wolves a priceless experience that I will world as you or I. Duerr spoke of prominently…Out of fear, desire but the planet, humankind, and any remember and value for the rest a connection she had with one of for money, and pleasure of their other animal a particular person of my life. – Felicia Aragon, Humboldt the wolves she worked with. She appearance, wolves are routinely loves—hummingbirds, prairie dogs, State University student, Bosque Ecosys- described looking into the eyes shot and killed in other ways. anything. She said of the Earth, tem Monitoring Program (BEMP) intern of a wolf and seeing emotion and Another reason for the species’ “she needs us, and we need her.” intelligence. I feel that this experi- decline is loss of habitat from de- Because of this event and many ence is what moved me most of velopment. Without their others, the lobo wolves and every all. Duerr also said that those who precious forest, tundra, and des- other endangered animal—plus love wolves number few, but if ert, they have no shelter, place to the Earth—certainly have a better they combine efforts, hope for the roam and raise young, and their chance of survival. And many more protection of the Mexican gray food also dies out . . . people know that they matter too. wolf shines even brighter. When [the film preview] ended, − Sarah Munson, home-school HS − Melissa Rienstra, Bosque School Elke spoke again for the last time. student She told us about a wonderful ex- When [Elke] stepped up onto the perience she had a few years ago. With my experience in BEMP I stage and began speaking, every She was camping in the woods, have participated in many amaz- person in the room was mesmer- doing some studying on them, ing activities, one of which is a and she came across paw wolf experience which I will never prints of an alpha. He forget. My goal in life is to work was out hunting while his with large predators and I got the mate raised their puppies opportunity to work with the most The New Mexico Wilderness in their den, she said. The critically endangered large mam- Alliance is pleased to offer a next day, Elke returned to mal in North America, the Mexican limited edition of the first that same path, and found grey wolf. This was an amazing Conservation Wolf Stamp that he had walked in her experience for me to be able to see sold in the United States. footsteps after she had these incredible animals wildlife Proceeds will be used for walked in his. Then she biologists work with every day. a Conservation Wolf Stamp went along the trail again, The wolf captive breeding facility Fund, administered by NMWA and the next day she came staff at Sevilleta National Wildlife and distributed to organiza- back, and he had done Refuge was able to show students tions working for Mexican the same. Delighted, Elke from BEMP a special day at their Gray Wolf recovery. The stamp called her friend who per- facilities. We were able to see a was designed by New Mexico formed the dance in the litter of puppies get vaccinations artist Virginia Maria Romero. film to ask him if it meant and de-wormer. We also got to Order online at www.nmwild. anything. He informed help capture a straggler pup for org, or contact Trisha London her that it meant the wolf his turn for medical treatment. In at 505 843-8696, or trisha@ Elke Duerr had welcomed her, that addition to recording the data we nmwild.org. all photos courtesy of elke duerr he had accepted her. And were put to work cleaning the facil-

www.nmwild.org 7 Making Contact: In Memory of “Walks-in-My-Footsteps” By Elke Duerr

I just learned today that the alpha something deep and whole and primal and in- male Mexican gray wolf of the Hawk’s stinctive. I looked up, and there they were: four Nest Territory was shot. I call him of them together. He was among them, with his “Walks-in-my-footsteps,” and we had forged a mate and yearling offspring by his side. special bond just a few weeks ago when I was I was so touched by their magical visit and the visiting his territory in Arizona. His paw prints curious, unafraid gaze with which they greeted on top of my footprints on top of his paw prints us, their graceful dance toward the cattle fence, are on a tape that I recorded, which I will hold and how they took it in stride, making Houdini on to for dear life. look like a dilettante, that I wrote poetry right As always, I feel like a family member has after their appearance: died, which is no surprise to me, since I feel connected to all of life on a deep level and have You dance toward the fence an extraordinarily strong bond to the wolf na- Away from our human presence tion. As always, his death was a senseless act With that gait that is yours truly of ignorance paired with the right to bear arms. Going through life an artist Beauty in action, presence in motion, were Of hunting and prowling wiped out by a bullet. Playing and stalking But I digress. It is my aim to preserve his Rearing pups and frolicking beauty with my word, not to give voice to my Taking down your food as a team grief. To let you know whom we have lost so My heart is wide open now that we might preserve that beauty in the fu- Its gaze is following your silhouettes ture. I could be furiously knitting or gardening I cannot discern the cumbersome collars to alleviate my grief. But I choose love over Wrapped around your slender necks anger, and I choose writing over crying now. I have to tell you who he was . . . You take the fence in stride He was one of the first Mexican gray wolves The Houdinis of the wide-open range that I have ever seen in the wild. We had just Dancing through barbwire arrived in his territory, and I was setting up my Like it was invisible mesh tent among the trees when I could feel their presence. They have been here just recently When you are out of sight was the first thought that I had. My system I continue weeping with awe went on high alert, and my heart started to sing. And behold the blessing of your visit I had barely put up the tent when again, I felt To make it a keep save for my life.

The wolves have inspired me to be like them—fearless, curious, graceful, present, and guided by their intact instinctual nature. I have since practiced their art of living and being and integrated it into my own life. It has changed that very life. “Walks-in-my-footsteps.” He had made con- tact with me back then and again and again ever since. He gave me the honor of walking in my footsteps so that I might know him and feel his spirit. And I did feel his spirit in the core of my being, where intuition and whole- ness lie, many times. I communicated with him and wished him and his pack well, told them of my love for them and brought some special friends into his territory to share the blessing of the wolf presence with those I hold dear, who would understand. I still feel him in my heart, and I in turn honor him tonight with my words. Yet I know that he “Will-never-walk-in-my-footsteps-again.” And the world and my life are emptier

because of it. all photos courtesy of elke duerr 

8 NNeeww Mex Mexicoico W Wild!ild! Winter Winter 2011 2011 its name, but the entire region could be summed up in the same New Mexico’s phrase. Tuffs of red, orange, and black rock, carved by years of By Nathan Newcomer wind and water, form many dra- Painted Box matic canyons and bowls where wildlife tracks remain hardened in the clay. Over the course of two years now, the New Mexico Wilder- ness Alliance has been working with the Rio Puerco office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to revise its Resource Management Plan. This docu- ment will help shape how public lands in the district, including the Petaca Pinta area, will be managed in the future. Because Resource Management Plans are in place for fifteen to twenty years, it is important for the ood public to play a role in urging the agency to select best manage- Petaca Pinta ment practices for preserving paula east w paula wild landscapes. his is quintessential New Mexico …” in the middle of nowhere. As a part of this planning process, the New a friend of mine remarked to me as As we drove in on the bumpy road that morn- Mexico Wilderness Alliance and the Wilderness we left the Petaca Pinta country on a ing, we encountered a herd of forty pronghorn. Society have submitted a proposal to the BLM wintry afternoon. We had just finished Just a few miles later, we came to the edge of a recommending that the agency adopt a Special roamingT around this wild and untrammeled land- hill and looked out over the vast prairie, only to Recreation Management Area (SRMA) for Petaca scape, looking out the truck window at a soaring see another herd of forty pronghorn that, once Pinta country. This Petaca Pinta SRMA would en- Mount Taylor, with its snowcapped peak hanging having spotted us, took off in a mad dash. We compass approximately 130,000 acres and would above painted mesas that stretched out on the drove alongside them for a good five minutes, contain three proposed Wilderness Areas: Petaca horizon. Volcanic buttes and knobs lay scattered feeling as if we were on a safari in Africa. Pinta, Hill, and Mesa Gallina. We want around the valley floor. Abundant grasslands Petaca Pinta itself is an isolated, fingerlike ex- to ensure that these areas are managed in a way rolled into hills covered in piñon and juniper. tension from Blue Water Mesa that curves to the that will provide for enjoyment of this spectacu- From the highest point during our hike we could north before dropping sharply to the basalt lava lar region and preserve their outstanding wilder- see the Sandia and Sangre de Cristo Mountains, flows. The escarpment of Petaca Pinta exposes ness values, while maintaining the long-term goal Sierra Ladrones, and in the Jemez almost the entire 180 million years of the Meso- of congressional Wilderness designation. Mountains. zoic Era. The word petaca translates to “trunk for To learn more about this special gem in New As the crow flies, we were fifty miles from Al- clothes” or “box,” and pinta translates to “paint- Mexico, please contact Nathan Newcomer (na- buquerque, yet we both felt as though we were ed.” This geological monolith surely lives up to [email protected]). 

What’s Happened So Far? Issues to Be Addressed − Notice of Intent (to revise Resource Management Plan) was Identification of Lands with Wilderness published in the Federal Register (2/29/08). Characteristics − Scoping comment period (seeking input on what issues the BLM The BLM will review lands for characteristics highlighted in the 1964 should address in the RMP) was held (spring 2008). Wilderness Act such as naturalness, opportunity for solitude, and op- − Report summarizing the scoping comments received was published portunities for primitive or unconfined recreation. They will consider (summer 2008). how to manage these lands in order to protect these characteristics. − Visual Resource Inventory was initiated (to evaluate the scenic values) (fall 2010). Land Tenure Adjustment − Route Inventory was initiated (to identify roads and trails) The BLM will determine what parcels of land should be acquired, (ongoing). retained, or disposed of through sale or exchange. They will also con- − Analysis of the Management Situation (to evaluate the opportunities sider what areas should be considered for right-of-way corridors; what for management based on the resources on the ground) is currently easements should be acquired; locations that could be used for—or being developed. shouldn’t be used for—communication sites. What’s Scheduled to Happen Next? Mineral and Energy Development There’s plenty of time to get involved and make a difference! The BLM will determine what areas should be considered for a wide − Development and Analysis of potential Management Alternatives array of mineral and energy development, including: sand and gravel, (winter 2010) landscaping materials, oil and gas, biomass energy, wind and solar, − Public “Road Show” to introduce draft Management Alternatives and geothermal. They will also determine which areas should be ex- (spring 2011) cluded from this type of activity. − Public Comment Period on draft Management Alternatives (spring and summer 2011) Recreation and Visitor Services − Proposed Management Plan/Final EIS will be published (fall and The BLM will determine where certain types of recreation, including winter 2011) continued on page 10

www.nmwild.org 9 continued from page 9 motorized and nonmotor- ized, will take place—i.e., in Mescalero Group what parts of the Field Office and under what conditions. Holds They will look at what areas should be designated as Spe- Otero Mesa cial Recreation Management Areas (SRMAs) and how Sacred these areas would be man- aged to provide certain types From the Alamogordo Daily News of recreation experiences, By Elva K. Osterreich, such as hiking or backcoun- Associate News Editor, 1/30/2011 try hunting.

Visual Resource he mission of the group is to preserve tendencies, but there is an underlaying knowledge Management Otero Mesa and insure the history of the that once the Apache had a much bigger land base The BLM will assess “visual” Mescalero Apache connection to the area is than they do now. “We hardly go here and there resources, such as scenic vis- T recognized.“We envision Otero Mesa as a anymore,” he said. “But there is knowledge that the tas, and decide what level of place for Apache youth programs that will educate place was a place of refuge for my people culturally protection and management and inspire them by the unique lifestyle of their an- and traditionally.” are needed to maintain them. cestors,” says their mission statement. Members of Shay said once the people moved with the cli- the group feel many from Mescalero have lost the mate, wintering on the Gulf of Mexico and moving Special Area connection with their past and would like to see the north and south through Otero Mesa on their jour- Designations youth of the tribes become more involved in the his- neys. The nomadic lifestyle the Apache ancestors Several different special areas tory and legacy of the people. lived involved family groups, small bands as op- designations, in addition to “English is my second language. I was taught posed to large ones. “They thought it was a haven SRMAs, will be considered Apache first,” said Ted Rodriguez, who is head of the place for the people with plenty of vegetation and during the planning process. Traditional Elders Council and serves on various wildlife,” he said. “Apaches didn’t take it for granted These include: Areas of Criti- tribal committees. “We are retaining those tradi- didn’t deplete the resources.” cal Environmental Concern, tional values. It is hard to see the young people not Shay and the others feel the resources should be Back Country Byways, Na- have these values.” protected. The water, vegetation and creatures that tional Recreation Areas, Na- Otero Mesa served as a sanctuary of sorts for live there should be taken care of. He is in favor of tional Trails, Research Natu- the ancient Native Americans, mostly of various managing the resources to the benefit of everybody. ral Areas, Wild and Scenic Apache tribes, who moved through the grasslands. As nomads, the people took only what they needed Rivers. There are currently “As far as I’m concerned that’s where our ancestors to survive. “Still today the native people only take twenty-three Special Manage- roamed,” Rodriguez said. “A lot of the Apaches here what they need,” Shay said. ment Areas, but the BLM no don’t realize we have that history.” Rodriguez called The fourth member of the group is not an elder longer uses this as an official it a place to lose track of the world, a paradise to be but is the head of a Mescalero Apache Crown Dance designation, so the agency cherished and loved. “Personal and world problems Group. His position does not allow for his name will need to determine what can take a back seat to the peacefulness that I feel,” to be shared. “I’m a tribal member and traditional the correct designation for he said. “I hope to work with young people in the leader,” he said. “Anything that has to do with these areas is. schools, show them what their ancestors experi- Apache sites is important for the Apache people to enced. It is a personal thing I’m doing.” be part of the circle. The ancestors have been there Travel and Trails Alfred LaPaz, another member of the group, has for many years.” Management been on the tribal council and served in law enforce- There are a number of archeological sites on ment. He is worried about the possibility of oil and Otero Mesa that are Apache villages or camps, he The agency will consider gas drilling on the mesa. “The state has few places said. “A lot of our people didn’t know that existed,” what trails and roads will left that can be used (by the oil and gas industry) and he said. “These are deep roots for these people.” be open to motorized use, this could be the last one in the state that could be The younger generation is getting stronger with the which ones will have limited saved,” LaPaz said. He said he wants to build up an language and traditions, he said. The mesa is sacred motorized use, and which interest amongst the Mescalero to get more involved like a church. “You wouldn’t tear down a church and will be closed to motorized in the traditional past. “We need discussions about put up oil wells would you,” he said. “Here are the use, as well as what types of how our people roamed and lived out there,” he said. roots of our heritage.” other uses will be permitted “I feel the area is part of our people, like holy lands.” Styve Homnick is the only member of the group on trails. If the federal government does make Otero Mesa who is not Apache. He has worked for and with the into a National Monument, LaPaz would like to see tribe for more than 40 years. Homnick has found Public Land–Urban the Mescalero play a part in whatever might happen healing in southern New Mexico and Otero Mesa is Interface there. He feels his people can share their culture and a big part of that. “Everything I have around me, wild The agency will consider heritage with visitors. flowers, animals, trees and grasses, truly healed me,” management for areas where The reservation schools have taken a step toward he said. “I love working in groups that have a passion activities interface with where educating the students in traditional ways, LaPaz to create happiness. Making Otero Mesa a national people live. said. “They started setting up programs where the monument would bring a lot of happiness to people.  elders are teaching the language to the youth,” he To turn it into oil fields would be so sacrilegious.” said. “I feel pride that people are wanting to show Homnick said the problem is a factor of oil and and teach our younger people. I think we are a step water. There is no way to get away with pulling oil ahead.” Otero Mesa is a beautiful piece of land, LaPaz from the land without polluting the water. Also, the said. He said he has seen a lot of animals out there, oil available in Otero Mesa is “peanuts” he said but including birds, eagles and pronghorn. the water can serve the population of southern New Larry Shay also served on the tribal council and is Mexico for at least 100 years. the supervisor of the Mescalero Apache Arts To reach the group please call 505/937-8042 or program. He said his people have lost their nomadic email [email protected]. 

10 New Mexico Wild! Winter 2011 By Stephen Capra

n a cold January morning, Susana Martinez stood outside with a loud and happy crowd, and the swearing in of New Mexico’s, and the nation’s ofirst female Hispanic governor was complete. She stood before the people and talked about job creation, cutting taxes, and—well-coiffed and photogenic, as always—she talked about the his- toric nature of the day. That night at the gala ball, those who had made the strongest investment in her candidacy must have enjoyed the moment, the celebration. The oilmen, the dairymen, the executives at PNM, were all likely smiling. After eight years of fighting a warrior for conserva- tion—Bill Richardson—they had succeeded, and the future seemed bright. The Dark Side In neighboring Colorado and in California, new governors were also elected. Their goal: the promotion of their states as leaders in alternative energy and the development of green technolo- of the Moon gies, and to position their states for the real job growth. In New Mexico, our new governor has A New Era: Stopping Progress in New Mexico a different plan. Her mission: the deregulation of industry. The idea: that eliminating environ- mental regulations that trouble industry will bridled political payback. So while the majority …the train line going to Santa result in more job creation. Oil and gas for some of job growth in the private sector comes from time has held up the Pit Rule as an example of green technologies, not oil and gas, New Mexi- Fe, the Spaceport, and the real costly regulation that has moved oil and gas co’s new mantra appears to be “Drill me, baby, I operations out of state. The problem with that come cheap.” Never mind the long-term impact sense that we could be a leader is that oil prices are created on a world market on our lands, air, and water from companies and have no relevance to New Mexico. In recent hungry to exploit this third-world mentality. in alternative energy. Today, as years, with oil prices down on world markets, Think of New Mexico just a few short years rig counts have been reduced across the West. In ago: the train line going to Santa Fe, the Space- the oil and gas industry stands addition, despite the fact that it has been repeat- port, and the real sense that we could be a leader edly shown that the Pit Rule does not drive up in alternative energy. Today, as the oil and gas ready for payback, we are the cost of production, the new governor seems industry stands ready for payback, we are evolv- evolving into a state that could almost driven to remove this regulation from ing into a state that could become a dumping the books, despite its continued environmental ground for nuclear waste, as those in Nevada become a dumping ground for success. This clearly has more to do with ideol- have effectively said no to the dangers. New ogy than reason. Another way of saying it is: un- Mexico will welcome expanded drilling and nuclear waste…

try to remove the Pit Rule so that industry can continue its assault on our groundwater. This is not a blueprint for success, but rather one that will result in severe damage to our environment and our sources of fresh water and will in the long run cost us money in cleanup costs and in- creased health problems. Water remains crucial to our state and to our future. We cannot make more. Yet over the years oil and gas, real estate development, energy companies, and agriculture have often treated water as an endless resource, one they are en- titled to use or pollute at will—though water is the most essential ingredient in maintaining our quality of life and allowing for the sustainable use of our state and of our planet. Yet the word water to Martinez seems to mean “obstacle.” In one of her first decisions as gover- nor, she quickly threw out regulations intended to control the continuing daily discharge of poi- sonous waste into the state’s water supplies. State environmental officials have confirmed that at least two-thirds of the groundwater underneath or adjacent to dairy concentrated animal feed- ing operations (CAFOS) has been poisoned by nitrates. When other pollutants are included, es- timates of water contamination by these factory farms may exceed 90 percent in New Mexico. In recent years, the state legislature voted to

www.nmwild.org 11 One senses that Schmitt’s night; it was an eighteen-month process that had time may be limited by his the direct input of industry and some nineteen inability to stop talking in days of public hearings. What we have now, in public settings. Let’s hope the words of Joanna Prukop, the former head of that most New Mexicans the very agency that Harrison Schmitt is in line find his reasoning skills out to take over, is a “contamination legacy” and one of the mainstream. that cannot be changed by “old rules, regula- There was a time in elec- tions, and attitudes.” tion politics when it was In the last campaign cycle, big oil made its said, “It’s the economy, stu- presence felt in New Mexico. Besides its gener- pid,” referencing the fact ous giving to the Martinez campaign and the that you cannot be elected fact that the industry got its Texas brethren to without addressing the is- do the same, it targeted six Democratic candi- sue of the economy first. dates whose support for conservation was not Today in New Mexico, the to its liking. New Mexico Turnaround was a economy aside, one could political action committee (PAC) funded almost have regulations drawn up to prevent this ongo- change that phrase to “It’s the water, stupid.” exclusively by oilman Harvey Yates. More than ing source of groundwater desecration. Martinez Nothing remains as important to the state’s fu- $140,000 was funneled into the six campaigns quickly squashed the regulations, which were ture as having a good, clean supply of drinking through this PAC. So, instead of making direct written last year after extensive review that in- water. Think about these facts. Since the 1920s donations to campaigns, oil companies, espe- cluded testimony from industry lobbyists, con- more than 90,000 wells have been drilled in our cially Yates Petroleum, have run their contribu- servationists, and citizen’s groups. Those regula- state. Each one generally had a pit associated tions though third-party PACs like New Mexico tions would for the first time have required dairy with it. In my random tours of well sites in the Turnaround or PAC West, as well as Republican CAFOS to apply for waste discharge permits. southeastern and northwestern parts of the state, party committees. These committees, in turn, Those applicants would have been required to I have found older wells spewing oil—large stor- have provided substantial resources to select include information on the depth and flow of age tanks with oil spilling across the desert. In legislative candidates. According to Josh Geise, groundwater under their operation, the amount some arroyos, I saw the remnants of pits or plas- Executive Director of the Democratic party of of waste that would be disposed of, and how wa- tic lining that was blown away by a flash flood. New Mexico, “Oil and gas companies are trying ter quality would be monitored to guard against These pits hold produced water, which is gener- to hide their sizable contributions by funneling contamination. ally ten times saltier than the ocean. They are campaign cash through PACs—presumably be- Then there is the case of the man who went to also filled with drilling mud laden with chemical cause they realize that New Mexicans want their the moon, Harrison Schmitt. Clearly, there has additives. The creation of the Pit Rule under the elected officials to represent their constituents, not been an adequate analysis of the effects of Richardson Administration did not happen over- not those who funded their campaigns.” One of moon dust. In 2009, on radio host Alex Jones’s those targeted was our own Las Cruces staffer show, Harrison Schmitt said that leaders of the What we have now, in the Jeff Steinborn, who was also a state representa- environmental movement are Communists. That’s tive. In his race this past November, New Mexico right—the man Susana Martinez has nominated Turnaround contributed almost $29,000, a large to run the New Mexico Department of Natural words of Joanna Prukop, the sum in a state congressional race, to defeat him Resources thinks environmentalists are Com- and his outstanding conservation record. Jeff lost munists. He went on to say in the same interview former head of the very by only 300 votes. that “I think the whole trend really began with With the election of Susana Martinez, New the fall of the Soviet Union, because the great agency that Harrison Schmitt Mexico begins a new chapter; this tough for- champion of the opponents of liberty, namely mer prosecutor is not one to lose easily. She has Communism, had to find some other place to go, is in line to take over, is a shown an ability to fight and to distort the truth. and they basically went into the environmental She will move quickly while her political capital movement.” Perhaps Mr. Schmitt should return “contamination legacy” and is at its peak, using job creation as a springboard to his bunker. All of this further raises the ques- to crush common-sense environmental regula- tion of the competence of our newly elected one that cannot be changed by tion. Having a weakened Democratic majority governor. Mr. Schmitt, it appears, has other odd will only help her in her efforts to turn New beliefs. He has clearly stated that he does not “old rules, regulations, and Mexico back into a place that many in the oil believe man-made global warming exists. He has and gas industry have referred to as “easy pick- remarked that “there exists no true concern … attitudes.” ings” because of its history of lax regulation. about the true effects of climate Thanks to the generous gifts from change, only a poorly concealed, big oil, we could become the na- ideologically driven attempt to tion’s standard-bearer for ground- use conjured-up threats of cata- water pollution, nuclear waste, strophic consequences as a lever and toxic dairies. This does not to gain authoritarian control of reflect leadership; it is the self- society.” WOW. promotion of someone desiring He has other ideas as well, more political power. Our job is such as his belief that the “media to stop this delusion before the is in the tank for this socialistic impacts to our water, our land, change in our political system.” and our children become the He also “faults the school system, legacy of New Mexico’s clean, which has been dominated by approachable, people’s governor, people who have less respect for Susana Martinez. She will use her liberty than you or I,” as he com- charm, looks, wit, and determi- mented while speaking to Jones. nation not to make us stronger, In addition, he strongly feels that but to carry the water for a select loan guarantees to promote the group of special interests that development of alternative ener- hold her political future in their gy sources are unconstitutional. capra stephen hands. Tell them no.  12 New Mexico Wild! Winter 2011 mapping wilderness Mobile GIS: Revolutionizing Wilderness Inventory By Rachel Freund

pring is just around the to finish campsite inventory on the west corner, and the New side of the Manzanos. Mexico Wilderness Al- liance is gearing up for Project II: Forest Service another exciting field Roadless Area Inventory season. You may already There are 1.6 million acres of Inventoried know that the Wilder- Roadless Areas in New Mexico’s National ness Alliance offers dozens of hikes and Forests, mostly adjacent to Wilderness Svolunteer service projects every year, but areas. Millions more acres are “unroaded” did you know that this season there’s yet but not officially documented—estimates another way you can get outside, get in- bring the total roadless area to roughly volved, and give back to the wild public three million acres. Most of this land lands you cherish? exhibits prime “wilderness character”; It’s our new MOBILE GIS program— that is, it offers outstanding primitive map-making on the ground, in the field, recreation and solitude opportunities in a using hand-held GPS technology! landscape where nature, not human ac- Volunteering for our Mobile GIS tivity, is the dominant influence. It’s our Program is a great way to explore little- task now to document these wilderness- known, rarely accessed areas surround- caliber landscapes, so that we may iden- ing wilderness—or to become more inti- brave volunteers broke the units in last season, tify which areas should next be proposed mate with a wilderness area close to your home. and these intrepid souls helped us resolve the for Wilderness designation—this is our Roadless What’s more, you’ll learn new skills in GPS and idiosyncrasies of the new devices. Area Inventory, and we need your assistance. GIS technology. So join us! Now is a crucial time to conduct as much in- There will be TWO introductions for the 2011 Project I: Forest Service Wilderness ventory as possible in likely areas for additions Mobile GIS Field Season. Our first volunteer Stewardhip Challenge to Forest Service Wilderness: the Obama Admin- training is on Saturday, March 12th. We will In 2010, the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance istration is in the process of releasing new regu- be in the red rock country of Petaca Pinta, and partnered with the US Forest Service on their lations under the National Forest Management there is a day hike available up Mesa Gallina. Ten-Year Wilderness Stewardship Challenge, Act, and national forests will be updating their Our second volunteer training is on Sunday, with funding from the National Forest Founda- Forest Plans within the year. March 13th at the at the New Mexico Wilder- tion. The Wilderness Stewardship Challenge The aims of our inventory are twofold: 1) to re- ness Alliance’s Albuquerque office, located at 142 tasks Forest Service-administered Wilderness Ar- cord wilderness characteristics worthy of perma- Truman Street NE, Suite B-1. After the initial eas across the nation to establish baseline man- nent protection (such as outstanding scenery; sol- orientation, we will head out on a field trip to the agement conditions in a variety of areas (includ- itude; geological, archaeological, or biological fea- Sandia foothills. Interested folks can attend either ing recreation, solitude opportunities, invasive tures) and 2) to document anthropogenic impacts or both sessions. Please RSVP to Rachel Freund plant management, and more), with a deadline (roads, permanent structures, dams, etc.). Focus at 505-843-8696 ext. 110, or [email protected]. of 2014, the fiftieth anniversary of the Wilder- areas will include regions within the Magdalena, ness Act. Wilderness Areas are evaluated yearly Apache Kid, Pecos, and Gila National Forests. We Background on their progress in these areas. will be collaborating with local organizations to Wilderness inventory is a cornerstone of the New New Mexico Wilderness Alliance staff and maximize coverage of these key areas. Mexico Wilderness Alliance’s work. In fact, our volunteers helped with the Wilderness Steward- NMWA’s GPS units, equipped with ESRI’s Arc- statewide BLM Wilderness Inventory completed ship Challenge in 2010 by conducting dispersed Pad software, will facilitate this effort. Surveyors in 2005, laid the groundwork for many wilder- campsite inventories in the Pecos, Latir, and can view and edit maps with multiple layers of ness proposals, facilitated Wilderness designation Manzano Wilderness Areas. UNM Wilderness spatial data, in the field and in real time. For for the Sabinoso and Ojito Wilderness Areas, and Alliance students, the Backcountry Horsemen of example, in a preliminary inventory of Pecos will enjoy new life in light of Interior Secretary New Mexico, and the Mountainair hiking group roadless areas this past season, surveyors tracked Salazar’s recently announced “Wild Lands” direc- were among our core participants. Our high-tech their position relative to wilderness and roadless tive, a reversal of the so-called “no more wilder- GPS units made “Rapid Campsite Assessment” boundaries, while viewing and annotating Forest ness” policy. Until now, however, processes of simple: a “data dictionary” allows surveyors to Service road route data on their handheld GPS field data collection and editing have been time- choose options from drop-down menus for rap- devices—and creating photopoints documenting consuming and prone to error. Geographic data id, consistent assessment; built-in digital cameras wilderness characteristics. These are powerful was carried into the field in the form of paper on the GPS units can take pictures of the camp- tools for wilderness inventory and protection! maps. Field edits were performed using sketches sites that are stored with the geospatial data. and notes on paper maps and entry forms. Back Once the GPS units are returned from the field, In Conclusion: Let’s Hit The Trail in the office, these field edits were deciphered it is a simple matter to upload, differentially cor- No matter where you live in New Mexico, or and manually entered into the GIS database. rect, and share data in maps or as shapefiles us- how tech-savvy you may feel, we guarantee a In 2010, with generous support from ESRI able in most GIS systems. special place for you in our Mobile GIS Program and the Jeniam Foundation, the New Mexico For the 2011 field season, the Wilderness Alli- this field season. If you can’t make the introduc- Wilderness Alliance was able to purchase six ance plans to complete campsite inventories, in- tory meetings, just give us a call, e-mail us, or state-of-the-art Trimble Juno SB GPS units, com- vasive plant surveys, and solitude surveys in the stop by the office. The wilderness is waiting plete with map-making software. A core group of Withington and Sandia Wilderness Areas, and for you!  www.nmwild.org 13 New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is the proud recipient of a Wilderness Stewardship Challenge award from the National Forest Foundation. The National Forest Foundation, chartered by congress, engages America in community- based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million acre National Forest System, and accepts and administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests.

14 New Mexico Wild! Winter 2011 mapping wilderness Wilderness Stewardship Challenge 2010 Field Log Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Mountain By Rachel Freund May 22, 2010 out of the mountainside into a riot of fresh green but found giant meadows and expansive groves Wilderness Stewardship undergrowth, lit up by sunbeams through the gi- of golden, quaking aspen (plus some old camp- Challenge Training ant pines standing guard around. No campsites. sites, including a lean-to made of aspen logs!). As The sun’s first rays tinted the Sandia peaks as we We had better luck when we hit the Crest we traversed a narrow, craggy ridge, the thunder drove to the Santa Fe National Forest administra- Trail, where the ground flattens. Using the GPS and lightning started. Scooted back down Trail tive office for our first training. Friendly Forest was a little frightening at first. We used our cheat Canyon over an undulating forest trail, chewing Service employees Sarah Naegele (Pecos/Las Ve- sheet to help us through the assessment. It felt ponderosas’ sap and stopping to smell their but- gas RD) and Nick Walendziak gave an introduc- good to take useful data, making our already en- terscotch bark. tion to the Wilderness Stewardship Challenge: joyable trip a purposeful one, too. USFS Wilderness Areas across the country have Met the others in a sunny meadow at the November 14, 2010 been challenged to meet baseline management Ox Canyon junction. The trail back down had Joined members of the Mountainair hiking conditions by 2014, the fiftieth anniversary of turned into a river! Found a few more campsites group (not a club) for a short sally up New the Wilderness Act. This entails monitoring and just outside the Wilderness boundary and docu- Canyon Trail. Snow on the ground obscured inventory of human impacts, including dispersed mented them for good measure. What a wet, the trail and made hiking a little chilly for two camping. That’s where we come in! wild day. of my companions, who’d worn their Vibram Sarah and Nick then gave five-fingered shoes! Saw us thorough instructions a bear’s paw print in the on performing the Forest snow. Didn’t find any Service “Rapid Campsite campsites but worked up Assessment,” our primary quite an appetite—thank- task this field season in the ful for the great general Pecos, Latir, and Manzano store at the forest road Wilderness Areas. The as- turnoff in Manzano and for sessment documents and Carrizozo cider. measures dispersed camp- ing impacts—the area af- December 5, 2010 fected in square feet, the Ventured with a Mountain- degree of disturbance to air hiker and another ABQ natural ground cover, dam- volunteer to the Kayser age to trees, and so on. Mill Trail at the southern Next, we journeyed into end of the Manzanos. This the Pecos National Forest area, too, had been hit hard to practice using the GPS by fire. The trail itself suf- for campsite assessment in fered erosion, due to veg- ood the field. Turns out, waiting etation loss from the burn; to get satellites sometimes trail signs were burned past makes assessment less rap- legibility. The trail crossed paula east w paula id! I experienced the aspen a talus slope to a heap of groves of the Pecos for the first time and learned mountain lion scat (sus- to identify narrowleaf cottonwood. What a grand September 11, 2010 pected) and to a beautiful glade at the crest, a classroom! Met volunteers from the UNM Wilderness Al- popular camping spot. The view from Manzano liance, led by UNMWA president John Ka- Peak was worth the extra climb: the entire Rio August 11, 2010 vanaugh—tackled the Crest Trail heading from Grande basin, from Mount Taylor to the Lad- First Hike in the Manzanos Capilla Peak. My group walked south through rones, and across to the salt flats of the Estancia an area that had been burned in 2008’s Trigo Valley. The visitor’s log on the peak informed us We held another training session at NMWA’s Fire. Oaks and locusts were sprouting back with that there were hikers at the spot only a week main office for new volunteers before embark- a vengeance, totally obscuring the trail. Blood- prior—but though we found some campsites to ing. Carpooled to the Red Canyon trailhead on ied & torn, we finally reached an open area—a document, there wasn’t another soul on the trail. the southeast side of the Manzanos. Part of our west-facing slope carpeted with bunchgrass and We did meet some woodcutters on the forest group took Ox Canyon Trail while New Mexico wildflowers. We imagined that some old fire road, though, in a trundling pickup being driven Wild’s Craig Chapman, canine pal Kiddo, and I rings up on the ridge were remnants of cattle- by a boy hardly big enough to peek out the win- headed up the Spruce Springs trail. We’d hit the men’s camps. Our only encounter this trip was dow. Only in New Mexico? Crest trail and walk south, meeting at Red Can- an adorably tiny horned lizard. Starting to really yon Trail before heading back down. like these mountains! January 25, 2011 The east side of the Manzanos was unbeliev- Reflections and Anticipations ably lush and green. Our trail started in thick October 3, 2010 I’ll remember 2010 as the year I fell in love with ponderosa forest—dark and cool at midmorn- Another excursion with UNM Wild volunteers, ing. Climbed up the steep east slope through the Manzanos and took stewardship of our pub- to the famed Fourth of July Canyon. Recent lic land. I look forward to the 2011 field season ferns, wildflowers, and abundant mushrooms of heavy rains added slippery roads to our adven- all shapes and colors. No people. No campsites. and more volunteering for the Wilderness Stew- ture. Hiked up the Bosque Trail, a steep little ardship Challenge. This year’s focus areas will be Three quarters of the way up we reached a spur jaunt threading through autumnal oaks and trail to Spruce Springs, decided to check it for in the Sandia and Withington Wilderness areas— maples to the crest. Turned south, lost the trail, I encourage you to come join us in the field! traces of camping. Spruce Spring was gushing 

www.nmwild.org 15 Love Them or Lose Them By Jim Hickerson—Chairman, Board of Directors

It was only two years ago and acrimonious Congress. Now been. We have to take our lands to Big Bend, , that we celebrated the we are entering a new year with heart, treasure them and all the life just for starters. Right now they change in political climate newly elected Representative they support, or they will soon be need our love, lots of it, and it can’t promising better times ahead Pearce strongly opposing the pro- gone. It makes no difference what come too soon. For a sad reminder for conservation and public land tections we sought. title they hold. Even if they are we only have to look at the north- management. At the Wilderness We have just swallowed a bitter named Refuge, National Park, Wil- ern Nutt Grasslands near Deming, Alliance, in our euphoria we could poison pill, one that could have se- derness, Monument, Wild and Sce- which is about to lose its scenic see possibilities for achieving rious health effects if we don’t ac- nic River, or National Conservation value to a poorly sited industrial many of our goals for converting cept the antidote. The antidote has Area, the future is only as sound wind farm, one that will create the wild public lands in the state to replace a blind faith that gov- as our love for them. It makes no another threat to resident golden to a permanently protected status ernment action will save what we difference whether our wolves or eagles and endangered Aplomado through congressional action. The hold dear while allowing us to go trout carry “endangered” in front falcons. Love them or lose them. Board discussed what we should forward with hope. We have seen, of their names. We have to trea- You are going to see a more active do if that happened and even gave that government can be fickle or sure these special places and spe- Wilderness Alliance in the coming fleeting thought to the notion of unresponsive to the public’s call cies enough to speak out for them, months—watch nmwild.org for a shrinking the organization when for action and, furthermore, that to act on their behalf. If we don’t new website and news about our protected lands reached our theo- it can be a poor steward of what hold them dear, they will be stolen work and activities. Look for more retical maximums. it is supposed to care for. We also from us by legal means through events, more engagement of com- Well, “smaller” ain’t gonna hap- know from past experience that political action or by the ravages of munities, more ways to volunteer, pen. Even with the most favorable every day even our “protected” neglect. Love them or lose them. new ways to communicate and Congress in years, with Senator places suffer from neglect and The New Mexico Wilderness Alli- contribute, and a new Wild Guide Bingaman chairing the Senate vandalism. Every day of the year ance has some very specific places filled with opportunities to find out Energy and Natural Resources incursions are made by destructive in mind. They haven’t changed, about the special places that you Committee and introducing two vehicles into our preserves. Every except for additions that you own, landscapes you can walk, riv- bills that would have created large day a wolf is shot or a raptor killed, will hear about in this newslet- ers you can float, wild encounters tracts of Wilderness and National a coyote or prairie dog poisoned. ter. They have names: the Organ you can have, and friends you can Conservation Areas in New Mexi- Every day, some new insult arises Mountains−Desert Peaks Wilder- make. The Wilderness Alliance is co, nothing came of it. Decades of to the air or the water, or to a ma- ness, El Rio Grande del Norte, Ot- committed to these lands, and we work by many individuals and con- jestic vista. Government can help, ero Mesa, BLM Wilderness Study are your voice and physical pres- servation organizations combined but it can’t guarantee. Areas—over a score of them, ence advocating for their protec- with strong local support counted The antidote and the only real Columbine-Hondo, San Francisco tion. They are, after all, your trea- for naught in this last shameful protection is what it has always Canyon, Hell Hole, Delaware River, sures. Love them or lose them. 

Organ Mountains g roves ke mi ke

Protecting the ‘Thin Places’ continued from page 5 of wilderness involve alertness and awareness of one’s surroundings. The without defilement or defacement. This teaches us how the world works. spiritual demands of wilderness allow one with prayer and intentionality to This should instruct us in how to build and integrate human society so that rise into awareness of how the spiritual and physical interpenetrate. it integrates with the ecosystem of the planet. • Wilderness teaches community and communion; all creatures and all cre- In wilderness we awaken our feelings to the pulses of life, to the ebb ation share a common source in the same Creator. Because we are part of the and flow of cycles, to the rhythms and songs of creation. Here we discern earth and human health requires the processes of the planet to be healthy our Maker reflected. When we are in remembrance of our Creator, we are for our bodies to be healthy, we learn to respect the air, water, land, and sun uplifted, and creation itself then provides inspiration for our minds, heal- as servants of God. This teaches community and connection with the land ing for our spirits, and release from incorrect and false notion. There is a as a horizontal unity. holy relationship found in wild places, one that invites prayer, reflection • Wilderness is an organic spiritual test; in wilderness everything fits to- and wonder, and that gives back in proportion to our capacity to appreci- gether. This establishes both a model and a test for human society. Wilder- ate, enjoy, and find thanksgiving for the Lord’s untrammeled earth. ness shows that submission to God leads to service to creation. If you are interested in learning more about how to love, serve, and In wilderness we discern a system so vast, so diverse, and so far beyond protect the beautiful Land of Enchantment, please contact Whitney Kraner, human construction, that we are humbled by its immensity. All human [email protected] for more information. You can also sign up for technology and invention pale before the grandness and the wisdom of the Restoring Eden’s newsletter or donate online at divine plan embedded before us within the earth. Wilderness, more than www.restoringeden.org. any other place, offers opportunities to see the qualities of our Creator 

16 New Mexico Wild! Winter 2011 southern New mexico community

By Nathan Small A Life Dedicated to Conservation Noel Cooley

cross the course of any conservation campaign, certain individuals stand Aout for their extraordinary efforts to help protect natural wilderness treasures. One such leading Las Cruces conservationist recently passed from this earth. It is fitting that we should remember Noel Cooley for his recent efforts to protect nearby natural treasures and for his life- long contributions to conservation. According to Noel’s obituary, he was born in 1933 in Alton, Kansas. He returned to Kansas nearly every year, sometimes just to pay social visits and oftentimes to walk the familiar paths and to pursue the pheasants of his youth. After joining the army, then earning a degree in mathematics, Noel eventually chose a career in the Defense Mapping Agency, where he worked. He was based at White Sands Missile Range. This posting sent Noel to live in Las Cruces, the home base for a series of conservation efforts and ad- Wilderness ventures that spanned the next three decades. Walks An avid outdoorsman, Noel was frequently (parked a mere fifty minutes from New Mexico’s found fishing, hunting, or exploring the wild 2011 Wilderness Walks in second-largest city, Las Cruces). Suddenly, move- lands of New Mexico. Not content just to enjoy Doña Ana County got off to an ment about eighty yards away caught the eye these outdoor delights, Noel sought to share exciting start with a recent Saturday ad- of one particularly observant walker. Everyone and safeguard the same opportunities for others, venture in the Aden Lava Flow Wilderness Study quickly focused on what turned out to be a large which led him to serve with community groups Area (WSA). On a calm day that quickly warmed javelin boar, moving perpendicular to the party. like the Doña Ana County Associated Sports- from the midthirties, five walkers entered one Aware that javelina most often travel in family men. With DACAS, Noel helped spearhead a of three WSAs that form the Potrillo Mountains groups, the group moved forward in a doubled- move to give yearly scholarships to deserving complex. Boot-breaking black lava, abundant over crouch, straining to stay below the scattered New Mexico State University wildlife students, grass and understory, and frequent fishhook brush that separated us from the meandering coordinated National Hunting and Fishing Day barrel cactuses combined to give a lush tint to a draw into which the boar had disappeared. efforts, oversaw the annual kid’s fishing derby at tough landscape. Soon, movement in other places confirmed that NMSU, and served in various leadership posi- Walkers were a mix of ages, and the pace was there was indeed a family group stretched out tions. A stalwart service project participant, Noel slow and steady. Undulating lava ridges, some in front of us. Moving still closer, the walkers put in sweat equity across southern New Mexico as high as twenty feet, created complex canyons were delighted when a mother and two small at dozens of projects, leaving the land better than that concealed hidden mysteries. The intimacy javelina burst from the near edge of the draw, it was before. of mysterious small spaces in a big land fostered rapidly scooting toward their companions on During wilderness discussions, Noel played a frequent discoveries—here, pellets left by a jack- the far end. Standing stock still, we scanned key role in reaching boundary agreements. Befit- rabbit, and over there, the diggings of javelina. the area to see whether there were any laggards ting a man who worked with the Defense Map- Desert mule deer tracks testified to their presence left. Indeed, there were! One, intent upon dig- ping Agency, Noel brought detailed maps to all in this harsh land. After an hour headed south, ging at the base of a Mormon tea bush (Ephedra discussions. He would trace the outlines of poten- we turned east about fifteen miles north of the nevadensis), was oblivious to our presence. Its tial boundaries and then insist that conversations US-Mexico border. bristly back was all that betrayed the presence of focus on the issues at hand. Nothing made Noel As many readers will recall, wilderness con- a mammal, rather than yet another brushy plant. angrier than people who complained about con- servation opponents made much of supposed Because it was unmoving except for the rooting servation efforts that were based on faulty bound- border security issues. They opposed the Organ snout and sporadically digging forelegs, some in ary understandings. With boundaries understood Mountains−Desert Peaks Wilderness Act, in- our party wondered whether it was a javelina at by all, agreements soon followed. These agree- troduced by New Mexico Senators Jeff Binga- all! Soon enough, it stood up. Surprised to find ments, the first of which is known as the “Sports- man and Tom Udall. The legislation called for two-legged humans where previously four-legged men’s Agreement,” have stood the test of time for a “border security zone,” introduced a five-mile family members had stood, it quickly moved off over five years, and continue to form a key part of buffer between the border and the beginning of to the east, stopping frequently to stare back in locally supported conservation efforts. the Wilderness area (versus a third of a mile with our direction. Conservationists should find inspiration in the current Wilderness Study Area), a “sign cut” The rest of the trip went well, as we stopped the work of Noel Cooley. He was an outdoor road, and numerous other measures. Combined, in an isolated tree glen for a snack and marveled enthusiast who paid forward his passion; with these border security protections prompted US at round lava vents that plunged more than work on the ground in service projects, through Customs and Border Protection to support both thirty feet from the surrounding surface. Back in service on conservation committees, and finally the process and substance of SB 1689. Las Cruces by 1:00 p.m., walkers were eagerly as a key map man for a county-wide wilderness Safe and secure, the walkers turned east to start looking forward to the next trip into the Potrillo protection effort. a small circle that would end back at our vehicles Mountains Wilderness complex.   www.nmwild.org 17 from the legal room

New Mexico’s Lack of Environmental Laws Leaves State Lands in the Hands of Oil and Gas Developers By Judy Calman

shown, specific examples of the differences be- tween the permitting processes on federal and state lands are helpful in demonstrating why a law like this is so important. Oil and gas production serves as a useful ex- ample for several reasons. It is straightforward in the sense that essentially the same activity occurs on both state and federal land, and there is a set process for permitting on both. This makes the differences between these processes—and their impact—easy to see. When a company wants to put an oil well on federal land, it must first secure a lease. Leases are obtained in an open bidding process, with higher prices for leases that will likely produce the most oil. The price of the leases varies based on factors such as location, size, production his- tory, and possible ecological barriers like the presence of endangered species, but they are generally expensive. They range in price from a few thousand dollars to over a million dollars, and they are granted for a period of ten years. They are renewable until the well is no longer producing. Companies need a separate right–of- way permit to build roads through federal land. The company must then fill out a separate, lengthy application for a permit to drill. The cost of the application itself is $6,500. In this applica- tion, the company must outline exactly where he need for a State Environmental Policy it will drill, how it will drill, what it will do to Act in New Mexico was outlined in our minimize environmental impacts, and what it last newsletter. To recap: the federal will do with the area once the lease expires. The government, through its agencies, is re- Bureau of Land Management, the federal agency T quired under the National Environmen- that regulates oil and gas, will then do an envi- tal Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to consider the ronmental assessment, which is mandated by potential environmental impacts of its proposed NEPA, in which it analyzes the potential impacts The obvious result of actions before implementing its plans. This con- of granting the permit. The agency will look at sideration, and the plan the agency ultimately whether there are any listed species, whether this process is that oil decides to execute, is subject to public input and the area is too close to a waterway or riparian review in the form of comments and, if neces- area, whether there are any cultural resources companies prefer to drill sary, litigation. that could be harmed, and many other factors. This system was put in place to guarantee that It then makes a decision about whether to grant on state land rather than the public could participate in government deci- the permit, deny the permit, or grant the per- sions, and to ensure both that agencies had to mit with stipulations. It has great leeway to put federal…since the process be aware of negative outcomes that could occur stipulations in the permit, including requiring as a result of their projects and that alternatives that the drilling occur a certain distance from a is so much easier and the to environmentally damaging projects would be floodplain, and placing restrictions on surface considered. disturbance. cost so much lower, and The drawback to NEPA is that it only applies In contrast, when a company wants a permit to to federal lands or projects. This is because in install an oil well on state land, it must success- because they will be less general the Constitution only narrowly allows fully bid on a lease of the land through the State Congress to regulate the states, and in most cases Land Office and get a permit to drill from the restricted in their means of environmental regulation it can only direct Oil Conservation Division. Leases through the them if the state action will affect a federal inter- State Land Office are obtained through an open of production. est. A NEPA-type review process is not some- bidding process similar to that for federal land. thing the federal government has the power to The cost of state leases is much lower; they are mandate in the states. generally well under $100,000 dollars and only New Mexico does not have an environmental very rarely go above $200,000 dollars. The right impact review process for projects that are exclu- to build roads and pipelines across state land is sively on state land, although the state legislature automatically incorporated into the leases. The could create a state law that would require it. application for the Oil Conservation Division is While the need for a state law like this has been continued on page 23

18 New Mexico Wild! Winter 2011 from the legal room Water The Staff of Life in New Mexico By Eric Jantz

t’s been years since I moved The Oil and Gas Pit Rule Conservation Commission passed constant barrage of attacks against west from the southeastern Prior to 2007, when oil and gas one of the most protective rules it. The first came just nine months IUnited States. I remember companies drilled a well and governing the disposal of oil and after the Pit Rule was passed. In a looking out the train window as the produced oil and gas, they were gas waste in the country after more backroom deal, Governor Richard- landscape of western Kansas, south- allowed to bury their wastes in a than a year of gathering input son and industry representatives eastern Colorado, and northern hole in the ground, known in the about the public health, environ- directed oil and gas regulators to New Mexico unfolded. I was awed industry as a “pit.” Pits are scattered mental, and economic impacts of repeal key standards of the Pit Rule. by the seemingly endless land and across the landscape and contain a the proposed rule from the oil and Ostensibly, the repeal was to allevi- sky, the way the mountains seemed toxic brew of chemicals like ben- gas industry, farmers and ranchers, ate an alleged economic burden to explode out of the plains, the zene, toululene, xylene, arsenic, and environmental groups, and con- on the oil and gas industry. But in thousand shades of red and orange other substances that cause can- cerned citizens. The Commission the ensuing administrative hearing, in the canyons. As the train crossed cers, genetic defects, and hormone also spent weeks hearing technical neither the oil and gas industry nor the border from Colorado to New disruption. Since these wastes were evidence about how oil and gas state regulators produced a single Mexico, it occurred to me that the buried in unlined holes, not sur- wastes have caused widespread piece of evidence that the new rules one thing that I hadn’t seen was prisingly, there have been hundreds groundwater and surface water were having any negative economic water. In the East, it’s impossible to of documented instances of ground- contamination. impact, despite nine months of op- go more than a few miles without water contamination from pits. Since the Commission passed the erating history. The resulting partial seeing some significant body of In 2008, the New Mexico Oil Pit Rule, there has been an almost repeal means that oil and gas opera- water—a lake, a stream, a river. But tors can bury waste with extremely as we descended through the Raton high chloride (salt) concentrations Pass, I realized it’d been hours since almost anywhere. I’d seen any water. Other than a few The newly elected governor has stock ponds, I couldn’t recall seeing made clear that, irrespective of any water at all since Iowa. whether there is any evidence that In the years since I’ve moved the Pit Rule has resulted in any here, I’ve come to appreciate on a economic harm, it is her priority to very fundamental level what water repeal the Pit Rule. This promise means to westerners. It’s not only a was made during her campaign, part of the physical geography, but despite data showing that since the also a basic part of the West’s soul. Pit Rule was passed, there has not It’s the one element that defines been a single incident of ground- how—and even whether—we live. water contamination from oil and Clean water is scarcer than ever gas drilling wastes. Although the before. Economic and settlement governor has recently attempted to policies over the last century have repeal newly passed regulations by encouraged water consumption as fiat, if she wants to repeal the Pit if it were an infinite resource. It’s Rule, she’ll either have to get the not. Global climate change is caus- legislature to enact legislation or go ing water resources to diminish. through another rulemaking pro- Contamination threats from min- cess. Either way, the public has the ing, oil and gas development, and right to be involved and influence other industrial projects loom large. the processes. Although as a society we’ve gained an enormous amount of informa- Uranium Mining tion suggesting that our policies Historic uranium mining and mill- of the past are jeopardizing future ing in New Mexico has left thou- generations’ clean water supplies, sands of square miles and tens of we haven’t gained the wisdom to millions of gallons of groundwater act accordingly. This is particu- and surface water contaminated larly true with the new political with radioactive waste and heavy landscape in New Mexico, where metals. Even though communities powerful industrial interests and impacted by uranium have for years their supporters have staked out expressed concern over the contam- a position that favors short-term ination from past uranium mining economic gains for corporate in- and milling, there has been shock- terests over the long-term future of ingly little research done on the our water resources. The following extent of the contamination and its are some of the potential threats to effects on human health and natural New Mexico’s water over the next resources. Both government and

few years. capra stephen continued on page 22

www.nmwild.org 19 ity of an unfriendly presi- dent at some time in the The Answer future, even areas we think are protected in perpetuity could be threatened. And we have to come up with May Not a better plan than falling back on NIMBY (not in my backyard). So what are the pros and cons of energy pro- Be Blowing duced by wind?

PROS Altamont Pass wind farm • Wind is free! Well, the wind in the Wind is free, but the construction of a site is not. A ing bird deaths and wind turbines, the incidence large, concrete platform makes up the base, and of birds striking buildings and communication By Steve West there is a tremendous amount of metal in a wind towers in migration is clear. According to the US tower. There is pollution associated with all of Fish and Wildlife Service, around 1.25 million that, including mining, processing, and trans- birds were killed annually at communication porting the ore; clearing the site; and putting in towers in the late 1970s. With the proliferation access roads and power lines. So, while the wind of communication towers in the years since, re- is “free,” there are many associated costs. searchers have estimated that between 4 and 50 s each day passes, the necessity of find- • The land at the base can be used for other purpos- million birds die annually. Any of us who have ing alternatives to an oil/coal/gas−based es. This is true if the turbines are placed in land cell phones (I do) bear part of the responsibil- Aenergy policy becomes more critical. And that has already been developed, such as farm- ity for finding a way to fix this problem. Recent as each day passes, as each year passes, we have land. But if they are placed across the landscape studies of wind farms show that they are proba- less flexibility in what we choose. One of many of a former roadless area, it’s another story. bly responsible for the deaths of around 100,000 alternatives in the mosaic of energy we will need birds per year in the United States alone. for the future is wind power. At one time wind CONS While the role of wind turbines in bird deaths power seemed to be a major part of the answer, • Wind is not always reliable. High-wind areas can may be relatively minor compared with that but as time goes on, and reality sets in, we have be still at times, and at other times the wind can of other structures that kill birds, it is another to recognize that wind alone—or even wind as a blow too strongly, in which case it loses some of story with bats. Early concerns were about bird major component—is not the answer. its value. Wind power is not a twenty-four-hour, deaths, but in recent years it has been shown At the beginning of 2010 there were over completely reliable source of energy. that wind turbines are a major factor in bat 30,000 wind turbines operating in the United • Wind turbines are noisy. This might be fine if deaths. Bats have been found dead beneath States alone. Some of the earlier ones put up in you don’t live near one, but even having one virtually every wind turbine that has been ex- the 1980s have been a source of many problems, near the border of a wilderness area would go far amined. Most of the bats who have been found but most of them have been built since 2000, in changing your wilderness experience. dead are “tree bats”—bats who roost mainly in and the original designs have been modified. • Wind towers have been blamed for wildlife casual- trees, not caves. Necropsies of bats have shown Noise and impacts on wildlife have become re- ties from sea to shining sea and even at sea. While that overwhelming majorities have suffered from cent concerns, however, as turbines have gotten wind-energy proponents minimize the effects of internal hemorrhaging—apparently the result taller and larger. Since 2005 some of the newer wind turbines on birds and bats, few long-term of a low-pressure pocket caused by the rotat- turbines have reached over 400 feet (122 meters) studies have been done, and the industry has ing blades. Some bats have also obviously been in height. The three blades at the top of the tow- not always been welcoming to researchers who hit by the blades, perhaps after they entered the er have a diameter of over 250 feet (76 meters), want to find the answer to this question. As one low-pressure pocket. and there are plans to construct units that would example, we do know that at Altamont Pass in We do know that the oil and gas industry extend these blades an additional 25 percent. California many birds of prey are killed annually. has some severe impacts on wildlife and open And who knows how wide and how tall they will The Altamont Pass wind farm has been around spaces. We need to get a handle on wind energy eventually be? since 1981 and annually produces 1.1 bil- (and communication towers) before they begin And what of the environmental impacts? As lion kilowatt-hours (enough to power 200,000 to wield the power that protects oil and gas wilderness proponents and open-space advo- households). Over a thousand birds die annually excesses. cates, we have to recognize that many of the ar- here, including many turkey vultures. This does  eas we want to protect, or areas we want added not take into account bird carcasses removed by to the wilderness system, would also be prime scavengers before the deaths can be noted. An areas for wind power development. Some areas additional concern is that the presence of these that would be prime sites for wind turbines are carcasses attracts large scavenging birds like tur- located in national parks and wilderness areas. key vultures and California condors. With an unfriendly Congress and the possibil- While there is not yet a clear picture regard-

20 New Mexico Wild! Winter 2011 It is highly unlikely that any degree of organizing will sway Pearce on any of these issues. But perhaps we can begin to educate him, however reluctant he will be to listen.

He’s Back!! By Steve West

Politics in New Mexico tors. The list of top one hundred and gas businessman from Hobbs, in support of the Organ Mountains, is never easy to understand, and contributors reads like a who’s-who had won Pearce’s former seat in the but probably not in the form of the goings-on in the 2nd Congres- of the oil and gas industry. 2nd Congressional District. Wilderness designation. And any sional District are no exception. Pearce was antiwilderness, Over the next two years, Teague initiatives on his part to protect the Stevan Pearce of Hobbs, who cur- antiwolf, and not the best friend worked hard in a district that had Organs will come at the expense of rently holds the seat, was born in of the parks. As a matter of fact, not elected a Democrat since the any protection for the Potrillos, the Lamesa, Texas, a fact that is ignored he pursued efforts to “de-certify” 1970s. In his first year in office, Robledos, and any other element in the biography currently available Abalates Flint Quarry in the pan- Teague was in district fifty out of in the Doña Ana package. He is ra- on his Congressional website. It’s handle of Texas. Without under- fifty-two weekends. People all over bidly antiwolf, so Mexican wolves not clear why this fact is omitted, standing the importance of the site, the district remarked that they had will have another vocal antagonist but it may be part of a campaign to he was looking only at visitation, never seen that kind of represen- in Congress. He will be just as pro- establish himself in the minds of which was low compared to other tation, either from Pearce or his oil and gas as he is antiwilderness. the voters as 100 percent New Mex- areas. Many thought this was a predecessor, . Some So, at the very least, it is going to ican. After his military service, he prelude to getting rid of other Republicans even commented that, be a long, long two years. established himself in Lea County, national park sites. Congressman although they didn’t agree with Our options are few. It is highly starting an oil service company, Pearce is a fiscal conservative Teague on everything, they valued unlikely that any degree of orga- Lea Fishing Tools. when it comes to national parks his attention to the concerns of the nizing will sway Pearce on any of Stevan Pearce served three terms but not on issues that impact the district and that he would be the these issues. But perhaps … per- in the US Congress, from 2003- oil and gas industry. first Democrat for Congress they haps we can begin to educate him, 09, as a conservative Republican. With the retirement of Republi- planned on voting for. however reluctant he will be to lis- He was often in league with Con- can Senator Pete Domenici, both The fall campaign was brutal. ten. Americans love national parks, gressman Richard Pombo, who Pearce and Congresswoman Even though Teague was endorsed and he certainly doesn’t have a his- lost his seat in the 2008 election. vied for the seat, by the VFW and NRA PACs and had tory of supporting national parks. Pombo was elected to Congress with Pearce winning the Republi- been effective in dealing with voter But maybe by organizing along and stayed there for years on can nomination. The primary con- concerns, the mood of the elector- the lines of Americans loving parks antienvironmental rhetoric and test was hard fought, with Wilson ate was anti-Washington. Steve and public lands, we can at least by portraying the government as winning in urban areas and Pearce Pearce has now reclaimed his old get him to temper the stances he overstepping. Like Pombo, Pearce prevailing in more rural precincts. House seat, garnering about 55 adopted in his previous six years in is strongly supported by the oil and Out of almost 113,000 votes cast, percent of the vote. He’s back! Congress. gas industry. According to Open Pearce won with 51.3 percent. In So what can we expect from He’s back, and we have to deal Secrets.org, the oil and gas indus- the fall election, Tom Udall beat Pearce in the current Congress, with him. That means more work try supported him financially more Pearce handily with about 61 per- where his party now holds the for us in organizing communities than any other group; Yates Petro- cent of the vote. Pearce, it seemed, majority? Well, he certainly won’t and less time on the land we love. leum, Marbob Energy, and Devon might be disappearing from the be in favor of any protections for But it’s the only choice we have, Energy were the top three contribu- political scene. , an oil Otero Mesa. He may well come out and it’s the right thing to do.  www.nmwild.org 21 Water: The Staff of LIfe in New Mexico

continued from page 19 injected into a uranium-bearing aquifer, mobiliz- communities’ sole drinking water aquifer. Cibola the mining industry have been very reluctant to ing the uranium and other toxic heavy metals, County has hired a lobbyist to promote uranium explore the extent and effects of contamination. thereby making the uranium easier to extract mining projects—including the proposed Roca What research has been done is largely the through a series of wells. The chemical reac- Honda underground mine on the northwestern result of community efforts. For example, inves- tion that mobilizes the uranium also changes flanks of Mt. Taylor—to state and federal legisla- tigation by community members near the village the geochemical properties of the aquifer, al- tors. Governor Martinez’s nominee for Secretary of Milan, New Mexico, revealed that the defunct lowing contamination to spread over significant of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Homestake uranium mill, which is now a Su- areas. As a result, what were isolated pockets of Department—the agency responsible for regulat- perfund site, is responsible for contaminating poor-quality water in an otherwise good-quality ing uranium mining—is on record as saying that five aquifers with a contamination plume that aquifer are purposely expanded to contaminate “regulatory bottlenecks” standing in the way of affects approximately nine square miles in and large portions of the aquifer so that uranium can nuclear power development should be removed near their neighborhoods. Recent health studies, be extracted and sold. After all the economically and that restricting economic development on also the result of community efforts, have dem- available uranium has been extracted, the mining public lands in the West violates the US Consti- onstrated that living in proximity of abandoned company is supposed to restore groundwater to tution’s equal protection clause. Meanwhile, fed- uranium mines is associated with a wide array of its premining quality. eral regulators complain that they can’t prevent negative health effects including kidney disease, Because ISL operations don’t involve much uranium mining on public lands because their lung and breast cancers, and birth defects. This surface disturbance compared with conventional hands are tied by the 1872 Mining Act. community-based research can help inform underground and open-pit uranium mines, the As with any struggle, efforts to protect New decisions about how to clean up pollution from mining industry touts the technology as “en- Mexico’s water will require public engagement. historic uranium mining and milling. vironmentally benign.” In the history of ISL Small groups of community members and a few Despite being saddled with decades’ worth of uranium mining, however, not a single operation nonprofit organizations have held the line so far. toxic contamination, uranium-impacted commu- has been able to restore groundwater to premin- In the face of significant renewed threats to our nities in New Mexico continue to struggle against ing quality. While ISL may be cheaper for ura- water, a much larger public effort is required. plans for new uranium mining. One particularly nium mining companies, it results in widespread Only then can we be assured that the next folks insidious new threat is called in situ leach or ISL groundwater contamination for communities. rolling into New Mexico on the train will see uranium mining. ISL mining is popular with ura- Despite the dismal environmental and public uncontaminated rivers and streams and healthy nium mining companies because of its low cost health record of ISL (and conventional mining), communities. and because its contamination is not obvious. state and local governments in New Mexico  The ISL process extracts uranium from ore continue to promote uranium mining as an eco- Eric Jantz is a staff attorney at the New Mexico deposits located in aquifers. In its natural state, nomic development strategy. County and local Environmental Law Center, a nonprofit environmen- uranium in aquifers is immobile. Groundwa- governments in McKinley County continue to tal law firm specializing in representing low-income ter that is as close as several feet to a uranium support a proposed ISL mine in the Navajo com- communities and communities of color in environ- deposit may be drinkable. In ISL mining, how- munities of Crownpoint and Church Rock that mental disputes. The NMELC’s website is www. ever, chemicals that react with the uranium are will contaminate enormous portions of those nmelc.org.

Mexico Wilderness Alliance today! 2010, which includes an extension please contact Roxanne at 505-843- Join the All donations received before June of the IRA Charitable Rollover. 8696 ext. 103. Challenge– 1, 2011 will be counted toward the The extension allows individu- Earth Friends Challenge. als 70½ and older to donate up Memorial Gifts There are many ways to support to $100,000 from your traditional To arrange a tribute in honor of our work. Beyond direct donations or Roth IRA to qualified charities, someone special or remember a and annual membership dues the such as the New Mexico Wilder- lost loved one with a memorial following are also ways to give: ness Alliance, without incurring gift, please contact us and we will income tax on the withdrawal. This be happy to assist you. We will onser- Bequests special opportunity lasts through send an acknowledgment of your vation Include New Mexico Wilderness December 2011 and is retroactive gift to the recipient or family mem- Cand the Alliance in your will and create a to January 1, 2010. bers, if you so desire. environment receive just 2% of wilderness legacy for future gen- To support the New Mexico Wil- charitable giving in America. Put erations. You can make a bequest derness Alliance by making a gift Monthly Giving Program simply, conservation is not as well to New Mexico Wilderness Alli- using the IRA Charitable Rollover Join the Friends of Wilderness supported as it must be to ensure ance as a percentage of your total Provision, please call your IRA Monthly Giving Club. Becoming our future quality of life. estate, as a specific dollar amount, plan administrator to arrange for a a monthly donor is easy, efficient, Preservation of our public lands or as a remainder of your estate direct transfer to New Mexico Wil- flexible and rewarding. Please con- to maintain the health of our for- after all other bequests have been derness Alliance and call Roxanne, tact Trisha London for help setting ests, land, wildlife and water costs made. We urge you to consult with our Finance Manager, at 505-843- up your monthly giving account at a fraction of what we will sacrifice your attorney or tax advisor when 8696 ext. 103. 505-843-8696 ext. 0 or set up recur- if we neglect our responsibilities. making an estate provision and ring gifts online at www.nmwild. Conservation has one of the high- we invite you to also share your Donation of Securities org/membership. est returns on investment of chari- estate plans with us so that we can Support New Mexico Wilderness  table work. It preserves our ability recognize your intentions. You may Alliance’s work and save on capi- to sustain our population while contact our Development Director, tal-gains taxes by making a gift of protecting the majesty of our natu- Tisha Broska at 505-843-8696 ext. securities. Stock gifts can be trans- ral world. 102 for more information. ferred directly to our broker. Please Earth Friends Conservation Fund contact us if you’d like to make has generously provided a chal- Tax- Free Giving from a donation of stock and we will lenge grant to New Mexico Wil- your IRA provide you with our account in- derness Alliance to leverage your On December 17, 2010, President formation. Upon completion of the investment in conservation. Please Obama signed the Tax Relief, Un- transfer, a receipt and acknowledg- help to shift the balance in favor employment Insurance Reautho- ment will be sent. For questions of conservation by giving to New rization and Job Creation Act of concerning the transfer of stock,

22 New Mexico Wild! Winter 2011 lack of state laws continued from page 18 one page long and only requires the company to say where they will drill and how deep the well will be. There is no fee either to apply for or to receive the permit. Because of the absence of state laws, neither the Oil Conservation Division nor the State Land Office looks at any potential environmental impacts of the drilling, and nei- ther can put stipulations on the company. The obvious result of this process is that oil companies prefer to drill on state land rather than federal (assuming they would get the same oil production), since the process is so much easier and the cost so much lower, and because they will be less restricted in their means of pro- duction. The effects of this are easily seen. The er average well pad on state land is approximately m co two acres by two acres, while the average well w pad on federal land is about a quarter of that size. On state land, well pads are extremely close together, with roads and pipelines crisscrossing nathan ne vast areas. This creates severe habitat fragmenta- tion, with little to no wildlife corridors. Sadly, ecological boundaries and the artificial lines Our Forests­—Our Future separating federal and state land rarely line up; ecosystems suffer as a whole when they occur By Nathan Newcomer partially on unprotected state land and partially on more protected federal land. I remember the thrill of being a Roosevelt could not have anticipated. Our The federal process is not without its draw- young child running through the forests, wildlife, and watersheds, which re- backs, and it is certainly not a perfect system. arroyos of Philmont Scout Ranch. quire comprehensive restoration to remedy NEPA’s language, along with the discretion given This secluded stretch of land adjacent to the effects of mismanagement, also face new to the Bureau of Land Management, creates a the Valle Vidal, in northern New Mexico, is challenges associated with climate change scenario where oil production has often been where I cut my teeth in understanding the and encroaching development. given an advantage over environmental concerns idea of conservation. It is also where I ulti- The new National Forest Management on federal land. Negative environmental impacts mately shaped my adult view on the impera- Act regulations must effectively protect and indisputably occur as a result of drilling on fed- tive of preserving wilderness. restore our national forests as we face the eral land, but New Mexico law leaves much of Our great national forests are where challenges of the twenty-first century. They state land management to the discretion of de- dreams begin when we’re children. The tall must serve to anchor Forest Service man- velopers. ponderosa pine; alligator juniper, and stands agement by giving the agency clear, nondis- This situation, as well as countless others, of quacking aspen in the late summer, are cretionary direction, as has been the case many of which have impacts on public health, where we learn to not only respect nature, with the current regulations, which were could be rectified by a state law requiring some but also to listen to it—intently. developed in 1982. At the same time, the sort of environmental analysis before a state proj- The beauty of walking in a forest, listening, new regulations must use sound and current ect is authorized. Approximately one third of US and then stopping… science to safeguard healthy fish and wildlife states have enacted laws like this, and some of Stopping to listen can be one of the most populations and their habitats, and secure them, like Montana, are similar to New Mexico humbling experiences any of us can en- safe, clean water by creating management in size, population, income level, political dure. Even more so, if you cast a line into standards to protect and restore streams, makeup, and even oil production. While com- a stream and understand what it is to think rivers, and watersheds. panies often state that the cost of such analyses like a river; to judge the flowing current and The development of these comprehensive is too high, research over the past forty years has rocks around the bend; to watch the water national forest management rules is one of shown that looking at the potential impacts of a move and bob along, and to feel the strike the most important environmental actions project before beginning it actually saves com- of a trout, snagging your fly—then you know that the administration will take. The course panies money by defraying unforeseen cleanup instinctively why, all things wild need advo- set by these critical rules will determine the costs as well as litigation costs. The states that cates on their behalf. future of our forests, wildlife, and water- have these laws have not reported tremendous Sweeping new national forest manage- sheds for generations to come. problems either economically or administratively. ment rules are set to be released by the Moreover, once the new regulations are A coalition of New Mexican environmental Obama administration in early 2011, provid- enacted, all the forest service ranger districts groups, state legislators, local government of- ing a unique opportunity to continue the in New Mexico will begin updating their for- ficials, and environmental justice advocates has conservation legacy established by President est management plans. There will be ample begun discussing the need for this statutory Theodore Roosevelt, who had the foresight opportunity for the public to comment on change. The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance to protect these treasured lands more than a the new regulations, as well as the individual has proudly joined this coalition. While recent century ago. Because of Roosevelt’s vision, Resource Management Plans, once they are developments in state government militate America enjoys 193 million acres of national made public. For now, though, we need to against any quick transformation, there is time forests and grasslands, including 1.6 million assemble teams of volunteers to conduct to lay a good foundation among elected officials, acres in New Mexico. These are public lands fieldwork in our national forests, to ensure county commissions, city governments, com- that provide vital protection for fish and that we have the most up-to-date information munity groups, and even industry in support of wildlife and clean drinking water for millions on wilderness characteristics in these forests. this measure. We encourage our readers to begin nationwide. Learn more about the exciting opportuni- these conversations and to help build a wave of Today, our national forests and the wildlife ties we have available to the public to help support among New Mexicans. We will continue and water resources they support, including protect New Mexico’s national forests by to update you on our efforts and on ways you those in New Mexico, face unprecedented reading the special mobile GIS section in this can help! threats that even a visionary leader such as newsletter.   www.nmwild.org 23 Let the New Mexico wilderNess AlliANce New Mexico Wilderness wild Alliance show you Guide why we believe that 2 0 11 the motto “Land of Enchantment” is an understatement.

• Guided hikes to remote places • Volunteer service projects into areas that few ever see • Articles from diverse and sometimes unexpected sources, such as a ranch-

er’s perspective on the $9.95 doNAtioN beNefits importance of wolves to NM wilderNess AlliANce land preservation • Winners of an international wilderness Haiku contest • Contributions from local artists expressing their love of the land • Definitions of environmental acronyms and understanding the complexities of environmental protection

To order your copy of Wild Guide 2011, contact Craig Chapman, [email protected]. Or, order online at www.nmwild.org by clicking the cover icon on our homepage. You can order on Amazon.com or buy a copy at REI, and other local bookstores listed on our website.

Albuquerque Community Foundation New Mexico Wilderness Alliance nonprofit org. P.O. Box 25464 U.S. Postage New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is the proud recipient of a Albuquerque, NM 87125 PAID grant from the Albuquerque Community Foundation to sup- albuquerque, nm Do you need to renew? Check your membership permit no. 426 port our Let’s Get Wild! Program. This program is designed expiration date located above your name and address. to educate people of all ages about New Mexico’s wild pub- lic lands, diverse wildlife, and potential wilderness areas and how these treasures are directly connected to our clean air, drinking water, and quality of life. The Let’s Get Wild! Program includes guid- ed hikes and volunteer service projects, as well as our annual Wild Guide.