Chaco Canyon preservation of magic

DOWN RIVER A BIT: BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

VOLUME XII, NUMBER I— SPRING 2010

New Mexico WILD! Page 1 stephen capra new mexico executive director

sanity Main Office WILD! 505/843-8696 • fax 505/843-8697 Over the past several months I have spent a lot of [email protected] • www.nmwild.org SPRING 2010 time thinking about our role in conservation, thinking P.O. Box 25464, Albuquerque, NM 87125 about the many writers that have helped to influence Las Cruces Field Office 275 N. Downtown Mall my thinking. Often when I read the writings of Murie, Las Cruces, NM 88001 Graves, or Leopold, I am, in some sense, placed in the 575/527-9962 The Newsletter of the Santa Fe Field Office museum of time. It’s as though time stops, and I read 341 E Alameda St of rivers great, of landscapes broad, and of the curtain Santa Fe, NM 87501 505/216-9719 New Mexico closing on wildness. Within these pages is the greatness that not enough have read and fewer have experienced. Mission Statement The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is Wilderness Alliance When I was younger, these books were what guided dedicated to the protection, restoration, my spirit, and they were the force that took me into the and continued enjoyment of New Mexico’s wildlands and Wilderness areas. blank spots of the map and helped me meet the grizzly, the wolf, and the salmon. They guided me to rivers wild NMWA Staff Albuquerque Office and arroyos in the heart of our mesa-drenched lands, Stephen Capra, Executive Director which use light as the anchor to our enchantment. Nathan Newcomer, Associate Director Tisha Broska, Development Director Roxanne Pacheco, Finance Manager But perhaps most important, these books guided Trisha London, Membership & Grassroots Assistant my personal journey; they provided, perhaps with Craig Chapman, Special Events Coordinator by Stephen Capra the past three years the New Mexico Miranda Gray: GIS Coordinator a sprinkle of my grandmother’s Catholic influence, height. The Anasazi tradition adapted Roger Turner: Member and Volunteer Coordinator my personal sense of morality. One person’s sense of to its surroundings through the use of Wilderness Alliance has been asking George Duffy, Volunteer Superstar Some landscapes just speak to you ditch irrigation and floodwater farming. our congressional delegation to move Carlsbad Office morality is not another’s. For some, morality is based Steve West, Staff Scientist when you are in their presence. One forward with a wilderness proposal in how they care for their families, how they choose to Maize and bean squash, along with Las Cruces Office live their lives, what they put in the collection basket nating industry. Yes, we have a cash shortfall this year, such place is Chaco Canyon. Take the local wild plants became their staple, that has been in place since (find year) Jeff Steinborn, Southern Director Nathan Small, Wilderness Protection Coordinator on Sunday. What is ironic and wearisome for someone but should the wild places in our state once again be time to drive the long, dusty dirt road, but it was their amazing building to ensure that Chaco Canyon is allowed past a few Navajo Hogan’s that leads to to retain its magical feeling, which Santa Fe Office like me is the ever-growing disconnect between nature punished for our state’s shortfall? Or, for that matter, the skills, which are their defining legacy David Ehrman, Outreach Coordinator and people living in our modern world. In the past year shortfalls in so many other states? this place of rock, grass and sky. Feel in what we today call Chaco Canyon. comes with the solitude and the brown Northern New Mexico John Olivas, Northern Director it has become somewhat fashionable to put a sticker New Mexico has a history of human presence, far more the hot sun of the summer or the cool beauty of the land and structures on your car that says, “Drill, Baby, Drill.” When global than many other Western states. That presence has winds of winter. It’s a place of space, a Chaco today is an island of sanity that define Chaco. Wilderness in our Board of Directors taken some very positive forms, but the ways in which place where the hands of man created engulfed by the stupidity of relentless National Parks is nothing new, but Jim Hickerson, Cedar Crest, NM (Chair) climate change has been reduced by Fox News to jokes, Bob Tafanelli, Las Cruces, NM (Vice-Chair) and senators mock the very thought of something so we have presented ourselves to the nation and cared for a community in harmony with the oil and gas development. In the past compared to other agencies, the park Nancy Morton, Albuquerque, NM (Secretary) service has clearly lagged behind. Tom Mouck, Albuquerque, NM (Co-Treasurer) real or boast that the heavy snows in the east clearly the land we call home have sometimes been unfortunate. lands spread out around them; a place year the Bureau of Land Management Nancy Murray, Albuquerque, NM (Co-Treasurer) We clear-cut the Zuni Mountains to make railroad ties. where the night sky is vibrant and alive. has placed parcels of federal land just Rick C. Aster, Socorro, NM disprove the theory, one can appreciate the growing Ken Cole, Albuquerque, NM gap between nature and people. There is an increasing We took sacred Mt. Taylor and dug away at its roots to Sadly, it’s also a place that continues north of the Park on the auction block. Last year most of Rocky Mountain Esther Garcia, Questa, NM National Park was designated Christianne Hinks, Albuquerque, NM sense that nature is only to be harnessed; that it can garner uranium, sentencing many miners to be engulfed by the shortsight- The agencies plan, to paint the rigs Tripp Killin, Albuquerque, NM to death and poisoning the water of edness of oil and gas development. and use netting to help the area blend wilderness and the park service has Todd Schulke, Silver City, NM be “cured” by technology or is disposable. Groups Brooke Williams, Moab, UT like the National Chamber of Commerce spend many areas across the Navajo into its surroundings. Never mind the a number of proposals across the reservation. We jumped at Chaco Canyon is found in the heart of fact that more seismic testing would country moving forward, including our Advisory Council millions making average Americans believe Phil Carter, Albuquerque, NM these things. Meanwhile, the ice melts, the polar the chance to build the Four what is called the San Juan Basin. Once likely occur, more toxic chemicals proposal for Big Bend and Guadalupe Dave Foreman, Albuquerque, NM known as the land of the Anasazi, the National Parks. Wilderness in parks is Bob Howard, Santa Fe, NM bears continue to drown, and, for many people, Corners power plants, from drilling rigs would spill into Rick Wiedenmann, Carlsbad, NM making that part of the culture came during the transition the soil and pollute the air because of often confusing to many people who Randy Gray, Missoula, MT cheap gas is the reality they need to maintain or Jim Baca, Albuquerque, NM state a national sacrifice from the technological period starting the intensive level of drilling already think a park is the strongest protection hold on to the quality of life they understand or are Newsletter Staff encouraged by endless advertising and the media zone, of strip mines, about 3000 BP. At this time a cultural in the region. Chaco does not enjoy that an area could receive. That is generally true, but park’s also come Nathan Newcomer, Managing Editor to think they need. Never mind the fouled air, and the tradition arose from the archaic Pueblo Class 1 air quality; rather it has been Joe Adair, Design Editor Hilary Handelsman, Copy Editor growing fury other countries feel at our endless squan- traditions of the Southwest. This reduced to Class 2. We were able to with a certain historical liability. seeming arrogance. dering of water. Or, culture became known as the Anasazi stop the latest series of rigs, but we National Parks for many years were consider the level of Culture, and it included a vast number believe that the BLM will put these managed to bring in the people. What is Wilderness? This reflects my sense of what is oil and gas development of differing phases throughout its parcels back on the table this year. For Meaning there was no shortage of road The Wilderness Act of 1964 happening today in New Mexico. The oil in the northwestern part of the construction, facilities built, restau- rants, lodging. In the modern world add established the National For thousands of years, this has been the best way to reach the and gas industry has plastered the airwaves state or the southeastern part. Take Wilderness Preservation System cliffs above Chaco Canyon: we recommend you make the hike up! with their sound bites about jobs, domestic a drive through these areas or cell phone towers, power lines and you to preserve the last remaining development, and keeping prices low for speak with many of the ranchers begin to see that the “Park experience” wildlands in America. The Wilderness Act, as federal policy, hardworking families. The Albuquerque who struggle to make it, and can be degraded. Designated park lands contents they will tell you the reality of as wilderness can help remedy the secures “an enduring resource Journal has been only too happy to run edito- of wilderness” for the people. situation, but making sure in particular Get Out There 04 rials repeatedly bemoaning the so-called “pit runaway energy development— Wilderness is defined as an area Dona Ana County Update 05 rule” that Governor Richardson wisely put in oil spills, the stench of sulfur, the those new roads are not constructed. that has primarily been affected Otero Mesa Update 06 place to ensure that our groundwater is protected. fences cut, the stock run over, the trash, In the case of Chaco Canyon, it would by the forces of nature with the El Rio Grande del Norte Update 07 the new roads constructed, the water destroyed. All of mean a large portion of the park, more imprint of humans substantially But for Harvey E. Yates (the man who would have unnoticeable. It is an area that Pitaca Pinta 08 than 20,000 acres would be managed drilled Otero Mesa), the head of the New Mexico Repub- this has torn the heart out of the wildness of much of offers outstanding opportunity Equal Protection 10 lican party, it’s never enough. According to him, that our state. And it came at the cost of the grizzly, the wolf, as wilderness, allowing the Park to for solitude or a primitive or Wild Water Art 11 common sense pit rule must be overturned. It seems to the prairie chicken, and the giant prairie dog towns that maintain its sense of wildness and unconfined type of recreation, and CHACO 12 an area that contains ecological, be the price of admission for anyone seriously running once stretched across vast parts of the state. The human hopefully making oil and gas drilling DC Connection 15 geological, or other features of to replace Richardson, though, from our perspective, cost was the desensitizing of our spirit. But it made on its periphery more difficult. A River Runs Through It 15 scientific, educational, scenic, or that pit rule not only should remain, but more regulation historical value. Still Building Community 17 continued on page 15 continued on page 14 should be put in place for this filthy, endlessly contami- Valle Vidal Revisited 18 Please visit us at UNM Wild 19 A Letter to My Friends in Wilderness 20 Page 2 SPRING 2010 New Mexico WILD! nmWILD.orgPage 3 expedition to look for wolves in remote purchased for only $9.95 by calling sections of the Gila National Forest. 505-843-8696. You can also buy a copy at REI in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe; In the northern part of the state we are at any La Mantanita Co-op; at Carlsbad cleaning acequias (historic waterways Caverns Bookstore, Bowlin’s Mesilla that have been used for generations for Book Center in Las Cruces, Tome on the irrigation) (Mama’s cabrito, that evening, Range in Las Vegas; and Moby Dickens DOÑA ANA COUNTY delicioso!). We will go to Wild Rivers in Taos. Something new this year: the UPDATE Recreation Area, outside of Questa, three times—once to do trail work on a section that will link the budding and important community of Questa Field Hearing Oral Testimony to our new National Conservation Area; then to do some fly fishing (with 500 Wilderness Supporters Show Up to Hearing ones that will be closed are, in general, boundary will be cause for investigation, lessons from a master); and, to cap it currently open only to those possessing and that investigation will be allowed to off, we will host a three-day land-art off-road-vehicle type capabilities. Once take place, as I understand it, within the event called NEORIO, which is a very My name is James (Jim) Bradley Bates. all sportsmen or sportsmen's groups again, though, the number and length of provisions of the wilderness legislation. special art event held in coordination I am a Las Cruces resident and have concerned with this issue. They do not. the roads that will closed as a result of the with Professor Emeritus John Wenger lived here since 1965. I graduated from Based on my personal assessment, I do passage of this legislation is insignificant. The argument has been made that certain So much to do, so little time. What state lines: the New Mexico Wilderness of UNM and some very special Las Cruces High School in 1969 and believe that they represent the position of Concern has been expressed about the works for the public good and safety will fun it has been working on the Wild Alliance has projects in Texas (Big Bend) artists. All summer we will be doing received a degree in Wildlife Science from a strong majority of those sportsmen to be ability of law enforcement officials to be inhibited by wilderness designation Guide for 2010. And that’s appropriate, and Arizona (a wolf-friendly ranch; yes, wilderness stewardship monitoring New Mexico State University in 1973. I affected by the outcome of this process. effectively carry out their duties as a for these areas. Specifically, flood control since the guided hikes and volunteer Virgina, they do exist!). Some projects for the U.S. Forest Service, which will received my journeyman carpenters result of potential wilderness designation, has been mentioned. This concern is involve inventories of campsites and service projects included in the Wild venture into areas not normally open certification from the Carpenters Union I have spent many days of my life especially in the West Potrillo Wilderness laudable, and if it indeed is a real issue, it is designed to raise the forest service’s Guide are all designed to be—first and to the public, such as the San Andres in 1978 and became a licensed General exploring and recreating in these complex. My understanding of this should be addressed. However, many of wilderness scores and provide them foremost—FUN! Fun doesn’t mean they Wildlife Refuge, in the middle of White Contractor in the state of New Mexico areas. I have driven most, if not all, of concern is that it regards the flow of us, sportsmen or not, question the validity can’t be informative and innovative. It Sands Missile Range—a very special with some very important data. shortly thereafter. I have worked in the the existing roads in these areas, and illegal traffic and activities in a generally of this argument against wilderness, doesn’t mean that you can’t take part project that I encourage everyone to Las Cruces area as a general contractor have hiked and/or hunted almost every So much to do, so little time. Come be northern direction from the Mexican as well. The fundamental question to in improving habitat or protecting our experience. The scenery is simply in the building industry since that time. "nook and cranny" to be found there. As a part of something very special, meet border. Currently, to my knowledge, be asked is, "Where are these areas of precious wildlife. Yes, through these jaw-dropping! There are wildlife surveys such, I believe I have a firm foundation some new friends, and get in shape. there is only one legally designated road concern, and how are they impacted by hikes and volunteer service projects we to be done in wild areas we are proposing I believe I was chosen to speak towards for conveying information about these hope to build awareness and support for for Wilderness designation, such as Mills … Speaking of which, don’t forget that runs north through the proposed wilderness designation?" If there are the proposed wilderness legislation as areas that may be of importance in the the protection of New Mexico’s special Canyon and Petaca Pinta. We are going our most intense hike of the year—a wilderness complex that will be closed real issues regarding public good and a result of my familiarity of the areas in discussion of the proposed legislation. landscapes. But first and foremost, we to Elk Mountain, in the Santa Fe National 50-mile, one-day, double traverse of the book can be purchased on Amazon.com. as a result of the legislation. This road safety, let's identify and address them. hope to have FUN! The Wild Guide 2010 Forest, to close down ATV trails. We will Sandias scheduled for September. We will question over the last four decades, and is a very rough, often washed-out, Let us not use them as a justification for captures a wide variety of experiences. be visiting the Gila National Forest three have a special training night at our office, We are so lucky that the Wild Guide was also because of my involvement with I have also been actively involved in two-track trail that runs approximately condemning this wilderness legislation. There is an outing for everyone: whether times, with important projects and great sometime in late April, with professional sponsored by New Belgium Brewing for many conservation and sportsmen's the process of considering the fate of two-thirds the length of the West Potrillo you want to put on your gloves and give adventures—once to remove a fence that trainer Amy Revell from New Mexico the second year and REI for the fifth groups in the community and state. I the areas of concern, not only from the Mountains. The southern two thirds of Finally, we are all aware of the growth back to the land or enjoy a quiet walk has blocked wildlife migration; once to Sports and Wellness. So, as you can see, year. You can do us a huge favor and am currently the NM state chapter community discussion and debate that this jeep trail would be closed as part of that is occurring in this region, and we our schedule is packed with fun and drop a note to these folks, telling them doing a wildlife survey, the Wild Guide conduct a bird survey in the biologi- president for the National Wild Turkey has taken place in the last several years, the wilderness. At this time, anybody should have the vision to realize the adventure. …We will see you on the trail! how much we appreciate their support. 2010 has a fun adventure waiting for you. cally important Continental Divide; and Federation and chairman of the Mesilla but from a much longer perspective can legally drive that road. Therefore, impacts that growth will have on the once with Dave Parsons, the former Valley Longbeard's chapter of NWTF. I that began over two decades ago with law enforcement has no concrete reason area and its inhabitants, both human The volunteer service projects are leader of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Copies of the New Mexico Wilderness Happy Trails! currently represent the NWTF on the the establishment of the wilderness to suspect illegal activity is occurring and otherwise. We have been granted conducted across the state and even across Mexican wolf program, who will lead an Alliance’s 2010 Wild Guide can be Southwest Consolidated Sportsmen study areas. The wilderness issue in if the road is driven. However, if that the wisdom, foresight, and opportunity (SCS) steering committee. I have also question has been discussed in many road is closed, any motorized vehicle to take measures to insure that the served as chairman of SCS. In addition, conservation and sportsmen's forums activity on that road will be illegal and natural treasures that surround us, and I am on the Board of Directors of the well prior to that occurring in the last few hence, cause for investigation. The the plant and animal communities that IF YOU LIKE PEOPLE … Dona Ana County Associated Sportsmen years. Those discussions included many closure of that road, if anything, will reside in them, will not be lost. It has and the Wild Turkey Sportsmen's concerns about the future designation of make law enforcement easier, not more been said the wilderness designation is If you like people, you’ll probably an archaeologist who disputes climate Association and have served as president wilderness for these areas, and in fact, I difficult. Remember, there is no legal the "gold standard" for protecting places enjoy tabling as a volunteer at one change; a rancher involved in a ten-year of those organizations, as well. I have can confidently state that the wilderness off-road vehicle use on public lands now. and insuring future generations have of the many local or regional events dispute with a federal agency over also served as chairman of the local proposal, in its initial form and wording, Therefore, any evidence of motorized the opportunity to enjoy them. Let us NMWA will attend throughout 2010. building a road through his wetlands; Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and would likely not have received support vehicle use along the southern wilderness not waste this opportunity for gold. an avalanche survivor; or lapsed Mule Deer Foundation banquet and from the majority of these groups. The Tabling is not for the fainthearted or NMWA members who reconnect with fundraising committees, and have fact is, though, that the process of debate for skeptics or agoraphobics. There’s wilderness, like meeting an old friend. served on the banquet/fundraising and compromise that occurred during a good chance you’ll have to endure committee for Ducks Unlimited. I am the community forums and meetings that large crowds, loud music, really good All we ask is at least two hours of your a member of the local Quail Unlimited took place has alleviated our concerns homemade food, and really good time and a willingness to engage the chapter and the New Mexico Wildlife and, in turn, brought us to the point of company, like other NMWA volunteers public on our critical wilderness issues Federation. These organizations being strong supporters of the legislation. such as Sheryl Russell, formerly with and campaigns. You’ll get on-the-job represent the interests of thousands the Quivera Coalition and now a tour training, while becoming educated and of sportsmen and conservationists in From my perspective, every effort has guide with Sun Tours, or George Duffy, energized. Some volunteers not only this area and throughout the state. been made to appease those individuals a retired ranger with the Forest Service. last the whole day but return the next. and groups that have participated in the Solar Energy Association. Workshops like the Albuquerque Xeriscape Expo, Los Because of my extensive involvement process. Very real compromises and Tabling is not all about “selling” the The events are always educational and ranged from “Green Building for Pablanos Lavender Festival, Bob Gerding’s with these groups, I believe I have a concessions have been made. Existing organization; it’s also about networking sometimes a little quirky, like Earth Dummies” to “Household Energy Outdoor Adventures Hunting & Fishing good understanding of the issues and roads that were proposed to be eliminated and outreach and engaging people, Day at the Alamogordo Zoo, one of the Independence” to the “Basics of Wind Show, and the Bernalillo Wine Festival. concerns of their members. Hopefully, have been left intact, both to the benefit of like a psychologist with the New oldest zoos in the West. As a volunteer, Energy,” to name just three of sixty I will be able to adequately represent the the ranching interests, and also to provide Sunrise Regional Treatment Center in you will always have time to explore workshops offered during the festival. For further information on NMWA prevailing attitudes and sentiments of reasonable access to the wilderness areas Acoma, who believes wilderness can the great workshops that are often part tabling events, call Roger at: 505-843- these groups in this forum. Make no for recreational users. In reality, very provide a transformative experience of these events, such as the 2009 Solar We table at film festivals, health fairs, and 8696, ext. 1004. We’ll make an effort to mistake, however, by assuming that my few "legal" roads within the proposed for troubled Native American youth; Fiesta, sponsored by the New Mexico home and garden shows, and at events find an event that fits your interests. statements and/or comments represent boundaries will be closed, and the

Page 4 SPRING 2010 New Mexico WILD! Page 5 Check Out the NEW Website! Otero Mesa Update where we stand www.oteromesa.org El Ri o Gr a n d e De l No r t e National Conservation Area (NCA) Proposal by Nathan Newcomer leaked from the Department of Interior Associate Director that outlined prospective new National Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act Monuments that could be designated 2010 Update (Taos and Rio Arriba Counties) I am often encouraged by the small across the country. The memo, moments that occur in campaigns, described by the Interior Department by John Olivias, especially the ones that offer glimpses as a “brainstorm”, wrote that “many New Mexico Wilderness Alliance of hope and signal resolve. Over the nationally significant landscapes are course of eight years working to worthy of inclusion in the [National The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance permanently protect Otero Mesa, there Landscape Conservation System],” and (NMWA) has been working on the Rio have been many of these instances, that “the areas listed below may be good Grande del Norte National Conservation including this past September when we candidates for National Monument Area Establishment Act (RGDNNCA) released a golden eagle back into the designation under the Antiquities for the past three years. Lots of work wild. Watching as this enormous and Act; however, further evaluations has been put into this campaign, and beautiful bird took flight over Alamo should be completed prior to any final we are on the brink of getting 235,980 Mountain, I felt a sensation of freedom decision, including an assessment of acres of federally designated Bureau of and perseverance swell up inside of me. public and Congressional support.” Land Management (BLM) land protected in Taos and Rio Arriba counties. With It was akin to the time that a friend and Making the short list of potential over one hundred local Taos businesses I watched an evening thunderstorm new Monuments was Otero Mesa. on board, along with resolutions from roll through the immense grasslands the Taos and Mora Valley Chambers of of Otero Mesa with a full moon casting The memo went on to say that “Otero Commerce, we are poised to see this a gray rainbow high above our heads. Mesa is one of the last remaining legislation gain momentum in 2010. With vestiges of grasslands – America’s most the support of many individuals, as well Then of course, there are the big moments endangered ecosystem,” and that “these as the Taos County Commissioners and in a campaign that remind you of all the vast desert grasslands of Otero Mesa, stand the importance of preserving this last year with artists John Wenger, except the Village of Questa, we hope to get this work you have done and of the countless once found throughout the region, have important part of our natural heritage. this time we will be joined by grasslands legislation through Congress this year. amount of effort and energy put in by disappeared or been reduced to small photographer, Michael Berman. volunteers and citizens from across patches unable to support native wildlife.” It is clear that as this process moves Economic Work in Northern New Mexico the state. When the 10th Circuit Court forward that the citizens of New Mexico We will be exploring several of the New Over the past year the New Mexico New Mexico Economic Development, discussed the efforts that have gotten Lujan has worked closely with many of Appeals struck down the Bureau of The fact that Otero Mesa is actually being will have yet another chance to let Mexico Wilderness Alliance’s Wilderness Wilderness Alliance has joined with the Chama Chamber of Commerce and other the legislation to where it sits today. key stakeholders in his district to secure Land Management’s oil and gas drilling considered for National Monument desig- the Department of Interior know that Inventory areas within Otero Mesa, Village of Questa, the San Antonio de state and community leaders. Questa the necessary support in making this plan for Otero Mesa this past April, it nation is nothing short of tremendous we support protecting Otero Mesa’s documenting the various animal and Rio Colorado Land Grant, the Questa has been working on developing an Through the efforts of NMWA Northern introduction in the next few weeks. was a clear reminder of the power of news. Whereas the Bush administration wilderness, water and wildlife. We have plant species that occur within these Chamber of Commerce, the Wilderness economic development business park Director John Olivas, the support of Representative Lujan has valued every grassroots organizing and that sometimes worked tirelessly to open the entire area a unique opportunity to be a part of roadless units. We will also be taking Society, and the New Mexico Wildlife around green energies. It is looking to the San Antonio de Rio Colorado Land stakeholder’s point of view during this the right thing does indeed happen. to full-scale oil and gas drilling, we are conservation history by permanently many photographs through the weekend Federation to have discussions about the obtain state and federal funds to help Grant—the traditional land grant process, and we are hopeful that the seeing that President Obama and those preserving this wild and beautiful place, and participating in discussions about economic future of the area. We met with develop its downtown infrastructure. body in northern New Mexico—has House version of the bill will be acted on In late February of 2010, a memo was within the Department of Interior under- and that is something that very few land photography with Mr. Berman. the community of Questa on two separate been secured. The NMWA has many by the time this article goes to print. people can say they were ever a part of. occasions to discuss the economic plans Radio Panel, KTAO—Taos, campaigns planned that will require of the community and how the NCA New Mexico, with Senator Jeff the participation of other land grants We need every reader to contact Please take an opportunity to write October 15 - 17 would help attract tourism to the area. Bingaman, December 16, 2009 as they progress, and this effort will Congressman Lujan at 202-225-6190 in a letter to Ken Salazar, Secretary Experience America’s On December 16, 2009, Melequia Rael, aid future campaigns around federal Washington, D.C.; 505-984-8950 in Santa of the Department of Interior, Wildest Grassland! The first meeting featured a group of the mayor of Questa; Stuart Wilde, of land protection throughout New Fe, New Mexico; or 505-454-3265 in Las letting him know that you think a outfitters who shared their stories about Wild Earth Llama Adventures; Roberta Mexico. The NMWA recognizes that Vegas, New Mexico, to urge the speedy National Monument for Otero Mesa We will be exploring several of the being in business and living in rural New Salazar, of Rivers and Birds, John Olivas, these are key relations to build as we introduction of the House version of S. is a good thing for New Mexico. New Mexico Wilderness Alliance’s Mexico. Questa, with its unique setting of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, move forward on public land protection 874—the Rio Grande del Norte National Wilderness Inventory areas within and open landscapes, offers an oppor- and Ron Gardner sat on a radio panel at campaigns here in New Mexico. Conservation Area Establishment Act. U.S. Department of the Interior Otero Mesa, documenting the various tunity to those local residents who wish KTAO (www.ktao.com), discussing the Secretary Ken Salazar animal and plant species that occur to open a business offering services to Rio Grande del Norte Campaign, which Brief History of the Legislation (S.874) Accessing Wild Rivers Recreation Area 1849 C Street NW within these roadless units. We know tourists who wish to visit the area. Oppor- includes Cerro del Yutta (Ute Mountain) The Rio Grande del Norte National Wild Rivers Recreation Area can be Washington, DC 20240 that Otero Mesa is abundant in wildlife, tunities to start an outdoor recreational Wilderness and San Antonio Wilderness. Conservation Establishment Act was accessed through Taos on Highway yet most of the species in the region business exist in Questa, with the Valle December 16, 2009, was the day that the introduced by Senator Jeff Bingaman 522 three miles north of Questa. From 2010 Outings to Otero Mesa have not been formally documented. Vidal and the Latir Wilderness to the east, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural on April 23, 2009. It went through the NM 522 take NM 378 west, through Fall is the perfect time of Help us build the case for preserving Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area Resources went through its markup of Senate Energy and Natural Resources the village of Cerro and into open land year to see Otero Mesa with America’s wildest grassland. and Wheeler Peak to the southeast, and the bill, passing it unanimously. The Committee in June, and on December toward the gorge that encompasses its grasslands blooming. the Rio Grande Gorge running through community of Taos had the pleasure 16, 2009, it went through markup the Wild Rivers Visitor Center. The Contact Nathan Newcomer nathan@ the middle of the proposed NCA. of receiving a call from Senator Jeff by the committee. It waits to be thirteen-mile road crosses a level plain, nmwild.org, 505-843-8696 to sign up! Bingaman during the panel discussion. packaged into a larger National Lands which enters first into Sheeps Crossing. September 24 – 26 The second meeting was with folks from Senator Bingaman provided an update Package Omnibus Bill later in 2010. the area, including the Mayor of Questa, of the December 16 markup and told his El Rio Grande del Norte National Wilderness Inventory and Art Event Melequia Rael, and its Land Use Admin- constituents that the bill is moving its The NMWA is currently working with Conservation Area will be managed with Photographer Michael Berman istrator, Brent Jaramillo; the Questa way through Congress and will be part the office of 3rd Congressional District by the Bureau of Land Management, Chamber of Commerce, Esther Garcia, of a larger omnibus land package bill in Representative Ben Ray Lujan, who is Taos Field Office, 226 Cruz Alta Road, This outing to Otero Mesa will closely of the San Antonio de Rio Colorado late 2010. The panel took questions from looking to introduce a similar bill on the Taos, New Mexico 87571-5983. Phone: resemble the art outing that we conducted Land Grant, Enchanted Circle, Northern the community about the legislation and House side of Congress. Congressman 575-758-8851; fax: 575-758-1620.

Page 6 SPRING 2010 New Mexico WILD! Page 7 evaluate the scenic values) – ongoing Route Inventory initiated (to identify Land Tenure Adjustment roads and trails) – ongoing Analysis of the Management Situation The BLM will determine what (to evaluate the opportunities for parcels of land should be acquired, management based on the resources on retained, or disposed of through sale the ground) is currently being developed or exchange. They will also consider what areas should be considered for WHAT’S SCHEDULED right-of-way corridors; what easements New Mexico’s Red Rock Country TO HAPPEN NEXT? should be acquired; locations that could be used for—or shouldn’t be by Nathan Newcomer There’s plenty of time to get used for—communication sites. Associate Director involved and make a difference Mineral and Energy Development This past summer, I had the wonderful Development and Analysis of potential opportunity to do a short backpacking Management Alternatives  ongoing The BLM will determine what areas trip into the heart of the Petaca Pinta Public “Road Show” to introduce draft should be considered for a wide array Wilderness Study Area. This isolated Management Alternatives  early 2010 of mineral and energy development, and rugged landscape just west of Public Comment Period on including: sand and gravel, landscaping as hiking or backcountry hunting. Areas, but the BLM no longer uses Albuquerque soon captivated my senses draft Management Alterna- materials, oil and gas, biomass energy, Visual Resource Management this as an official designation, so the and had me reeling with disbelief that tives  early to mid 2010 wind and solar, and geothermal. They agency will need to determine what the it is not better known to the public. Proposed Management Plan/Final EIS will also determine which areas should The BLM will assess “visual” resources, correct designation for these areas is. Some would argue that’s a good thing, will be published  probably in 2011 be excluded from this type of activity. such as scenic vistas, and decide what but as nature writer Ed Abbey once level of protection and management Travel and Trails Management wrote: “The idea of wilderness needs no ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED Recreation and Visitor Services are needed to maintain them. defense. It only needs more defenders.” The agency will consider what trails Identification of Lands with The BLM will determine where certain Special Area Designations and roads will be open to motorized The trip started out with a gentle walk Wilderness Characteristics types of recreation, including motorized use, which ones will have limited up a wide arroyo that was poked with and nonmotorized, will take place—i.e., Several different special areas designa- motorized use, and which will be closed animal tracks, some of which appeared The BLM will review lands for character- in what parts of the Field Office and tions, in addition to SRMAs, will be to motorized use, as well as what types to be mountain lion. After a mile or istics highlighted in the 1964 Wilderness under what conditions. They will look considered during the planning process. of other uses will be permitted on trails. so, I stepped through an opening in an Act such as naturalness, opportunity for at what areas should be designated These include: Areas of Critical Environ- outcrop of boulders and found myself solitude, and opportunities for primitive as Special Recreation Management mental Concern, Back Country Byways, Public Land – Urban Interface standing in the middle of a sweeping or unconfined recreation. They will Areas (SRMAs) and how these areas National Recreation Areas, National “bowl.” The landscape was lunar, with consider how to manage these lands in would be managed to provide certain Trails, Research Natural Areas, Wild The agency will consider management volcanic blocks sprinkled around, order to protect these characteristics. types of recreation experiences, such and Scenic Rivers. There are currently for areas where activities interface and soon more wildlife tracks began twenty-three Special Management with where people live. to appear, including pronghorn and bobcat. The towering geological wonders rising all around me displayed hues of red, yellow, orange, black and purple. Right then and there I knew that Petaca Pinta had made it onto my short list mesas, and rolling hills spread out tent, but the discovery process was very New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and of favorite places in New Mexico. over the valley floor, while Mount rewarding. Directly behind me was the Wilderness Society have submitted a Taylor loomed just to the north and the amazing Blue Water mesa and, to proposal to the BLM recommending that After I hiked out of the bowl and onto the Sandia Mountains hovered on the the south, the soaring Petaca Pinta. the agency adopt a Special Recreation a ledge, the vistas to the east began to far eastern horizon. It was somewhat Management Area (SRMA) for Petaca If we do nothing, explode. Buttes, jagged mountains, difficult to find a flat spot to pitch my The evening was pleasantly cool, and Pinta country. This Petaca Pinta SRMA often times during the night I felt as would encompass approximately 130,000 if I was being watched by mountain acres and would contain three proposed lions. When I woke in the morning, Wilderness Areas: Petaca Pinta, Volcano I grabbed my camera and was able Hill, and Mesa Gallina. We want to to take a picture of the sun rising ensure that these areas are managed in from behind the Sandia Mountains, a way that will provide for enjoyment signaling the first day of summer. I of this spectacular region and preserve breathed in deeply and listened. their outstanding wilderness values, while maintaining the long-term goal of There wasn’t a single sound to be heard. congressional wilderness designation.

Over the course of a year and half now, To learn more about this special gem the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance in New Mexico, please contact Nathan has been working with the Rio Puerco Newcomer ([email protected]). office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to revise its Resource Management WHAT’S HAPPENED SO FAR? Plan. This document will help shape how public lands in the district, including the Notice of Intent (to revise Resource Petaca Pinta area, will be managed in the Management Plan) was published future. Because Resource Management in the Federal Register – 2/29/08 Plans are in place for fifteen to twenty Scoping comment period (seeking input years, it is important for the public on what issues the BLM should address to play a role in urging the agency in the RMP) was held – spring ’08 to select best management practices Report summarizing the for preserving wild landscapes. scoping comments received was published – summer ’08 this could be the end of the line. Help protect the fragile Arctic. As a part of this planning process, the Visual Resource Inventory initiated (to

Page 8 SPRING 2010 New Mexico WILD! Page 9 Equal Protection for the Natural World

But Gila was not yet in its final form. which was time and again hit hard by drought. We all shared the accompanying Its final configuration began with economic miseries and longings for hearings held by the U.S. Forest Service industrial deliverance through mining, by Basia Irland in compliance with the Wilderness logging, and building. From living Act, which required all federal agencies elsewhere, I came to realize that our Wilderness has always fed my soul and responsible for 5,000 acres or more greatest economic assets are our clean air, informed my artwork. Camping beside to hold public hearings. Many of us Big Sky, open spaces, and untrammeled a stream, cooking over a fire (there is prepared for one in early 1973, which wilderness—assets timeless, and, if nothing like the taste of campfire coffee at would determine areas appropriate for properly managed, never depleted. They dawn), and viewing the star-filled night the final wilderness recommendations. are, above all, irreplaceable and priceless.” sky while away from the ambient light of With more restrictive regulations, the city, fill me with joy and reverence. no areas with significant disruption The Forest Service viewed many of the to their natural character would be conservationists’ recommendations My art focuses on the environment, considered for Wilderness designation. in light of its management experience especially regional and international and introduced for authorization a water issues. I have created projects Knowing that the Forest Service had for 760,000-acre wilderness system made connecting communities along the entire such reasons excluded some beautiful up of the Aldo Leopold Wilderness, length of rivers in Canada, England, areas from their proposal, we were which included the Black Range to the Colorado, and Washington State, but the determined to inventory these for possible east and the Gila Wilderness and its one closest to my heart is A Gathering of inclusion. Thus, my husband and I took Mogollon Mountains to the west. Each Waters; Rio Grande, Source to Sea, which a group of Los Alamos High School of these two Wilderness areas, separated took five years to complete. Hundreds students into the Black Range area during by Forest Road 150, had within it parts of participants were invited to put a by Mary Lou Williams Preservation system that encompasses the 1972 Thanksgiving holiday. We found of the original Gila Wilderness of 1924. small amount of river water into the Conservation activist and educator close to 109.5 million acres. And it ourselves in forests where pristine creeks Canteen, write in the Logbook, and pass began here …. in New Mexico! flowed, ultimately feeding the Gila River. As a nation, we can be proud of the these downstream to another person. Giving protection to wild places is one A male bald eagle soared above us that results of our late-nineteenth-century Connections were made that have been of the most important ideas that took In the fall of 1922 Aldo Leopold, a U.S. Thanksgiving Day as if giving a blessing ideals, that people of all hues and ethnic lasting, and groups are still working root in the late nineteenth century. Forest Service supervisor of Carson to our efforts. (Not too many years before, backgrounds have the right to pursue and together. In order to participate in this By creating Yellowstone and Yosemite National Forest, submitted a report scientists had realized that DDT had enjoy their lives equally protected. We project, you had to physically be at the University of New Mexico, where I estab- Mexico. I began creating scrolls, upon and streams. For over twenty years I have National Parks, this concept joined proposing a wilderness area of some negatively affected our national symbol, can be also take pride in the results of our river and interact with someone else lished an art and ecology curriculum, which are enlarged images of pathogens, created carved wooden books coated with in importance, and I believe rightly 755,000² acres that would preserve the causing their eggshells to be unnaturally other “giant.” Whatever the underlying downstream, thereby forming a kind of which provides an opportunity for which kill a child somewhere in the world earth and a “text” from specific sites. The so, that of another of this period, the headwaters area of the Gila River. Frank fragile and drastically reducing their reasons that prompted Leopold and Poole human river that brought awareness to students to get out into the field and to every eight seconds. The dark, destructive “words” are salmon bones found along equal protection of our citizens. Pooler, Southwestern District Forester of populations.) Some very early mining to introduce the concept of wilderness the plight of this stream that is always learn firsthand about wilderness regions. side of water is as fascinating and rich the Salmon River in Oregon, or fool’s the U.S. Forest Service, administratively roads had left barely discernible clues preservation, we now recognize it as one asked to give more than it has. The For many summers I also taught at the in history as its more sanguine side. gold and rust picked up at the Molycorp The Thirteenth Amendment abolished designated this as the Gila Wilderness that mining had ever taken place. of the great visionary acts of all time. And Backpack/Repository for this project was D. H. Lawrence Ranch near Questa, If we had trained a microscope on the molybdenum mine in Questa, or crocodile slavery, but it was the Fourteenth Area. This “recreational working plan” it started right here—in New Mexico— constructed from old recycled floorboards where we explored the Valle Vidal, same bucolic lakes and serene streams cranium shards left behind by hunters Amendment that established the “equal was to be simply that. But it did establish Back home we began preparing our with the Gila Wilderness Preserve. from a demolished Albuquerque church. camped at the Wild Rivers Recreation portrayed in historic paintings, we would at Lago Enriquillo in the Dominican protection” clause. These late-nineteenth- within the National Forest System in 1924 testimony. Finally the day arrived for ______It contains water samples, hydrology Area, and rafted the Rio Grande. have discovered a rich soup of living Republic. Each of these books speaks of century legal precedents have stood the nation’s first protected wilderness. Truth or Consequences, where the hearing reports, a river-clay Canteen, a Logbook, organisms, most of which are harmless abuse to the land and its inhabitants. tall, like giants in an old-growth forest, It included land west of the Black Range was being held. Camping and making 1. Wilderness.net – Fast Facts about photographs of the river, and maps. Trekking into wilderness areas to humans, but some of which kill. The taking deep root over time, expanding and land west of Forest Service Road ourselves look presentable for the hearing America’s Wilderness, http://www. sometimes means contracting waterborne scrolls, which roll up to fit into their own A recent project series, receding/ their influence, serving as nurseries for 150, called the Beaver Head Road.³ was a challenge in itself. But the students, wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=N From 1985 to 2007 I taught in the diseases like giardia (as I know all too carrying cases with shoulder straps, are reseeding, emphasizes the necessity of evolving ideas and a sense of justice, with their young, glistening faces, dressed WPS&sec=fastfacts&print=yes Department of Art and Art History at the well), which is prevalent here in New made from handwoven fabric bought at communal effort and scientific knowledge taking on their own critical mass of A great deal of controversy swelled within in clean Levis, each stood nervously local markets from specific communities to deal with the complex issues of climate acceptance. With the creation of our as well as without the Forest Service as 2. Spray, Richard H., “The Gila Wilderness: in Ethiopia, Egypt, Nepal, or India. disruption and watershed restoration by before the microphone, and while Boundary Adjustments and Other High national parks, an equally important to how to protect this wilderness area releasing seed-laden ephemeral ice book describing their experiences in the Gila Jinks, 1924–1980” (paper presented at the precedent embedded itself in the public properly while allowing enjoyment of they seemed to stand a bit taller with the Southwest Wilderness conference, Western Living in the arid high desert, I have sculptures into rivers. (See the 2010 Wild conscience and consciousness—the need it.4 Boundary changes contracted and growing awareness that they were having New Mexico University, Silver City, NM). created sculptural rain-harvesting Guide for my article about an ice book for protection of the natural world. expanded its acreage. Various decisions a voice in this governmental process. systems for spaces on the UNM campus, launch at the Rio Grande after a hike excluded the building of Forest Service 3. Many thanks to Ron Henderson, the Pueblo of Isleta, and the Albuquerque into the gorge.) The closed books have As an outgrowth of the equal protection roads but maintained old military We carefully listened to the impas- Recreation, Land, Wilderness staff officer, Museum. When the museum asked me seed patterns on the covers, while the Gila Forest Service (rtd.) who kindly shared clause, federal agencies have struck down wagon roads. Since no overriding laws sioned pleas of conservationists to make a fountain for them, I refused open books have rows of seeds forming walls of discrimination, allowing for the or regulations were in force to guide the his time, files, and an expertise that includes because I did not want to use the already a “riparian text.” I work with stream and environmentalists and felt the a rich depth of understanding and love of full enjoyment of, and contributions to, explicit dos and don’ts, vehicles such as depleted ground or aquifer water. Then ecologists, biologists, and botanists to angst of those ranchers and regional the Gila and its history. A sincere thanks as our agencies and public lands. President jeeps were allowed into roadless areas, residents who feared they would lose well to John Kramer, Wilderness, Trails, and I reconsidered and inquired if I could ascertain the best seeds for each specific Obama, our first African-American leaving deeply rutted and scarred tracks. grazing rights and potential industrial Recreation staff officer for the Gila National place a stock tank on the roof of the riparian zone. When the plants regenerate president, acted to undergird protection development in an economy that Forest; Bob Schiowitz, archaeologist for building, which now funnels rain into and grow along the bank, they help of wilderness during his first one hundred But with the signing into law of the barely provided a reasonable living. Gila National Forest; and Andrea Martinez, a set of three cast-bronze hands. Desert sequester carbon, hold the banks in place, days in office. He signed into law the Wilderness Act of 1964, the Gila Public Affairs officer of the Gila National Fountain only works when it has rained, and provide shelter for riverside creatures. Omnibus Public Land Management Wilderness emerged legislatively Forest. Each kindly provided helpful thereby demonstrating visibly the “I, like so many other people in New information in preparation of this article. Act of 2009, which added almost 2.1 protected with Section 3 (a). It declared Mexico, took wilderness and wildness increasingly dry ecosystem where we live. Basia’s book is Water Library, University million acres, resulting in fifty-two all areas within the national forests of New Mexico Press, 2007, and her for granted because it was everywhere 4. See note 2 above. new Wilderness areas and additional previously classified as wilderness as around,” I began my comments. “I My working process most often occurs out Web site is basiairland.com. acreage for twenty-six existing ones.¹ Wilderness areas with very specific grew up in a farming and ranching area in the field, especially along rivers, creeks, We now have a National Wilderness permitted usages and prohibitions.

Page 10 SPRING 2010 New Mexico WILD! Page 11 do consistently include plazas enclosed on at least three sides by walls. This mirrors the pattern found within Chaco and the Chaco World Canyon and suggests that ties between the Canyon and its nearest neighbors in the San Juan Basin were comparatively strong. It also indicates that people in the by John Kantner Basin preferred visiting the monumental Canyon greathouses instead of using local More than forty-three miles to the south great kivas, which were the traditional of Chaco Canyon, nestled against the red ceremonial centers of ancestral Puebloan sandstone walls of the Red Mesa Valley, communities. Beyond the boundaries is a small village that archaeologists call of the San Juan Basin, in contrast, Casamero. When its first permanent great kivas become more common, inhabitants arrived by the AD 700s, even in greathouse communities. they built pithouses on top of the mesa; Greathouses exhibit interesting later, they constructed a loose cluster patterns across time as well as space. of small masonry homes at the base In general, Chacoan architecture of the cliffs. These modest structures, appeared first within the San Juan none more than a dozen rooms, had Basin, while much later, greathouses roughly-shaped cobbled walls made were built in communities well beyond of the readily available sandstone. By this natural feature. As archaeologist the AD 900s, Casamero consisted of Gwinn Vivian suggests, the idea of no more than twenty of these homes. the greathouse passed from neighbor At some point in the late tenth or to neighbor. Greathouse construction spread relatively quickly down the Rio early eleventh century, the residents through a community. Still others distributors of resources. Based upon was about. And only by scientifically of Casamero built something new: Puerco of the West drainage in the late AD 900s; into the foothills of the Chuska symbolically articulated with prominent these discoveries, many of us now view excavating more sites will we be able a two-story structure of more than topographical features on the landscape. Chaco Canyon as a pilgrimage center that to answer some of the more pressing twenty rooms. Constructed of carefully Mountains by about 1000; and north into the San Juan River area beginning Whatever the evolving interpretations of routinely received visitors bearing gifts. questions. We can address other shaped limestone blocks fitted into the Chacoan roads, they are impressive What happened in the greathouses unresolved issues, however, by further massive walls, the new building had in the middle of the eleventh century. Bursts of greathouse construction features. One of the most commonly outside Chaco Canyon? This question taking advantage of new technologies. unusually large rooms enclosing a plaza. cited characteristics is their linearity. remains largely unanswered, just as it Studies employing Geographic Infor- This new architectural form appeared occurred throughout the Chaco region in the latter half of the eleventh century. Many segments proceed in reasonably does for the long-studied greathouses mation Systems—computer databases in in virtually every village throughout straight lines, often disregarding local in the central canyon. Kathy Roler which detailed information can be tied to the Red Mesa Valley, just as it did in did they realize the potential significance as much data as possible from all great- implying exactly how they are connected. By the turn of the twelfth century, thousands of peopleboth within topography to preserve their trajectory. Durand, an archaeologist from Eastern digital, three-dimensional landscapes— over two hundred other communities of these discoveries. Two archaeological house research conducted outside Chaco Greathouse Communities In a few cases, roads employ ramps or New Mexico University, recently noted are already answering questions about the across the northern Southwest in projects were instrumental in changing Canyon. The resulting spatial database, across Space and Time and outside the central canyonwere building and using greathouses. staircases to go over obstacles rather that comparatively high quantities of roadways and the function of the tower the tenth and eleventh centuries. To the prevailing view of Chacoan “outliers.” representing over two-hundred Chacoan The debate over what to call greathouses than going around them. Although the unusual artifacts—effigy vessels, carved kivas that the Chacoans built into a few archaeologists today, the masonry work, The Chaco Center (a collaboration greathouses, is available on the World and their communities has occurred The Famous Chacoan Roads No aspect of the Chaco World has road builders primarily cleared soil wooden staffs or wands, stone phalluses, of their greathouses. Increasingly sophis- exceptional size, and time period of of the National Park Service and the Wide Web (http://sipapu.gsu.edu/chaco- largely because so little is known about to create the roads, they also created and many bird remains, including a few ticated techniques in remote sensing these buildings suggest that they were University of New Mexico) and the world.html) and is continually revised them. Archaeologists presently know of generated more public interest—and such confusion—as the “roads” or “roadways” raised beds, stairways, and ramps, macaws—have been recovered from are identifying Chacoan features from inspired by the greathouse architecture Public Service Company of New Mexico as new information becomes available. over 225 possible greathouses located especially around Chaco Canyon. Many the handful of “outlier” greathouses space and penetrating thick soil deposits of Chaco Canyon. We therefore refer each sponsored extensive greathouse What Do All the Terms Mean? outside Chaco Canyon, but surprisingly that are associated with many great- houses. Archaeologists recognized the stairways and even some roadbeds were excavated by archaeologists. This led her to reveal what lies below the surface at to the region in which these buildings inventories within the San Juan Basin. Like most of my colleagues, I characterize few of these exhibit all the expected cut directly into sandstone cliffs. The to conclude that greathouses were perhaps greathouses. Geochemical techniques appear as the “Chaco World,” reflecting Then, in a 1978 article, Jeffrey Altschul a “greathouse,” whether inside or outside features. Their only consistent charac- roads in the late 1800s and early 1900s, erroneously interpreting the shallow and ancestral Puebloans also constructed storehouses for ceremonial items, if not applied to pottery, stone, and even wood our assumption that greathouses both proposed a new ideathat the central Chaco Canyon, as an unusually massive, teristic is that they are comparatively architectural features along the sides the actual locations of important rituals. and corn are now telling us where items within and outside of the Canyon were Canyon formed the center of an multistoried building with large rooms more massive than the residential wide swales they saw as ancient irrigation canals. In the 1970s and early 1980s, of the roadways, including earthworks Associated features such as the linear of trade originated and where they ended part of the same cultural phenomenon. “interaction sphere.” Archaeologists no and thick masonry walls. Other features structures found around them. Some and herraduras— horseshoe-shaped roadways, enclosed plazas, and encircling up as people interacted across the Chaco longer regarded Chaco Canyon as an that distinguish a greathouse from a have large rooms; others do not. Some researchers used techniques such as aerial photography and infrared scanning to masonry enclosures that can measure berms also suggest ceremonial activity. World. Just as the past few decades of History of Chaco World Research isolated phenomenon but rather as part typical Puebloan domestic residence of have multiple stories; others do not. Even over twenty feet across. Although the once The Direction of Chaco World Research “outlier” research revolutionized our of an extensive system in which goods the late ninth through the early twelfth within a single greathouse, considerable map what they thought were well over one hundred miles of prehistoric roads. hypothesized network of Chacoan roads Archaeologists working in the field of understanding of the Chaco system, Acknowledgment of the importance and information flowed between outlying centuries include circular kivas built inconsistency exists: at the Blue J has yet to be confirmed, the amount of Chacoan studies disagree about many the next few decades also promise to of Chacoan architecture outside communities and the central Canyon. inside the structure (rather than out in greathouse where I am working, some Using these methods, they perceived extensive networks of roads, which they labor that ancestral Puebloans committed things, but all concur that much more be exciting for us as we continue doing Chaco Canyon did not come easily to Another important step in Chaco World the plaza), roadways, earthen platforms walls are thin, while others are massive. to constructing the alignments and their research remains to be done on the research in the northern Southwest. archaeologists. Through the middle of research occurred during the Chaco and berms, and nearby great kivas. Despite these problems, some interesting interpreted as physically linking most greathouses to Chaco Canyon. This image associated features is extraordinary. outlying greathouses and greathouse the twentieth century, archaeologists Synthesis Project, which began in the late We use the term “outlier” to describe patterns do appear when one plots all Life in Greathouse Communities communities before we will be able to found Chacoan architecture outside 1990s. It consisted of a series of seminars greathouses located outside Chaco the suspected greathouses on a map of of the Chacoan landscape perseveres today in much of the popular literature. As we learn more about the Chaco World, understand what the Chaco phenomenon Chaco Canyon, but not until the 1970s during which we attempted to consolidate Canyon. Occasionally, “outlier” refers the northern Southwest. For example, we are beginning to investigate how great- to both a greathouse and the cluster of all but a small handful are associated Later, in the 1980s, when archaeologists attempted to verify the existence of all house communities interacted with one homes—the village—in which it was with a sizable cluster of homes, and another and with the apparent center in built. In recent years, however, some of the vast majority of greathouses were these roads, they found problems with the original interpretations. By the 1990s, Chaco Canyon. Two decades ago, Wolky my colleagues and I have protested the built in already-established Puebloan Toll and other researchers convincingly use of this term, for it implies a subser- villages. Typically, the ancestral criticisms of the original assessments began to appear in print. Bureau of demonstrated that the inhabitants of the vient and passive relationship between Pueblos established their greathouse central Canyon acquired great quantities Chaco Canyon greathouses and those in the center of a village, usually in Land Management archaeologist John Roney, for example, noted that the vast of finished goods and raw materials from found elsewhere; such a relationship still a prominent topographical location. virtually all areas of the Chaco World. remains to be scientifically demonstrated. While this may have provided them majority of confirmed roads extended no more than a few kilometers. In my Ceramics, timber, exotic goods, and As a result, some of us prefer other termi- with the best views of the surrounding perhaps even food regularly flowed into nology, such as “Chacoan greathouse” landscape, it also had the disadvantage computer-based research, I found that the road builders were not concerned Chaco Canyon, presumably supplied or “greathouse community”, to refer of exposing them to the most weather. by the residents of outlying greathouse either to the greathouses found outside In her research, Ruth Van Dyke with selecting cost-efficient routes between villages. Instead, some communities. Few, if any goods, however, Chaco Canyon or to their accompanying uncovered another compelling spatial moved back out of the canyon. Thus, villages. These terms convey the cultural pattern in the Chaco World: greathouses roadways were designed to connect ceremonial architecture, while many it seems, the people of Chaco Canyon connections between the central Canyon in the San Juan Basin generally are not were consumers, not middlemen or and the rest of the Chaco World without associated with great kivas, but they others simply provided central “avenues”

Page 12 SPRING 2010 New Mexico WILD! Page 13 as backhoes, cement mixers, and other heavy equipment. The argument is that some of the ruins require dams or improvements to protect them from DC Connection: erosion, or to get into future intensive excavations. This would in theory, allow the vehicles to be driven across the park The Process of Protection at will, across grasslands and into mesas with the promise of future restoration. was held by a small number of wealthy of protected areas managed by the U.S. Springs Area of Critical Environmental The good news as you will see in the individuals, Americans like Congressman Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Concern as well as the La Cienega Area following article is that many Archeolo- John Lacy, President Teddy Roosevelt, That accomplishment forever changes of Critical Environmental Concern. gists’ do not agree with this concept. Nor George Bird Grinnell, and Aldo Leopold the relationship between the BLM and FLTFA expires in July of this year, so I does the Park Service that has made left us a very different legacy. Because of the lands they manage and explicitly will continue to work with my colleagues clear that the park is designed to show their work, respect for our public lands places conservation strongly in their to reauthorize this important program the ruins and allow for their natural is deep-rooted in the culture and history mandate, something that I believe will before that deadline. Reauthorizing this decay over time. In addition, many of American families and nowhere is have great and positive consequences legislation gives federal land managers a tribes have made clear the importance that more true than in New Mexico. for the management of all BLM lands. critical tool to purchase inholdings and of these sacred areas being left alone other high conservation value property. and that ruins are not disturbed. This As a member of the 111th United States In addition, this legislation protected has been an ongoing debate not just in Congress, I am proud to carry on that 1,000 miles of rivers through the National Each of these measures has moved Chaco, but across the nation as Native tradition of American conservation. I Wild and Scenic River System and created forward our tradition of stewardship and American feelings have been made clear am the latest member of Congress from two million acres of new wilderness in I am honored to be part of a Congress that these sites must be respected. New Mexico to serve on the House states like Utah, Idaho and Oregon. that has chosen to defend these treasured Discover New Mexico - Chaco Culture Natural Resources Committee, which landscapes. I will continue to work with continued from page 2 the site of tents filling the campground. gas development. This is crucial if the So the time for protection of Chaco has jurisdiction over our nation’s This year the committee has taken up my colleagues in northern and southern In addition, as we have mentioned park experience is to be maintained Canyon is now. The Senate omnibus public lands, waters, and wildlife. many pieces of legislation designed to New Mexico, our state’s Senators, and Another major concern to those of us that (many bills tied together in one piece love this park is the idea of paving the before, the park remains vastly under and its priceless ruins protected. Before me, New Mexicans like Manuel improve our stewardship of the public members of the New Mexico Wilderness funded. As such, its basic needs like of legislation) package of wilderness by U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich Luján, Bill Richardson and Tom Udall lands and protect our wildlife. I have Alliance to protect our unique landscapes main road into the park. Once again, part legislation will be completed by May. We of what makes Chaco so appealing is the sewage treatment and staffing are This issue will be decided in the coming have represented our state on this been proud to cosponsor many of these for future generations and I will continue are working hard to get as many arche- For some, our nation’s public lands are a effort one undertakes to enter the park, not capable of handling what would two months, thus the importance committee and they left an indelible bills, including legislation to protect working so that New Mexico is home ologists signed on to getting wilderness source of spiritual renewal. Others value on its long, winding, sometimes muddy be a massive increase in visitation. of better educating people on the mark on our western landscape. our nation’s remaining Forest Service to several new Wilderness Areas. protection for Chaco Canyon as possible. these lands for their scenic landscapes dirt road. That same road prevents the need to gain wilderness protection Roadless Areas and the Udall-Eisenhower Also, getting letters into our congres- and archaeological resources. Still hoards of tour buses and explosion of This remains another important reason for this World Heritage Site. As someone who worked for years to Arctic Wilderness Act. I am also the U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich once sional offices (this is Congressman others value them for their camping, tourists that many contemporary parks for wilderness introduction. If, in the protect the Ojito and Sabinoso Wilderness primary sponsor for the Federal Land served as Board Chair for the New Mexico Lujan’s district) and hopefully getting hiking, hunting, fishing or educational of today are dealing with. Of course that future, the road is paved and visitation Currently, the biggest stumbling block Areas before running for Congress, it was Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA). Wilderness Alliance as well as Executive members to visit the local offices of our opportunities. But above all, I think has not stopped the San Juan County increases, then the pressure on the park appears to be a minority of, ironically a real honor to cast my vote last year for FLTFA was first passed in 2000 as a Director of the Coalition for New Mexico Senators to make clear their support for we can all agree that how we treat Commissioners seeming obsession with to build new roads or more campgrounds archeologists’. Some in that community the Omnibus Public Lands Management result of our efforts to purchase the Wilderness and Executive Director of protecting what many consider the most these lands speaks to who we are as a getting this road paved. While it is true or perhaps a restaurant will only continue to push for the ability to go Act (the Act) and to be on hand at the Valles Caldera for the public. It directs the Cottonwood Gulch Foundation. important of wild landscapes in our state. nation. In fact, the very idea of public that the few Navajo families who live in increase. So our goal of protecting the into Chaco with heavy equipment such White House when President Obama funds from the sale of excess BLM land Each of those experiences reinforced his lands, with their Wilderness Areas and this remote part of the county would like qualities of solitude, controlling oil and signed this historic legislation. As a result to purchase high conservation value appreciation for the diverse ways in which National Parks is uniquely American in the road paved, the more logical answer gas development on the border, night of the Act, not only was the Sabinoso lands for the National Park Service, U.S. New Mexicans value our wilderness. For origin and one of our nation’s greatest lies in the fact that a paved road will make skies and the beauty of the Anasazi Wilderness protected, but the 26 million Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest more information about Rep. Heinrich’s achievements. In contrast to Europe, drilling operations on public land that ruins that make this park so special acre National Landscape Conservation Service, and the BLM. In New Mexico, work in Congress to keep New Mexico where historically land and wildlife much easier. For some time the road has are best protected by designation of System will become a permanent system FLTFA funded acquisitions like the Elk wild, visit http://Heinrich.house.gov. been a consistent controversy. The study wilderness in this Historical Park. prepared by Parametrix, a consulting growth of America and the middle class, than 700,000 acres may be designated will have access to a clean environment But there remain some stumbling blocks group with affiliations to the URS Corpo- it occurred so fast that many forgot to ask as Wilderness this year, with much and a chance to sleep under the stars, in to our efforts. The issues around this ration with oil and gas drilling contracts, sanity about simply finding a balance. If devel- more on the horizon. Next year could be protected lands that will become at least park are complex. Several years ago (see was far from creatable (credible?) and opment had been handled with a sense of even better. The wolf has slowly made 12% of our state. It means that native issue>>>) we arranged a meeting of Park continued from page 2 cost taxpayers more than $500,000 of the value of wild nature, both could have a comeback, despite the murderous species will have a chance to thrive, not Service, Bureau of Land Management, the $800,000 earmarked by Congress. been accomplished, but our country was advocacy of a select group of people that run in fear. Perhaps most important of all, Bureau of Indian Affairs and the State the oil companies wealthy and powerful The funds were allocated to study the moving away from nature, and people time has clearly forgotten. We will all need it means that people will reconnect with Land Office. At issue were the many and allowed our poor state to prosper— environmental and cultural impacts of were thought to be better off. to continue to ensure that the wolf has the land, by spending time in the solitude elements that the Park had problems with. environmental balance be damned. If paving the road and for the paving itself. a safe environment, because one thing of wildness. That mission is what drove This began with the fact that one of the the recent Supreme Court ruling on large Which is what makes the work of Murie, that time has shown us is that people can these great nature writers, several genera- parks most important cultural artifacts- corporations is not reined in by Congress, To date there has not been an environ- Graves, and Leopold so vital. They were learn. Leopold learned, and those who feel tions ago, to push for sanity, to reach for Pueblo Pintado, actually lies outside the then their power will only grow. mental assessment. Litigation of this writing as their passion—wild nature— compelled to kill this beautiful animal people’s hearts as a means of protecting boundaries of the Park and is partly on expensive piece of potential asphalt was being removed by the masses. Beyond will also learn that there is plenty of room the land. Like the earth itself, such wisdom BLM lands and Navajo lands. We also This is important to understand in seems inevitable. Some of suggested heartbreaking, it had to be bewildering. for us to coexist. takes time to develop; but for this state identified several parcels of state lands connection with wilderness and protected that the road have some engineering They were speaking to the people of the and this magical planet, the responsibility some that had earlier been leased for lands. We remain last in the West in improvements, more gravel put down time, who viewed progress as gold and If we are to find balance in this state, this lies with us. Speak out, demand justice, oil and gas to be added to the park. The the amount of lands we have protected in areas more prone to washout. Such a controlling nature as logical. All the while, sacred ground we call New Mexico, we before we see the wildness turned into a current plan calls for placing these state as Wilderness for a reason. Somewhere compromise seems logical and would theirs was wisdom and understanding must push forward on an agenda of sanity museum, a relic of the greatness it was. lands in 99-year conservation easements. after World War II, a new kind of culture help the few families that live near the began to develop in our state and, for that it would take another generation or for the land. It begins with new energy park enjoy a safer mode of travel. But more to comprehend. solutions like rooftop solar panels across We have also begun meeting with the that matter, across the West. It was this compromise would still keep out our state, rather than destroying lives and tribes, BLM and other conservation progress to most—the building of dams, the tour buses and endless caravans of Today, we continue to push for Wilderness lands for overpriced energy that forty years groups to create a buffer zone around the cutting of forests, and the removal of Recreational Vehicles, which means the across our state, and our congressional later still leaves scars on the lands and in the park that would be free from oil and predators. In New Mexico, it was oil, gas, park would maintain its character and and uranium, and while that fueled the delegation is beginning to act. More people’s hearts. It means that our children

Page 14 SPRING 2010 New Mexico WILD! Page 15 Still Building Community Jim Hickerson, Chairman to hear testimony regarding the Organ isn’t easy, requiring the consensus persuasions, raising awareness, educating Board of Directors Mountains, Desert Peaks Wilderness and vocal support of local citizens, about the value of nature natural BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK MORE Act, legislation now before Congress that businesses, and area leaders. values, creating consensus, melding THANa JUSTriver AN AMERICAN runs GEM through it In December I became the Board’s would add conservation protection to many voices into one and making our chairman of the New Mexico Wilderness over 230,000 acres in Doña Ana County. Looking at the process from the top legislators aware of our interests. When By Steve West occupies the central part of the park, Alliance, succeeding Wesley Leonard, our Time and again, a citizen, businessman, down: formal protection of public lands we do it well, “building community” Staff Scientist rising to over 7,800 feet (2,380 meters). longest-serving chairman and one of our or local government leader speaking in typically requires an act of Congress. becomes Building Community. Away from interstate highways and big In the higher country are pine and even founders. With this honor comes great support of the measure would reference Successful legislation needs sponsors cities can be found some true gems that aspen stands and a whole host of plants responsibility but also great rewards. the extensive negotiations that occurred from the senators and congressmen in the We measure our success by the legislation reflect what the desert lands of North and animals not found elsewhere in One of them is working with Stephen during the past three years to bring the state where the lands lie. Sponsors require this community stimulates. This year, America were once like. At first glance, the park. Surrounding the mountain is Capra, an inspirational leader managing a parties into agreement. Sportsmen and expressions of support from the voters in addition to the Doña Ana County anyway. Because hidden away in those the characteristic lowland Chihuahuan remarkably effective staff. Another honor businesses originally against became for, before they will introduce such legislation. legislation, we celebrate the introduction desert landscapes are tall mountains, desert with lechuguilla, yuccas, and a is the association I have with members city and county governments became Voters will actively express themselves of the Rio Grande del Norte Wilderness relict aspen forests, black bears, wide variety of grasses and cacti. To the of our Board, past and present, and supporters, citizens changed their minds. only with regard to things they care Act, also by Senator Bingaman. If waterfalls, tropical birds, and forms of life south of all this is the primary riparian members of our Advisory Council, who This didn’t happen by accident; it was the strongly about, and they care most about they become law, these two bills will found nowhere else in the world. But most habitat found in the park, surrounding all have special talents and experience result of three years of long hours and things that they have come to understand add protection to over 700,000 acres of it is desert—hot, dry, unforgiving. the Rio Grande and a few small streams that make them valuable to our mission. hard work, much of it by our Las Cruces are important to them and their families. of some of our most valuable public This is land that most people reject. It and springs that flow into the river. Three In the future I hope to tell you more staff—Nathan Small and Jeff Steinborn. lands. We thank Senator Bingaman for is the type of landscape that may repel sets of huge canyons encase the river. about that interaction, but today I want to We play a role in all these steps. Once our listening to our community, now his you at first, but it is land that can change In only a few places there are lowlands, movement to protect these borderlands. is the black bear. What is now Big Bend develop a theme that has appeared before Here in New Mexico, having beautiful, board and staff have agreed upon the community, too. I extend my personal your soul for the better. It is land that you often rich in plant and animal life. One Cemex has purchased large expanses National Park once had good numbers in this newsletter: building community. undisturbed public lands nearby next campaign, we start at the bottom, thanks to our staff members, who were either take on its own terms or not at all. of these areas, Rio Grande Village, was of land and declared it "wilderness," of this species, but they were wiped out helps form the character of our state working with citizens, businesses, conser- more responsible than any other single The Rio Grande runs through the once farmland but now is mostly filled intending to manage it as such. Its goal is long ago. Over the years, as habitat in the In early February I had the opportunity and the lives of the people who dwell vation groups, land grants, chambers group of people for getting us to this middle of such an area, forming the with campgrounds. Sadly, for most to reestablish bighorn sheep—a species park improved and as hunting pressure to attend a formal Field Hearing chaired here. Although citizens generally of commerce, tribes and pueblos, civic place. Their work, more than anything boundary between the United States and people visiting the park, the Chisos that disappeared decades ago—in the continued on them in Mexico, a few by Senator Bingaman and attended by appreciate that fact, getting agreement organizations, church groups, sportsmen, else, defines the Wilderness Alliance. Mexico. North of the river is Big Bend Basin Visitor Center at the base of the Sierra del Carmen, whose protected bears started wandering north. While Senator Udall, Congressman Teague, to take the extra step to obtain formal local acequias, and anyone else who This is what we do; this is who we are. National Park—just over 800,000 acres of mountains and Rio Grande Village area is just over 500,000 acres. there is now a small resident population and 600 local citizens. We were all there conservation protection for those lands will listen. We reach out to all sides and land that has more species of birds than are all they see. Big Bend is a big park, To the west is another large protected in the park, a larger area is needed to any national park in the United States. Big and there is much more to discover. area, the Santa Elena Canyon maintain a healthy, self-sustaining Bend is well known to Texans and others It is ironic that the largest park in Texas, Protected Area. This area starts at population of black bears. Preserving as a desert destination, and it receives with hundreds of thousands of acres the edge of the river and heads south, such areas in Mexico, along with about 400,000 visitors each year. It is without roads, does not have a single covering over 690,000 acres. additional protected areas north of the Multiply Your Power much better known than corresponding acre of congressionally designated This area is also desert, like much river, such as Big Bend Ranch State Park areas south of the Rio Grande; the Wilderness. That is in the process of being What a great time I had! as I used the facts to lead them on a of Big Bend, and unlike Maderas del and the Black Gap Wildlife Management Mexican parks and protected areas are corrected, however, with the New Mexico logical path toward supporting my goal. Carmen, which is more like the Chisos Area, will ensure viable black bear little known, especially north of the Wilderness Alliance and TexasWild! No, I didn’t visit Otero Mesa, hiking 5. I asked what they would do to Mountains. It has a few more canyons populations throughout the region. border. In Mexico, parks and protected working to have over 500,000 acres in through that beautiful and wild follow up with my representative. than the lowlands of Big Bend, but The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance areas are established somewhat differ- Big Bend designated as Wilderness. Chihuahuan grassland. But I did do 6. I left knowing that this meeting it is covered with much of the same and TexasWild! are deeply involved in ently than in the United States. Some are Southeast of Big Bend is the Maderas something almost as fun and a lot more was really effective and wrote a desert scrub found to the north. promoting Wilderness in Big Bend. We like those in the United States—land del Carmen Protected Area. This high important—I met with my representa- thank-you note the next day. To complete the picture along the recently had a meeting with Mexican set aside by the federal government— limestone ridge has black bears, extensive tives to explain why Otero Mesa needs to river—the area between the two protected park officials to see what we can to while many are the result of agreements pine forests, and close to 400 species The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance Book Group meets the third Thursday of every be preserved for generations to come. That’s it! areas in Mexico also recently received a do help them meet their goals. While with local landowners or ejidos—land of birds. Additional land has recently month, at 7pm, at the Albuquerque NMWA office. Every meeting promises great higher degree of protection. This area is Mexico and its citizens will decide what collectively owned by a community. been purchased by Cemex, the large discussion centered on that month’s chosen book, leading to a larger discussion of If you haven’t tried it before, a visit to It’s also important to connect to your called Ocampo, and it is protected by the happens there, it is our hope that we can Central to Big Bend are the Chisos international and Mexican-based cement our natural environments. To date, the group has read your senator or representative may listener on a personal level. This puts decree that it be “protected as a natural assist in whatever way possible. Border Mountains, a huge monolith of stone that company, which is a big player in the seem intimidating at first. Nothing can a “human face” on the issue. At one area with the character of a protected relations have soured since 9/11, and An Unspoken Hunger, Terry Tempest Williams be further from the truth! Whether meeting, we spoke of how I decided Flora and Fauna Area.” This area this is an opportunity for people on both Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Annie Dillard Democrat or Republican, I was to move to New Mexico because encompasses an additional 644,000 acres. sides of the river to work together for A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold welcomed in with a smile and a warm of quality-of-life issues, and the It can be argued that these areas don’t common goals. A book recently came Ordinary Wolves, Seth Kantner handshake. Meetings were casual liaison agreed how quality of life is receive the protection found in U.S. out on the history and culture of people Silent Spring, Rachel Carson and lasted about twenty minutes. a top desire for most New Mexicans, national parks and are not as secure. along the river, especially upriver in Raven’s Exile, Ellen Meloy including herself and her family. That is probably largely true, yet the the Ojinaga-Presidio area. The book is Inferno, Charles Bowden Here’s how the process works: picture of protection on the south side of titled The River Never Divided Us. That A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains, Isabella Bird Stay positive throughout, and you’ll the Rio Grande is much improved. The should be our goal as we pursue plans A Forester’s Log, Mary Steuver 1. I called the environmental liaison leave them with a positive image of first national parks in the United States to protect landscapes, wildlife, forests, of my representative (the NMWA has the yourself, which subliminally translates largely didn’t have the protection level desert scrub—and yes, communities. This year, we will add to our list books that include the essays, poetry, science, contact info), told them what I would like into a positive image of your message! they have today. As time passed and we as To the south of the protected areas on visions, paintings, and photography of NMWA’s very own staff, board, members, to talk about, and set up a meeting date. a nation began to appreciate them more, the Mexican side of the Rio Grande are and dear friends. Already in 2010 we have read A Forester’s Log by Mary Steuver, a 2. I researched my topic thoroughly, Remember: they want to talk to protection increased, as did the amount of many other areas receiving the first levels member of this very book group! anticipated any questions that might us! They want to know what their acreage protected. We can hope the same of protection, such as Mapimi Biological be asked of me, and clarified in my constituents are thinking. thing will happen in Mexico. And it would Reserve (846,000 acres), Cuenca We always welcome new members who want to explore the natural world through mind what my goal was (in this case, be hard to argue that any protection Alimentadora (3,700,000 acres), and the love of books. If you are interested, please contact Miranda Gray at miranda@ to have them support a moratorium Know that they look at one personal level is not a positive step forward. Cuatrocienegas Protected Flora and Fauna nmwild.org or 505-843-8696 ext.1010 on drilling in Otero Mesa). visit as representing the concerns Why is all this important to us, especially Area (208,000 acres). Each of these areas 3. I stated the facts and asked them of hundreds of constituents. to those of us who regard Big Bend as is unique, with flora and fauna found NEW! Each month, Albuquerque’s local independent bookstore Book Works will if that was their understanding, too. their favorite area? Animals and plants nowhere else in the world. And each has display our pick of the month under their local Book Groups section, and you can 4. An enjoyable conversation then ensued Multiply Your Power! move, of course, and one good example a story to tell, but that’s for another time. receive 10% off the cover price!

Page 16 SPRING 2010 New Mexico WILD! Page 17 UNM Students Take a Stand for Wilderness

beautiful red rock country is right in accomplish a lot, even in one semester. Albuquerque’s backyard. We are coming by Stuart Wilde, stations that heavily impact the ecology Tom Udall introduced the Valle Vidal total twenty-seven students participated If even one student learns to love the in at a very exciting time, when the BLM’s Wild Earth Llama Adventures, of an area and displace local wildlife. Protection Act. The bill passed the in the event. (See attached photos) wilderness through us, that is a victory Rio Puerco office is revising its land and House in the summer of 2006, and, with that cannot be measured in numbers. management plan. This land qualifies John Olivas, The Front Range of the Rockies had support from Senator Jeff Bingaman Directions to the Valle Vidal West as Wilderness but must go through the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance just been dubbed the “Saudi Arabia of and a momentous reversal from Senator Directions: From Taos, New Mexico, travel Education starts with talking to students political process to be designated. Along natural gas,” and the Raton Basin was Domenici, it passed the Senate later north on U.S. Highway 64 to the junction about what wilderness is. Why does it with Volcano Hill and Sierra Lucero, the The story of the Valle Vidal, and the being extensively developed, including that year. On December 12, 2006, with State Highways 552 and 150. At this matter? Why does it need protection? proposed Wilderness area will encompass campaign to protect it, is the story of a on Ted Turner’s Vermejo Park Ranch, President George Bush signed into Protection from whom? Many people over 130,000 acres of New Mexican land. community coming together to stand adjacent to the Valle Vidal. Then Vice law the Valle Vidal Protection Act. associate wilderness with Davy Crockett This area is a place of pristine beauty, and up for a beloved public wild land. It is President Dick Cheney’s Energy Task and the frontier, not knowing that UNM students want to help keep it that the all-too-familiar story of big industry Force was very aggressive in opening The alliances that were formed during there are places two hours away from way. Many members are excited not only trying to fast-track resource extraction on up new areas for development. the campaign to protect the Valle Vidal downtown Albuquerque where human about our student-led hikes but about public lands, devastate the environment, have laid the foundation for the future of by John Kavanaugh footsteps have always tread lightly. the opportunity to engage in wilderness and leave locals to clean it up and foot the public lands conservation and wilderness President, UNM Wilderness Alliance The student members of the UNM There has been a strong response from stewardship by adopting a trail in a bill. Except in this case, the locals won. protection in New Mexico and have Wilderness Alliance are learning students to speak out at school events Wilderness area. Working to take care paved the way for the current campaigns Education is the first step in any good about wilderness firsthand through about what wilderness means today and of an area not only shows that you care; The Valle Vidal unit of Carson National to protect Otero Mesa, the Rio Grande plan. Whether it’s a weekend hike or a student-initiated hikes, as well as why we love it. Chapter member Candace it makes you care more. If wilderness Forest is a 100,000-acre gem of vast, Gorge, and the Columbine-Hondo WSA. major life decision, first you go and do teaming up with NMWA on volunteer Miller explains her beliefs: “Wilderness belongs to anyone, it belongs to all of us. open-park meadows and lush, montane your homework. There are thousands projects and wilderness stewardship is something that is both within and forests that straddles the Taos/Colfax Because the Valle Vidal was protected, of students at the University of New activities. UNM students need to know without. It is lovely, sometimes scary, and Understanding the value of wilderness, County lines, in the heart of the citizens are able to take advantage Mexico, and they are there because they that there is more to New Mexico than always mysterious. Wilderness inspires whether biologically, aesthetically, or Sangre de Cristo Mountains. In the of the many recreational opportu- believe that education will make their the city streets of Albuquerque. They humbleness and encourages confidence. intrinsically, is an important part of late nineteenth century, the sprawling nities that it has to offer. The Valle intersection, go straight on State Highway lives better. Of course, education can take will play a part in shaping the future. As we become divorced from the wild, we any education. Today, however, this is Maxwell Land Grant covered more Vidal is a renowned trophy unit in 552 (U.S. Highway 64 turns left) through place outside the classroom. This is not Even if they only live in New Mexico for lose our sense of spiritual depth. But there not enough. Through increased human than a million acres of the northern northern New Mexico, and sportsmen Questa to the village of Costilla, then a recent revelation. Almost a thousand their four years of study, those are four is hope, because wilderness is resilient— impact on natural systems and through Sangre de Cristo Mountains of what is consider the Valle Vidal a once-in-a- turn east onto State Highway 196. This years ago, St. Clairvaux said, “You will years that they can spend connecting always ready to emerge.” When you find land-use change and fragmentation, known as the Valle Vidal. The area is lifetime trophy elk hunting area. highway will change to gravel past the find something greater in woods than to the natural world of the Southwest. something this wonderful, you want to wilderness has become a national home to one of the largest herds of elk The proposed area to be drilled in village of Amalia and become Forest Road in books. Trees and stones will teach Learning to cherish the communities of share it, and you have to start with the resource that must be cared for if it is to in the state of New Mexico. It has been Conservation groups have done lots of the Valle Vidal was the critical winter 1950. Travel on 1950 east to the junction you that which you can never learn from New Mexico, both natural and human, people around you. For us at UNM, that survive. This requires political action— called the Yellowstone of New Mexico. work in the area around restoration in habitat for New Mexico’s prize elk herd. with Forest Road 1900. Turn right, staying masters.” The education offered by UNM is a valuable education in itself. begins with our fellow classmates and like the Wilderness Act of 1964—to set key habitat areas as well as many riparian on Forest Road 1950 for ten miles to the is enhanced by the education available spreads outward to our community. aside pristine areas as places we choose In 2002, word got out that the El Paso areas on the McCrystal River. On July By the fall of 2002, a unique coalition junction with Forest Road 1910. Go one through New Mexico’s natural areas. The On campus we have a three-step plan There’s no substitute for actually being to protect. Citizens are crucial to this Corporation, a big oil and gas giant, was 1719, 2009, the New Mexico Wilderness formed that would redefine conservation mile up the hill on Forest Road 1910 to rechartered UNM Wilderness Alliance for our wilderness activism with the in the wild, and so the UNM chapter will process. Our elected officials work for seeking to lease approximately 40,000 in New Mexico. Ranchers and sportsmen Cimarron Campground, which has thirty- chapter joins other NMWA groups to offer NMWA: education, field work, and be joining Nathan Newcomer and other us. Once we educate ourselves about acres of the east half of the Valle Vidal stood side by side with environmentalists six campsites for tents and trailers, tables, our students the opportunity to broaden advocacy. With the energy of college NMWA members in a volunteer project at the value of wild places, we should from Carson National Forest for coal and recreationists to say no to coal bed fireplaces, toilets, and drinking water. their education by understanding the students, combined with help from the the Petaca Pinta Wilderness Study Area let our representatives know that we bed methane (CBM) development. methane development in the Valle Vidal. importance and value of the wilderness. NMWA and our community, we can over our spring break. This incredibly expect them to be protected. Students Contact Carson National Forest about are not apathetic about tomorrow. We Core members emerged from the New road conditions, camping, hunting, are going to have our voices heard. Mexico Wilderness Alliance, Amigos fishing, wood-gathering and other Bravos, the New Mexico Wildlife permits, and general information The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, as Federation, the Western Environmental about the areas you intend to visit. well as other environmental NGOs and Law Center, the New Mexico Environ- government officials, has been fighting for mental Law Center, the Sierra Club, the Carson National Forest, Questa Ranger years to protect the priceless wild places Valle Vidal Grazing Association, Trout District, P.O. Box 110, Questa, New SAVE of our state. UNM plays an important role Unlimited, the Boy Scouts of America, as Mexico 87556. Phone: 575-586-0520. as one of the great institutions of learning well as local outfitters, to lead the charge. in NM. The UNM student chapter of The U.S. Forest Service office in Questa NMWA believes that both have something All in all, more than 500 local business Alliance (NMWA) and the Albuquerque has excellent maps of the Valle Vidal unit to offer the other. Whether our students US! are talking to their classmates about and governments joined the coalition for Wildlife Federation (AWF) partnered of Carson National Forest. We recommend the Valle Vidal, sending a clear message to do a joint project around volunteer that all Valle Vidal visitors get a copy of wilderness, getting out into the field, or to elected officials that the Valle Vidal service work and youth education in this map and also ask the USFS about meeting with their political representa- was a national treasure, to be protected the McCrystal Campground Area. The current conditions in the Valle Vidal. tives, they are learning. We can all learn for future generations to enjoy. NMWA headed the youth activities for the from each other. The Wilderness Act weekend, which included groups from all Stuart Wilde is director and head 1964 defines wilderness as land that Nearly 60,000 letters of protest were over northern New Mexico. The groups wilderness guide for Wild Earth Llama “generally appears to have been affected CBM drilling had become popular in received by Carson National Forest, that participated in the event were the Adventures, based in Taos. www. Prairie primarily by the forces of nature, with the 1990s, after Halliburton patented a urging its protection from CBM drilling. NMWAWilderness Outdoor Connection LlamaAdventures.com, LlamaTrek@ the imprint of man’s work substantially technique called hydraulic fracturing, Governor Bill Richardson designated Leadership Group from Mora and Questa, aol.com, 1-800-758-5262. unnoticeable.” This is true, but it’s only which extracts and contaminates huge all the surface waters in the Valle Vidal the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps group half the story. We may not have left a volumes of water from the aquifer to Dog Pals strong mark on wilderness, but it can as Natural Outstanding Resource out of Taos, the northern New Mexico John Olivas is the Northern Director free up the methane and break up the Waters under the Clean Water Act. Sembrando Semilla Youth Group, the of the New Mexico Wilderness have a strong impact on any human coal seam. CBM drilling also creates a New Mexico Acequia Association, and the Alliance, www.nmwild.org, john@ community that learns to value it. spider-web industrial network of well In 2005, Congressman (now Senator) FIT in Taos Youth Leadership Group. In nmwild.org, 575-387-2665. PrairieDogPals.org rigs, connecting roads, and compressor 505-296-1937 Page 18 SPRING 2010 New Mexico WILD! Page 19 There are those who hold an anthro- our place in the universe. with uncanny respect for the language influences most keenly: pocentric rather than biocentric and intent of the Wilderness Act. view of wilderness and accordingly Today, the American public can be Being picked up by a gusty ridgetop wind suggest that accommodation for grateful that you have been vigilant and Today, you can be proud that, since the and pitched through the air like a rag doll; human use, rather than preserving stood shoulder to shoulder with the passage of the Wilderness Act in 1964, an untrammeled wilderness resource, dedicated group of wilderness advocates, which designated nine million acres Huddled on the lee of a rocky summit be the paramount consideration both within and outside the public land of Forest Service land as Wilderness, during a storm and feeling hypothermia when shaping wilderness policy. management agencies, to assure that the people of the United States have trying to rob me of my abilities; these challenges to wilderness are being respected your stewardship and Outside the agencies, there are those resolved in favor of the philosophy so repeatedly petitioned the Congress to Being carried along in the tumbling who, in their eagerness to see more well articulated in the Wilderness Act. entrust to you the care of more wilderness whiteness of an avalanche; public lands gain the protection of areas. Their efforts have placed more A Letter to wilderness, have agreed to legislative You are the stewards of America’s than 109 million acres in your care; Walking out of the snow and ice provisions that compromise the wilderness, and I want to speak of high mountains and again wilderness quality of the very lands to you of stewardship. You can be proud that the federal land smelling the green of the earth; My Friends in they wish to preserve as wilderness. management agencies have created the Webster’s dictionary defines a Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Lying in a sunny meadow and There are those who think of steward as: “one called to exercise Training Center to provide training in sensing that all the spirits there Wilderness wilderness as beautiful landscapes responsible care over the posses- wilderness philosophy and wilderness were filling my being with strengths or wildlife sanctuaries or recreation sions entrusted to him(her)”; “one stewardship for federal employees; unknown and unknowable; by George Duffy natural order prevails in our thinking. areas rather than as places that who manages another’s property.” integrate the enduring physical, You can be proud that the federal land Sensing the unseen presence of As my life comes to a close, I feel For, as Joseph Wood Krutch said, biological, and spiritual dynamics of I am extremely grateful to you for having management agencies have created the others in the landscape; compelled to express my gratitude “Wilderness is the permanent an untrammeled part of the earth. chosen to be stewards of these lands. the Aldo Leopold National Wilderness scholar of the history and evolution context of our being now, as in the past, to those of you who have journeyed home of the human spirit.” You have assumed a sacred trust, to be Research Center to conduct social and Feeling a timeless wisdom trying to of human ecology, has written: “The is wilderness—an environment lacking together with me in wilderness and biological research to support and order my thoughts to wholeness. discovery of the DNA by Watson and domestic plants and animals entirely, contributed to my understanding of Upon passage of the Wilderness Act, the improve wilderness stewardship; Crick was hailed for its implications and to which, one might say, our genes wilderness and subsequently of myself. Forest Service developed management For most of us, our connection with for human health and well being. Soon look expectantly for those circumstances policy and direction to administer this And you can be proud of your role in wilderness is commonly understood to it is expected we will be able to create which are their optimal ambience.” I hope you will indulge me a few moments new National Wilderness Preservation preserving that “enduring resource be primarily rooted in the cultural and the perfect banana or the perfect cow as I try to share with you what I have System—Forest Service Manual Section of wilderness” envisioned by the aesthetic responses that evolved from and clone it forever. We may soon be “The time is coming,” he said, “to under- learned on our journey together. 2320. It consisted of thirty-four pages. authors of the Wilderness Act. the experiences of early explorers and able to change the order of genes in our stand the wilderness in its significance, Today it is fifty-five pages and in the settlers in the new landscapes of America. chromosomes to make us taller, thinner, not as adjunct to the affluent traveler, The Wilderness Act of 1964 marked process of being revised in the WO. As you enter another year of wilderness stronger—maybe even less maladapted to an educated, esthetic, appreciative a turning point in America’s attitude stewardship, please be as caring of We have recently discovered, to our current circumstances.” class, or to thinking of nature as a Noah’s toward wild places. It was an acknowl- When you hold that Forest Service yourselves as you are for wilderness. however, that the underlying basis ark in all of its forms, but as the social edgment that wild places were not only Manual Section 2320 in your hands, for our responses to wilderness But more important, the mapping and ecological mold of humanity itself, coming under the plow and the paving you hold a precious symbol of the Take the time to open yourselves fully to goes deeper—much deeper. of the human genome confirmed which is fundamental to our species.” machines, but that their loss by such Forest Service’s commitment to the dynamics of wild landscapes and their that, genetically, we are still means was accelerating and would America’s wilderness—one that is being effects on your mind, body, and spirit. Going to the wilderness is going home. wild, Pleistocene creatures. To understand the significance of soon lead to a society impoverished challenged by all manner of argument. Share your passions with your colleagues wilderness, we must take the time by the absence of the fundamental and the earth. Become fully alive. Anthropologists and others have been Finally, an answer as to why we to separate culture from biology, relationship between humans and Within the agency, there are those suggesting for a long time that we are feel so at home in wilderness. learning from instinct, and to search the lands that defined them. who are impatient with the idea of the These days you share with wildness still the wild creatures we were in the deep within for those ancient gifts minimum tool and craft arguments are gifts you will treasure forever. Pleistocene. We haven’t changed. Only Shepard declared that: “The home of that truly inform our humanness. The language of the Act is like that of to justify the use of chain saws, trail our circumstances have changed. our wildness is both etymologically and few other laws we have enacted. It reads machines, jackhammers, helicopters, My fondest memories are of biologically wilderness. Although we may I have but one request of you. more like poetry than law and evokes and other expedients for the sake those times when I felt nature’s Paul Shepard, perhaps the most insightful define ourselves in terms of culture and an emotional response that invites of convenience or economy. language and so on, it is evident that the Go. Find yourself in the introspection and the vision of a future The authors of the Wilderness executed with reverence, humility, and expressive of our concern for restraint There are those who are wedded to the Act held no such views. a profound sense of responsibility. and accommodation of other life forms. idea of mitigating the challenges of Join New Mexico Wilderness Alliance Today! You’ll not only help wilderness by constructing improve- They were keenly aware that there were You are not engaged in a business or preserve New Mexico’s Wild Places for your own enjoyment… but This, in contrast to a precise, formulaic ments, identifying and removing but few remnants of the landscapes delivering a product or providing a you’ll help ensure that future generations may enjoy them too. law, was the genius of the Act’s hazards, writing detailed guidebooks, that had shaped the American service or producing a commodity. principal author, Howard Zahnizer. and publishing detailed maps. character, and they wanted to ensure YES! I want to be a member of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance!!! My contribution will go towards the that these were preserved in the You are engaged in no less than continued protection and wilderness designation of New Mexico’s natural heritage. He fixed the concept of wilderness in There are those who feel that the condition of wildness that confronted preserving the nation’s precious our minds rather than just in law or on existing definition of wilderness may and influenced our early pioneers. remaining repositories of wildness a piece of real estate—and compelled be inappropriate to an evolving social and guarding the permanent us to look for and understand the conscience rooted in technology, Mail your They knew that wilderness had to remain home of our human spirit. $25 – Individual $100 – Contributing Other $______Tax Deductible characteristics of wilderness in our urbanization, and speed, and that a point of reference in both our natural $30 – Family $500 – Lifetime  THIS IS A GIFT MEMBERSHIP FROM ______Doñations to: lives as well as in our landscapes. management must be modified to and cultural histories, an enduring Over the years, I have watched as $50 – Supporting $10 – Student/Senior reflect those changing social values. benchmark for our journey through time the growth and complexity of the New Mexico The Wilderness Act will challenge and and space, unchanged by human inter- National Wilderness Preservation Wilderness Alliance enrich scholars, legal experts, wilderness There are those who feel that human vention and subject only to natural forces. System have presented you with Name ______Phone______PO Box 25464 managers, and wilderness advocates intervention in natural processes new stewardship challenges. Albuquerque, NM for as long as there is wilderness. within wilderness is necessary They knew that wilderness was an Street ______E-mail______87125-0464 when those processes don’t fit their indispensable part of our humanness You have met those challenges with care We can only hope that the spirit that perceptions of what is natural. and was critical to our understanding and deliberation and resolved them Questions? created this awareness of our place in the City, State, Zip ______505/843-8696

Page 20 SPRING 2010 New Mexico WILD! Page 21 A big THANK YOU! to everyone who made the wilderness. Be at home. we can almost pinpoint the source and distance of a sound—and identify it. Let your genes once again find expression in the world that defined them. The awkwardness we first felt when moving over broken ground has been Rejoice in your humanness. replaced by a fluid economical rhythm of a HUGE success! movement that seems almost effortless. You are a genetic library of gifts informed by centuries of life in wilderness. Our spine flexes, gathering and releasing energy; our pelvis tilts; Gifts from the experiences of we keenly feel our center of gravity, antecedent creatures—ichthyian, and we are again those confident, reptilian, and mammalian—that primal animals on the landscape. still lie in your brainstem. We sense our relationships with the Gifts from the struggles of the naked other creatures with whom we share ape with neither fang nor claw who these landscapes, relationships that was able, not only to survive, but reaffirm our humble role as members MICHAEL BERMAN to adapt and flourish—simply and of the vast community of life. landscape PHOTOGRAPHER elegantly—in wild landscapes. These are not new skills learned; When we first walk into wilderness, we they are ancient abilities recalled— feel like alien creatures, intruding into pulled from the shelves of that genetic CHARLES BOWDEN the unknown, but if we stay a while, library deep within our being. AUThOR usually about a week, and pay attention to bosque school ourselves, those gifts become apparent. As we peer into campfire flames, albuquerque the comfort of thousands of fires, in AND SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE FABULOUS We become aware that our eyes see thousands of caves, over thousands better: we can pick things out in the of years, warms us from the inside NMWA VOLUNTEERS! landscape more keenly; we can measure as well from the outside. distance more accurately; and shape, color, and contrast are vividly apparent. The diminuendo of the canyon wren cunning and demand our respect. and the raucous scolding of the This is the wildness in our genes, Our noses discriminate and identify Stellar’s jay invite our hearts to sing. The vastness of the landscape found manifest in a simple, bipedal the odors on the wind: the smell of a humbles and fixes us in scale. hominid, surrounded by a peace that bighorn is a lot different than that of The warmth of the sun and the transcends time, and in a place we a bear; there is a marsh upwind. snap of the cold affirm that we As we lie on the earth in the shall always need—wilderness. are alive, and vulnerable. evening, the march of Orion across The sounds we heard on our first day the heavens fixes us in time. Thank you. came from a general direction, but The mountains, the deserts, the now our binaural senses are so keen storms, and the rivers challenge our We are still those Pleistocene creatures— George Duffy, Wilderness Ranger The at home and full of the wonder of being. (retired), Mountainair, New Mexico

Senator Jeff Bingaman Senator Tom Udall Harry Teague, Congressional District 2 Web Site: bingaman.senate.gov Web Site: tomudall.senate.gov Room: 1007 Longworth House Office Building 2010 email: [email protected] E-mail: Contact Via ‘Web Form.’ Washington, DC 20515 703 Hart Senate Office Building Washington Office: Phone: (202) 225-2365 Washington Office: Phone: (202) 224-6621 Fax: (202) 225-9599 Washington, D.C. 20510 Fax: (202) 228-3261 Wild Phone: (202) 224-5521 Room: B40D Dirksen Building Martin Heinrich, Congressional District 1 Fax: (202) 224-2852 Washington, DC 20510 Room: 1505 Longworth House Office Building Albuquerque Albuquerque Washington, DC 20515 505-346-6601 Phone: (505) 346-6791 Phone: (202) 225-6316 625 Silver Ave. SW, Suite 130 Fax: (505) 346-6720 Fax: (202) 225-4975 Guide Albuquerque, NM 87102 201 3rd Street, NW, #710 Main District Office: Las Cruces Albuquerque, NM 87102 20 First Plaza, Suite 603 Phone: (575) 523-6561 Las Cruces Albuquerque, NM 87102 Loretto Town Centre, Suite 148 Phone: (505) 526-5475 Phone: (505) 346-6781 505 South Main Street Fax: (505) 523-6589 Fax: (505) 346-6723 Las Cruces, NM 88001 505 South Main Street, Suite 118 YOU GET Las Vegas Las Cruces, NM 88001 Ben Ray Lujan, Congressional District 3 Phone: (505) 454-8824 Roswell Room: 502 Cannon House Office Building —HIKES—LORE— 118 Bridge Street, PO Box 1977 Phone: (505) 623-6170 Washington, DC 20515 Las Vegas, NM 87701 Fax: (505) 625-2547 Phone: (202) 225-6190 Roswell 140 Federal Building Fax: (202) 226-1331 RECIPES—TIPS—MORE! Phone: (575) 622-7113 Roswell, NM 88201 Main District Office: 200 East Fourth Street, Suite 300 Santa Fe 811 St. Michaels Drive, Suite 104 All for just $9.95! Roswell, NM 88201 Phone: (505) 988-6511 Santa Fe, NM 87505 Santa Fe Fax: (505) 988-6514 Phone: (505) 984-8950 Available by calling 505-843-8696. You can also buy a copy at REI in CONGRESSIONAL CONTACTS CONGRESSIONAL Phone: (505) 988-6647 120 South Federal Place, #302 Fax: (505) 986-5047 both Albuquerque and Santa Fe; at any La Mantanita Co-op; at Carlsbad 119 East Marcy, Suite 101 Santa Fe, NM 87501 Caverns Bookstore, Bowlin’s Mesilla Book Center in Las Cruces, Tome on Santa Fe, NM 87501 the Range in Las Vegas; and Moby Dickens in Taos, and on Amazon.com.

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Chaco Canyon photos by Joe Adair Page 24 SPRING 2010