www.nmwild.org

NEW MEXICO CONGRESSMAN TOM UDALL FIGHTING THE G O O D F I G H T

by Stephen Capra hen it comes to conservation, wilderness and the protection of W wildlands in America, few fami- lies have the same pedigree as the name Udall. Here in New Mexico Congressman Tom Udall is the latest in the Udall family to fi ght hard for the protection of wildlands in the West. His Father, Stewart Udall was Secretary of Interior during the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations. His uncle Mo Udall is fondly remembered for his efforts on national wilderness issues and his work on the monumental Alaska Lands Act. And today, during what many people consider a conservation crisis under the Bush Administration, few Congressmen are working harder and voting consistently for the protection of our National Forests and our public lands than our own New Mexico Congressman Tom Udall. Even before being elected to Congress, Udall worked diligently as Attorney Gen- eral of New Mexico to slow sprawl and enact tough new measures for develop- ers. Land use and subdivisions at that time had been loosely regulated in New Mexico, as in many parts of the West. A series of attempts in the early 1990’s to amend New Mexico’s subdivision laws failed. Interest groups such as the New Mexico Homebuilders Association and the New Mexico Association of Realtors had long been a powerful force in the state. But in 1995, the New Mexico State Legislature passed a sweeping set of amendments to the State’s subdivision laws. The genesis of this legislation came from the efforts of then Attorney General Tom Udall. In1994 he had begun writing amendments to Congressman these laws, giving counties more authority Tom Udall to regulate development in their unincor- see UDALL, pg. 10 s t e p h e n c a p r a • e x e c u t i v e d i r e c t o r

Notes from the Executive Director by Stephen Capra right to stop oil and gas development. If you are looking for a dull day, My answer to this small group continues to small challenges or some time to relax, please do be the same. Yes, I drive a car, but I (and many not consider becoming the Executive Director of a people like myself) make a conscience effort to conservation group!! With the Bush-Cheney team protect our environment, not destroy it. I enjoy in full swing our efforts to protect wild places con- walking and riding a bike to work on occasion. I tinue at an incredible clip. It seems at times that choose a car that is extremely fuel-effi cient. I do no matter our progress, the forces of evil continue heat my home with gas, but I purchased a fl ash their relentless assault. The current polarization of water heater to cut my consumption and signed our country really comes into focus when I read up for PNM’s wind energy program. The blinds hate mail from people who let me know that they on my windows are energy effi cient and I have are writing letters in support of drilling because re-insulated my roof and fl ooring to conserve of our television commercials and the press sur- heat. My house is furnished with appliances that rounding our efforts to protect public lands. Their are energy-effi cient and also conserve water. Am reasoning: make sure our wild public lands are I a saint? Of course not, but I am trying to do my opened to drilling, not because we need the oil or because America could become energy independent, but because they hate organizations like ours. Let me try to get this straight, they hate groups that try to pro- tect public lands for future gen- erations; they hate groups that try to protect our watersheds; they hate groups that try to pro- tect wildlife; they hate groups that work with ranchers to keep oil development from destroy- ing a way of life. They hate, they hate, they hate. I think the real answer is that many people simply hate change, or at least the perception of it. It’s this small group who rage that we “environmentalists” drive cars, use plastic, heat our homes with gas etc. and thus have no Attention Business Owners: 4 Bosque del Apache Wilderness Areas 5 Hiking in the Organ Mountains Advertise with us 6 Fighting For Our Grassland and For Our Future 7 Ojito Wilderness Act 7 Planning Process Begins for BLM lands The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is looking for a few choice advertisers 8 Your Voice Made a Difference to help us offset the cost of production 8 Incompatibility of this newsletter. You’ll reach 50,000 9 Protect Our Public Lands Rally readers statewide that care about New 10-11 Tom Udall: Fighting for New Mexico Mexico the same way you do and help 12 Businesses for Wilderness us protect our vanishing wildlands. 13 Get Involved 14 Hope for Tijeras Canyon Call Tripp Killin at 505-843-8696 x111 today for more information. new mexico 15 Hike 16 Letters to NMWA 17 Got a Spare Weekend? WILD! 18 Young Voices You CAN make a difference! SPRING 2005 19 Volunteer Profi le: Suzi and Dave Baltzer New Mexico WILD! Page 3 sible 1,200 mile pipeline, then placing it on super tankers that also cannot be defended (or even clearly piloted, Main Offi ce remember the 505/843-8696 • fax 505/843-8697 [email protected] • www.nmwild.org Exxon Valdez), P.O. Box 25464 has more merit Albuquerque, NM 87125 and cost effi - Las Cruces Field Offi ce 275 N. Downtown Mall ciency to this Las Cruces, NM 88001 moneyed 505/527-9962 group than solar panels, Mission Statement The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is fuel-effi cient dedicated to the protection, restoration, and autos or wind continued enjoyment of New Mexico’s wild turbines. But lands and Wilderness areas. for those who NMWA Staff Las Cruces Offi ce fear change, the Alberto Zavala, Grassroots Organizer Bush-Cheney Albuquerque Offi ce prescription for Tisha Broska, Membership Coordinator Stephen Capra, Executive Director energy develop- Tripp Killin, Development Coordinator ment remains Nathan Newcomer, Grassroots Organizer Roxanne Pacheco, Finance Manager their tonic. Michael Scialdone, Director of Wilderness Protection So as the Trisha London, Membership & Grassroots Assistant part to conserve energy and decrease panies are distancing themselves debate moves my dependence on oil and gas. from this proposal, and geologists forward look out for groups, suppos- Board of Directors are wary of how much oil may be edly non-profi ts, designed to fi ght Wes Leonard, El Paso, TX (Chair) for “common sense energy devel- Bob Howard, Santa Fe, NM (V.Chair) But rather than encourage con- there. But what we do know is that Tom Mouck, Albuquerque, NM (Treasurer) servation and create incentives for opment”. They are funded by the Kathy Love, Albuquerque, NM (Secretary) perhaps unlike any other place in Pam Eaton, Denver, CO making America truly energy inde- America it holds a real slice of Amer- oil and gas industry with the intent Dave Foreman, Albuquerque, NM pendent, we have an Administration to disrupt our efforts. Expect energy Todd Hotchkiss, Albuquerque, NM ica’s past. In this landscape one can Greg Kroll, El Rito, NM that refuses to give us real energy watch caribou crossing streams for prices to continue to rise as a pres- Carlos Provencio, Bayard, NM sure point for pushing their agenda. Melissa Savage, Santa Fe, NM options or a plan for making Amer- hours or even days, while grizzlies Todd Schulke, Silver City, NM ica energy secure. They, and indus- stand watch over a circling herd Expect little oversight or congres- William Stone, Albuquerque, NM sional investigation, despite a real Bob Tafanelli, Las Cruces, NM try lobbyists, continue to push an of musk oxen. It is a place where Rick Wiedenmann, Carlsbad, NM energy policy with only bad options: snowy owls share space with polar public outcry. Expect more misinfor- Newsletter Staff oil and gas, nuclear, more coal and mation and claims of great discover- Tisha Broska, Managing Editor bears, where wolves roam freely Joe Adair, Design Editor promises of real alternatives some- and whales swim just offshore. It’s ies of oil under our public lands. And where in the distant future. This is a landscape where silence is king, the key from their perspective will The Artists not a policy, but rather a gift to an a place where wildlife has room to be to personally attack those who Cover photo by S. Capra, P2 photo by R. Watt, P3 oppose them, while avoiding debate polar bear watercolor by L. Williams, P3 pronghorn industry without conscience. Mean- roam; where one’s imagination and photo by F. Parrish, P4 photo by J. Willis, P5 photo while our wildest public lands are on spirit have a chance to blossom. This on the issues. by K. Stinnett, P6 S. Capra, P7 photo by M. Heinrich, the auction block, including several P8 photo by M. Scialdone, P9 R. Watt, P10-11 is land that native people consider That’s where you come in. Speak- photos by S. Capra, P12 photo by R. Watt and here in New Mexico. artwork by L. Williams, P14 photo by D. MacCarter- sacred, but also a place where greed ing out, showing the Otero Mesa NMG&F, P18 photos by N. Small, P19 photo by S. In Alaska, the Arctic National Wild- may yet win out. It’s not just uncon- DVD, calling your Senators, thank- Baltzer, P20 photo by S. Capra. life Refuge, perhaps America’s wild- scionable; it’s a plain disgrace. But ing the Governor, and making sure est landscape is poised for devel- it’s part of the current energy policy that the voice of reason prevails over Wilderness opment by the Bush-Cheney team. being promoted. The concept that those whose ideology collides with The Wilderness Act of 1964 estab- This, despite the fact that oil com- bringing energy south on an indefen- common sense. Its not change we lished the National Wilderness seek, it is merely sanity. Demand the Preservation System to preserve the last remaining wild lands in truth from our representatives when America. The Wilderness Act, as it comes to energy development on federal policy, secures “an endur- our public lands and hold them to it. ing resource of wilderness” for the people. Wilderness is defi ned Will we allow places like the Arctic as an area that has primarily been Refuge and Otero Mesa to be drilled affected by the forces of nature for a few days or weeks worth of oil, with the imprint of humans substantially unnoticeable. It or will we prevail despite the cur- is an area that offers outstand- rent political climate? Protecting our ing opportunity for solitude or a public lands has historically been, primitive or unconfi ned type of and should remain, a non-partisan recreation, and an area that con- issue. Future generations will take tains ecological, geological, or other features of scientifi c, educa- note of our actions and, like those tional, scenic, or historical value. before us, we are charged with the responsibility to protect the earth we have inherited. We can prevail, and Please visit us at we must. nmWILD.org

New Mexico WILD! Page 3 d i s c o v e r N ewMexico

Bosque del Apache Wilderness Areas by Michael Scialdone Most people from New Mexico of roads, power lines, and pipe- and around the US know of Bosque lines. While many other land man- del Apache (Bosque, for short) as agement agencies were (and unfor- a premier spot for bird watching tunately still are) stuck in a mode of as discussed in our article on page Wilderness only being suitable for 17. It is likely that very few know recreation (human-centered), Dick that out of the Bosque’s 57,000 and many others in the Fish and acres, over 30,000 acres are per- Wildlife Service at the time saw Wil- manently protected as part of the derness in protective terms (eco- National Wilderness Preservation centered). There are many ways System. There are three sepa- to protect the land, but none work rate units – Chupadera Mountains better than designated Wilderness. (5,282 acres), Indian Wells (5,140 Dick’s legacy is a Refuge that will acres), and Little San Pascual Moun- forever be undeveloped desert habi- tain (19,760 acres). tat to complement its wetland oasis.

Part of the obscurity of these three Next time you are visiting Bosque areas is that they do not fi t the clas- del Apache and you feel like getting sic mold of Wilderness. No alpine off the beaten path, try one of the going through the Wilderness makes peaks jutting above timberline, no three Wilderness areas for some- a nice stop when traveling on I-25. river traversing a deep canyon. thing different. Chupadera Moun- Fast Little San Pascual Mountain on the tains can be accessed via a trail- Little San Pascual Mountain is east side of the Bosque and Chu- head inside the Bosque just south of more of an adventure. About 8 FACTS padera Mountain on the west side where Hwy 1 crosses the railroad. miles east of San Antonio, a main rise 1,025 feet and 1,773 feet from The trail winds 5 miles up to the dirt road leads south from Hwy the Rio Grande respectively, enough named feature of Chupadera Moun- 380, along the western boundary of Bosque del Apache topography to get them noticed, tain itself. This will be NMWA’s Sat- White Sands Missile Range. Follow National Wildlife Refuge but understated in Rocky Moun- urday hike for March 12th (see this road as it turns west around tain terms. These areas offer seren- page 15 for details). Taking the dirt Sand Mountain and then continues Size: 57,000 acres ity and subtle desert grandeur with road going west from the San Anto- south again at a large windmill. On many archeological and geological nio exit will also provide access to the west side of this windmill is a Established in 1939 sites to explore and ponder. the Chupadera Mountains (skip the good place to park. Then follow the Crane count in 1939 – 17(!) fi rst main-road offshoot and con- dirt track that goes across the Ante- On January 3, 1975, Congress Today – 17,000 along with tinue under the power line, heading lope Wilderness Study Area adja- designated the Wilderness areas 30,000 snow geese, 20,000 west). Until the dirt road drops into cent to the Bosque and Wilderness now found in the Bosque along with ducks (14 species), endan- a tight canyon, most of the lands in boundary. Cross the fence and pick other refuges around the country. gered whooping cranes, the area are public. In fact, during your path toward the mountain. Dick Rigby was Refuge Manager at road runners, and over 300 NMWA’s on-the-ground inventory of Though only a 700 foot rise from the time and is credited with push- other avian species. this area, we identifi ed over 8,000 here, Little San Pascual is the only ing the Wilderness idea forward as acres of BLM lands that would be a thing protruding from the immense the best way to protect the Bosque Other critters: mule deer, suitable addition to the Chupadera Jornada del Muerto for many miles from the continuing encroachment Mountains Wilderness. porcupines, rattlesnakes, and the view is simply stunning. coyotes, elk in migration. Indian Wells Recently, a hardy group of NMWA is truly the hikers visited this Wilderness and Wilderness Areas: best of these 3 were surprised to discover elk tracks Chupadera Mountains areas because and scat in the sandy desert of this (5,282 acres), Indian Wells it has no sig- area and through the deep arroyo (5,140 acres), and Little San nifi cant topo- they hiked back. However, the best Pascual Mountain (19,760 graphical fea- surprise for the group was a nice acres). tures. About display of petroglyphs found on the a mile south east side of Little San Pascual. Wilderness Designations: January 3, 1975 of the Bosque Thanks to a few forward-think- headquarters, ing souls in 1975, this type of expe- Best seasons: a pleasant 2.5- rience will always be part of the fall through spring mile nature Bosque. trail loop hike

Page 4 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 5 now protected for the public to east along the old abandoned jeep enjoy. trail. In a short distance, the trail splits as it approaches the arroyo The trailhead is just a short drive in Bar Canyon. Turn to the south- from Las Cruces and there is no fee east here and follow the trail as for the day use area. From the Uni- it heads toward the prominent gettingout versity exit #1 on Interstate 25 in landmark of Chimney Rock. In Las Cruces, head northeast on Uni- about a half-mile, you will begin versity Avenue (which eventually to approach the Fort Bliss Military there turns into Dripping Springs Road). Boundary. Although the old road In 4.8 miles, turn right onto Sole- you are hiking on continues to the dad Canyon Road and head south. southeast, turn left onto the trail A New Hiking Opportunity In another three-quarters of a mile, and head north toward the north- turn left at the fi re station and head ern fork of Bar Canyon. In about in the Organ Mountains east (which is still Soledad Canyon three-quarters of a mile, the trail Road). The intersects another old road in Bar pavement road Canyon. Turn right onto the old turns to gravel roadway and head northeast. In a four miles from short distance, the loop trail leaves the fi re station, the old road and heads back to the but is main- west. tained for low clearance vehi- At this point, you can continue cles. Four and a on the road to the northeast a short half miles east of distance and explore the ruins of the fi re station, an historic rock homestead. From the road ends at the historic ruins in the upper end the trailhead. of Bar Canyon, head back down the old road a short distance to the This is basi- trail junction and turn right onto the cally a loop hike trail and head to the west. This trail and can be hiked loops out to the west and south- in either direc- west, then back to the east where it tion. The trail intersects the old road once again. is well marked Turn right here and follow the trail and easy to back about three-quarters of a mile follow. From to the southwest and the parking the parking area, area at the trailhead. go through the gate and hike

he BLM recently developed a great new trail in the heart of the Organ Moun- Ttains. It is a relatively easy 3-mile loop hike into Bar Canyon, which is also called Soledad Canyon. Until recently, this was part of a Excerpted from private ranch, but BLM was “Day Hikes and Nature Walks in the able to acquire the parcel Las Cruces – El Paso Area” through a land exchange by Greg Magee and this scenic canyon is

Page 4 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 5 OTERO MESA campaign updates

Fighting For Our Grassland –and For Our Future

by Stephen Capra lands (or 1,406,625 acres) remain same stipulation, which does not and its many good employees are open to leasing without any condi- specifi cally mention the number of under tremendous pressure from ith the release of the tions on surface use or protective wells. the Bush-Cheney Administration Bureau of Land Man- stipulations. to quickly open Otero Mesa to full- agement’s Record of • The BLM will not consider scale oil and gas development. Decision (ROD), many • There is no defi nitive limit of geophysical/seismic activities to be Wpeople have called or written to say 1,589 acres of surface disturbance. “surface disturbing” even though Our coalition will continue to how disappointed they are and to That fi gure comes from the “rea- they include the use of heavy trucks fi ght, working with Governor Rich- express complete frustration with sonable foreseeable development” and blasting. ardson, using public pressure, and the Bush Administration’s 19th cen- scenario and is not a strict limit. the courts. We will fi ght not only to tury energy policies. People con- • The plan provides that the agency stop oil and gas development, but tinue to wonder how this Admin- • There is no information in the “may” perform more National Envi- also to permanently protect Otero istration can ignore the wishes of plan on where these 1,589 acres of ronmental Policy Act analysis and Mesa as a National Conservation the people of New Mexico and our surface disturbance will be located, “may” stop or delay oil and gas Area. Local Otero Mesa ranchers Governor, Bill Richardson. It has so they can be spread over the development while it performs the have raised their concerns once been heartening to hear from so entire 2 million acre planning area analysis. But there is no guarantee again, and they are working with many of you, and it is very impor- and without a carefully identifi ed on performing the analysis or stop- us to stop the destruction of Amer- tant for people to understand clearly strategy for placement, consolida- ping the development either during ica’s wildest grassland. Many of that this fi ght is far from over! tion, timing or any other restric- the analysis or after it is performed. you have seen our recent television tions. commercial and, judging by the The fi rst obstacle we faced upon • There remains no way to protect • There is no clear limit of “5% dis- the crucial groundwater beneath level of love and hate mail we have the release of the ROD was getting received, it is having an impact! our facts out to the general public. turbance” on the grasslands. Nor Otero Mesa. Despite the fact that The BLM quickly got their message does the plan provide any detail it remains the largest remaining The most exciting aspect of this out in the press, while we were as to how the “5% disturbance” in source of fresh drinking water in campaign has been using the new reviewing the Decision and prepar- the grasslands will be applied. This the state, a few days of oil or gas is Otero Mesa DVD as an outreach ing our comments. The net result means that a “spider web” of devel- still considered the more important tool. This DVD has been mailed to was that they were able to enjoy an opment activities (and the resulting resource. grassland organizations across the advantage when it came to “mes- habitat fragmentation) could still country, and to people just like you occur. Finally, the BLM will not rely on saging”. But reading through their on-site inspections to monitor drill- who have contacted us. Just last decision (one they have described • There is no defi nitive limit of 141 ing activities. Instead they plan on week, over 500 people from out- as having “the toughest environ- exploratory or 84 producing wells. using Otero Mesa as a pilot pro- of-state signed up to protect Otero mental standards ever for their These numbers again come from gram for satellites to monitor activ- Mesa via our website. These are agency”) one is again reminded the “reasonable foreseeable devel- ities from space, even though such people living in Maryland, North how the Bush Administration uses opment” scenario, and the poten- technology has never been proven. Carolina, Iowa, Wisconsin, Florida, language rather than real actions tial limitations are found in the and even Maine. The campaign is to trick the American public. This In the end it seems clear the BLM attracting people from all over the Record of Decision’s “environmen- country and is helping in our efforts tally sound drilling” comments to get over 250,000 letters to Presi- read much like “Clear Skies” or dent Bush. If you have not seen the “Healthy Forests” legislation: they DVD, please call or e-mail us. This sound good, but in reality threaten is a crucial tool for getting people the very lands or skies they are engaged on the issue! designed to protect. e have only just begun the Reviewing the BLM’s Record of fi ght to protect this incredi- Decision on Otero Mesa reveals W ble grassland. We will con- some of the following facts: tinue to put pressure on our Con- gressional delegation and speak • The plan opens 95% of the entire out for protection. We simply must planning area, including Otero stop the Bush-Cheney plans for Mesa and the Nutt grasslands, to destroying our public lands for the oil and gas leasing. This fi gure is short-term gains of a handful of oil not affected by the purported limits and gas companies. It’s a fi ght that and permits adjustments of these requires our best and shows no limits. In the plan over 69% of the signs of letting up.

Page 6 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 7 Ojito Wilderness Act of 2005 Gets Early Start in DC

by Martin Heinrich that we are introducing it early this islation is locally developed and Our efforts to secure wilderness year shows that we are commit- locally supported, and we plan but died in the House. With this designation for the Ojito area are ted to getting this bill to the presi- to aggressively move it forward hurdle cleared, we expect the mea- off to a swift and encouraging start. dent’s desk as soon as possible,” again.” Rep. Udall said , “The bill sure to move quickly to the Senate The 109th Congress has just begun while Senator Domenici stated “I’m will be sent to the House Resources fl oor and then on to the House. pleased to once again co-sponsor Committee, on which I serve, and to meet, but already Senators Bin- Please call our delegation mem- gaman and Domenici and Repre- this bill and I pledge my support I will petition Chairman Pombo to for quick passage in the Senate.” expedite consideration of this pro- bers to thank them for their tire- sentatives Wilson and Udall, have less advocacy in support of Ojito introduced the Ojito Wilderness Comments on the House side were posal. Thanks to the hard work of equally heartening. Rep. Wilson so many New Mexicans, this bill and ask them to continue to press Act of 2005. In their joint press for expedited action in both the release Senator Bingaman said “… was quoted as saying, “This leg- is now closer than ever to becom- ing law.” House and Senate. After years of hard work by conservationists, the Such strong support business community, the Pueblo of early in the session bodes Zia and many others, we are closer well for quick action and than ever to seeing the Ojito Wilder- on Wednesday, Febru- ness become a reality. You’ve been ary 9, the Senate Energy a critical part of that effort, so don’t and Natural Resources let up now. Your calls will help us Committee unanimously get Ojito over the fi nish line once recommended the bill and for all. for consideration by the whole Senate. This is actually the fi rst time Ojito Representative Udall has successfully negoti- 202-225-6190 ated the Senate commit- Representative Wilson tee process as it never 202-225-6316 offi cially emerged from committee in 2004, Senator Domenici despite being included in a 202-224-6621 last minute lands measure Senator Bingaman which passed the Senate, 202-224-5521

Planning Process Begins for 3,000,000 Acres of Public Land

to three years. However, the fi rst of public lands within this three to [email protected]. You The Bureau opportunity for the public to com- county area indicates there are can also view BLM’s website at of Land Management (BLM) Las ment is during the 60-day scoping 961,657 acres of public land that www.nm.blm.gov/lcfo/tri_county/ Cruces Field Offi ce has begun pre- period, which has already begun. qualifi es for wilderness designa- tricounty.html. In addition, the paring a resource management These preliminary comments must tion. In other words, there is a lot BLM will host four public house plan (RMP) revision for Sierra and be received by BLM by March 28, of public land out there that needs scoping meetings from 6:30 to 8: Otero Counties and a RMP amend- 2005. Preliminary comments will your voice. We hope you will 30 PM in March. These meetings ment for Doña Ana County, as well be used to guide the direction of encourage BLM to protect those will begin with a brief presentation as an associated environmental the planning process and are an lands identifi ed by NMWA’s inven- by BLM, after which the public can impact statement (EIS) to address important way to get conservation tory until such time that Congress review informational displays and the BLM’s management of public measures introduced into the RMP. can designate these lands offi cially discuss the RMP and EIS with BLM land in these three counties. Com- A “draft RMP and EIS” will then be as Wilderness. representatives. bined these efforts are being called released, likely sometime in 2006. the “TriCounty RMPs and EIS.” The public will then have a 90-day For more information regarding * March 15, 2005 – Las Cruces review period, during which time the planning process, please con- Field Offi ce, 1800 Marquess, Las The purpose of the RMP is to you can again comment on the tact Tom Phillips at the BLM Las Cruces, NM provide a framework for manag- draft plans. Cruces Field Offi ce, 1800 Mar- * March 16, 2005 – Otero County ing public land and for allocating quess, Las Cruces, NM 88005; Courthouse, 1000 New York Ave., resources over a period of 15-20 The BLM manages almost 3 mil- 505-525-4377; 505-525-4412 Alamogordo, NM years. This process is an impor- lion acres of public land in Sierra, (fax). In addition, recorded infor- tant opportunity for you, the owner Otero, and Doña Ana Counties. mation regarding the project can * March 22, 2005 – Civic Center, of our public lands, to have a say in Of this amount, less than 10% be heard by calling the informa- 400 W. 4th St., TorC, NM their management. Comments on (or 271,973 acres) are currently tion line at 877-877-0918. You * March 23, 2005 – Women’s Inter- the TriCounty RMPs and EIS will be under interim wilderness manage- can also leave a message at this cultural Center, 303 Lincoln St., accepted throughout the planning ment (i.e. Wilderness Study Areas). number. To be added to the proj- Anthony, NM process, which is likely to take up However NMWA’s recent inventory ect mailing list, send an e-mail

Page 6 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 7 found that organized off- road vehicle events (involv- ing more than 50 vehicles) were illegally conducted without a permit. These events had spurred a tre- mendous increase in vehi- cle use within the Roble- dos WSA, which in turn had caused further damage, in violation of BLM’s duty to protect WSA’s. After an agency investiga- with strong citizen response, Com- tion, BLM in early 1998, closed a mission members decided against number of existing vehicle trails to pursuing the lawsuit. The public’s motor vehicles in order to prevent voice turned the tide against those further resource degradation and threatening our Robledo Moun- protect the values of the Robledo tains. The Commissioner’s capac- Mountains WSA. ORV groups ity to admit a mistake and rescind sued and BLM stood it’s ground. their vote demonstrates integrity NMWA joined on behalf of BLM and a willingness to do the right Your Voice Made a Difference for and helped succeed in defending thing. BLM’s protective actions. the Robledo Mountains WSA! It is common for offi cials to In November 2004, months after be unfamiliar with the values losing in court, two off-road groups that defi ne wilderness. Not so convinced 3 of 5 Doña Ana County common are instances where deci- by Trisha London Commissioners to pursue another sion makers recognize and vali- lawsuit against the BLM to allow date the wilderness philosophy is extremely important for Mountains as the Robledo Moun- the groups more access in the over extremely vocal interests who people to get involved with tains Wilderness Study Area (WSA). Robledo Mountains WSA. County IT are often favored in public lands policies that affect our community’s The designation requires BLM Commissioners initially voted 3 decisions. Clearly, the Doña Ana quality of life. This past Novem- to protect the area’s wild charac- to 2 to proceed with the lawsuit County Commissioners did so ber, the success of public involve- ter. Following the WSA designa- on behalf of the off-road groups. because they realize that protecting ment was demonstrated in defend- tion, however, organized off-road When local residents heard about wilderness better serves the long- ing the Robledo Mountains-Sierra travel increased within the Robledo this, Commissioners received an term interests of the larger com- de las Uvas complex. The area lies Mountains WSA. Despite the fact overwhelming response of public munity. Commissioner Paul Curry northwest of Las Cruces, west of that BLM had created an off-road opposition. Highway 85 and I-25 and has an vehicle (ORV) designated area even said he believes the area incredibly diverse range of land- complete with maps and diffi culty Prior to public involvement, should be protected as Wilderness forms, historical and cultural fea- ratings, a signifi cant proportion of Commissioners had little knowl- and urged Congress to act! This is tures and habitat types. Expansive this increase was cross-country edge of the ecological values of the a great opportunity to express our vistas of the wild landscape are use, which is illegal. Robledo Mountains or the signif- thanks for their wisdom and good- afforded from the mountaintops icance they have in the hearts of will in making such a huge differ- and ridges, while dramatic cliffs, In 1997 BLM staff determined area residents. ence for our wild landscapes. box canyons and other impres- that off-trail vehicle use was dam- aging the area. BLM concluded The BLM provided vital back- To learn more, contact sive geologic features can be found Trisha London throughout. that several of the jeep tracks ground to Commissioners on what found within the WSA had been a WSA means and their require- [email protected] or In 1979 the BLM designated illegally created by the Las Cruces ment to protect it. With insight of 505-843-8696 11,640 acres of the Robledo Four Wheel Drive Club. BLM also the area’s importance combined

buzzing behind us. The hiking was I won’t. If you’re like me, you’ve already diffi cult thanks to a layer of already crossed paths with one sand 4 inches deep made by illegal of these machines and you know INCOMPATIBILITY dirt bike use on a pedestrian trail. It what I’m talking about. There are was diffi cult to move off to the side serious safety concerns for pedes- because of scrub oak, but we had trians using the same trails as no choice. The angry motorcyclist ORVs. By Ann Ahlander decided he was not going to slow down. He had determined that he Although we will never do away I grew up in a family that spent skidded off an 80-foot cliff and was with ORVs altogether, we do need its weekends at moto-crosses and saved by his helmet. Not long after, had the right of way, with no regard for the rest of us. to seriously manage them. They dirt bike derbies. Three-wheelers my uncle nearly became a paraple- must absolutely keep to the main and ORVs had just come on the gic after being thrown off his dirt I could go on and on about the trails and established ORV areas. scene, and it wasn’t unusual to see bike and landing on a sharp rock. environmental impact of these Their existence has a much more one of my little cousins riding one. My fascination for ORVs com- over-sized Tonka toys, how their profound effect on my peace of I’ve ridden motorcycles and ORVs deafening rumble can ruin a peace- mind than my photographing but- and enjoyed the thrill of them. This pletely ended after an unfortu- nate encounter with a man on a ful session of bird watching, and terfl ies has on their need for thrills. thrill soon wore off; quiet observa- how they have irreversibly scarred It’s only fair that we attempt to tion of the natural world never has. dirt bike. One autumn afternoon, my friends and I were hiking up a up miles of land that might oth- strike a balance. Even my lawyer father owned a erwise qualify as wilderness, but Yamaha 500, if only for a year. He narrow trail when we heard a loud

Page 8 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 9 Protect Our Public Lands Rally

1997 put a moratorium on oil and attending the rally. Those who came to the rally gas drilling in the Rocky Mountain left with a strong sense of motiva- Front of Montana. Flora spoke of Once the music had faded, a tion and action. Their interest went how proponents of drilling argued video address from Congressman beyond curiosity and turned into an that she gave too much weight to Tom Udall (D-NM) and Senator Jeff inspiration to write letters, volun- public opinion (!) and that this was Bingaman (D-NM) was projected teer, and stay involved in the issues. the type of attitude all Americans on stage. Both representatives Everyone knew that they could not were up against in the fi ght to pro- expressed their strong support for tect the countries last wild public protecting the Valle Vidal from coal- lands. bed methane development and for working to designate more wilder- Following Flora was renowned ness areas in New Mexico. These poet and native New Mexican, commitments from our representa- Jimmy Santiago Baca. From his tives offered solid proof that all of opening comments about the Bush our hard work and your dedication administration to his famous poetry, are making a difference. his words resonated throughout the theater. Terri Swearingen, activist and winner of the Goldman Environ- “…My hands the Hook thunder mental Award (the environmen- By Nathan Newcomer hangs its hat on, tal equivalent of the Nobel Prize), then got on stage and spoke about My breast the Arroyo storms fi ll In early February, the New Mexico the fi ght she led to stop construc- with water, Wilderness Alliance, in conjunction tion of a toxic waste incinerator with the Coalition for the Valle Vidal, My brow the Horizon sunrise fi lls, 1,100 ft from an elementary school Sierra Club, and Natural Resources in E. Liverpool, Ohio. Her presenta- stand at the way side and let pass Defense Council, organized a public My heart the Dawn weaving blue tion brought a lot of laughter from their opportunity to make a differ- lands rally at the Albuquerque KiMo threads of day, the audience, especially when she ence. talked about how their campaign Theater, to motivate and activate Yet, in spite of the terrifi c success My soul the Song of all life…” compared the Ohio Governor to a wilderness supporters around the of the “Protect our Public Lands weenie hotdog. But her presenta- state. His words reminded us all of our Rally!” the oil and gas industry is tion also inspired the crowd to learn deep connection to New Mexico, to unyielding in their quest to drill the The “Protect our Public Lands more about civil disobedience, its nature and how a healthy and pro- last wild public lands in America. Rally!” was a tremendous success. effectiveness, and how staying on tected environment is critical to our They will never stop trying to paint Over 700 New Mexicans came from message consistently in a campaign quality of life. conservation as a “radical” perspec- around the state to show support for can produce winning results. tive of a “few.” We must hold our protecting our wildest public lands After Baca read a few more The audience was then graced ground. We can win these issues if from oil and gas development. poems, a local band comprised of with “Ballet en Fuego,” a Latin we stay informed, participate, and biology professors from the Uni- The focus of this year’s event was dance review, which performed tra- work together. versity of New Mexico took center on New Mexico’s Otero Mesa, Valle ditional and contemporary Latin- stage and played traditional blue- Speaker Gloria Flora, eloquently Vidal, and the Arctic National Wildlife Spanish dances. Refuge in Alaska. A diverse group of grass music. “Holy Water & Whis- echoed a sentiment held by many speakers from around the country key” played as though they were Following the dazzling dance was at the rally, “Birds sing to defi ne their came together to discuss the impor- around a campfi re in the wilder- a presentation by Ken Madsen, who territory. So I suggest that we sing at tance of protecting these wild lands ness. Fittingly enough, behind the spoke of the Arctic National Wild- the top of our lungs. We are going to and what the average citizen could band played a series of stunning life Refuge and how he has person- sing about our vision and our love do to make a difference. nature photos taken by New Mexi- ally worked with the native Gwich’in of this common land that we share. can David Muench. The bluegrass tribe to protect this sacred land. Ken And we know that when we’re sing- The fi rst speaker at the rally was tunes and beautiful images of wil- showed a short fi lm that he had ing we’re not just singing to hear our- activist and former Forest Service derness echoed off the walls of the produced, which was from the per- selves, but we’re singing for all the Supervisor Gloria Flora, who in KiMo and into the hearts of those spective of his young son. His son’s grandchildren of all species of all voice overlaid the fi lm with time.” an innocent yet intelligent The men and women of New sensibility. He spoke simply Mexico who support protecting about oil and gas develop- our last wild public lands are to be ment and how if allowed in applauded for their continued com- the refuge, would irrevers- mitment. Without the strong sup- ible affect the wildlife, land- port and resilience of our members, scape, and Gwich’in way of volunteers and countless supporters life. There wasn’t a dry eye from across the state and beyond, in the house after the fi lm. the efforts and goals of the New William Greenland, a native Mexico Wilderness Alliance would Gwich’in from the Yukon simply collapse. Thank you very Territory appeared next on much, all of you. You are the back- stage with a presence and bone of who we are. testimony that were utterly captivating.

Page 8 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 9 In the recent 108th Congress, Con- rainforest. Over the past 45 years the gressman Udall voted for the environ- timber industry has cleared more than UDALL ment on some key pieces of legisla- 1 million acres of old-growth trees (Continued from page 1) tion Sadly in some cases, the Bush and carved out over 5000 miles of Administration was able to prevail: roads. Yet the forest service continues to lose millions every year with the porated areas. • Snowmobiles in Yellowstone logging program. On June 16, 2004, National Park - Udall voted to ban Since being elected in 1998, Con- the House passed an amendment snowmobile use in the park, but on gressman Udall has consistently voted supported by Congressman Udall that June 17, 2004 the amendment that for the environment. As a Westerner prohibited the use of federal funds for he supported lost by a 198-224 vote. in a largely rural district, Tom’s com- building commercial logging roads in By Tom Udall mitment to the environment is more • National Forest Management- In the Tongass. However, the provision courageous than most. It is based was not included in the fi nal interior heodore Roosevelt once 2002, the Bush Administration pro- said: “The nation behaves on his personal love for the outdoors posed sweeping new regulatory appropriation bill. and the lifelong tutelage of some of well if it treats the natural changes that would eliminate virtually Finally, it has been Tom Udall conservation’s strongest allies. resources as assets which it all the standards to which the Forest who has repeatedly championed the Tmust turn over to the next gener- Service could be held accountable. During the recent election, many Forest Service’s Roadless Rule. This ation increased and not impaired The regulations, undertaken without people were openly speculating that common sense rule (which generated in value.” Representing a state any scientifi c input and with the full if John Kerry had been elected, there more public comment than any other with tremendous natural beauty cooperation of the timber industry, was a strong possibility that Con- proposal put forth by an Administra- and plentiful natural resources and were designed to weaken safeguards gressman Udall would have become tion) has been consistently under- serving as a senior member of the for wildlife and habitat. Congressman the new Secretary of Interior. For mined by the Bush Administration. House Resources Committee, I Udall offered House Amendment 556 New Mexico, such a set of circum- Congressman Udall has remained understand intimately the need to to prevent the Administration from stances could have been a windfall vocally opposed and has continued protect our environment so it can fi nalizing or implementing these new for our efforts to protect our states to work with fellow members of Con- sustain future generations. I also regulations. But despite the clear logic wildest public lands. gress to stop the Bush-Cheney team know that environmental protec- and the tough stand, the amendment from misleading the American people tion is not incompatible with eco- Since being elected, Congressman lost by a 195-230 vote. on the fate of the Roadless Rule. nomic prosperity. On the contrary, Udall has never averaged below a a sound, healthy environment is • Tongass Protections- At 17 million 90% voting record, as scored by the By reading this short list of bills, the very infrastructure of healthy acres, the Tongass National Forest is League of Conservation Voters. In it becomes clear that Congressman communities and is essential to the America’s largest and the world’s larg- fact, during four sessions of congress Udall faces a tough fi ght each day in economic well-being of our coun- est remaining old-growth temperate Udall scored a perfect 100%. Washington. Yet, despite the loss of try. overall bi-partisanship on most conservation issues, the Con- Although there are always two gressman continues to fi ght sides to any political issue, I have to safeguard the environment never heard anyone declare being and look for ways to work with against a clean, healthy environ- our delegation and the current ment. Even the strongest advocates Administration. for deregulation and the privati- zation of federal lands and natu- One example has been ral resources try to include in their the bi-partisan work on the arguments the premise that these proposed Ojito Wilderness. actions will actually improve the Though the bill did not pass environment. That’s not surpris- during this past legislative ing because poll after poll shows session, Congressman Udall that the vast majority of Americans worked with Congresswoman believe there should be stricter pol- Wilson to help craft legislation lution standards for business and that has been quickly reintro- industry, including, according to a duced in this new session of recent Yale University poll, 68% of Congress and which currently those who identify themselves as has earned the support of New Republican. So why is the federal Mexico’s Senior Senator Pete government doing so little? Domenici. The environmental ethic is rela- With battles brewing in the tively new in America’s history. My Valle Vidal and the oil and father Stewart Udall, who served in gas industry hungry for more the House of Representatives in the access to our wildest public 1950s and then as Secretary of the lands, its important to have Interior in the Kennedy and John- someone like Tom Udall fi ght- son administrations, largely cred- ing to make sure generations to its the ecologist Rachel Carson with come have the chance to enjoy starting the modern environmen- our wilderness areas, wild tal movement. He believes Silent rivers and wildlife. Its equally Spring, published in 1962, marked important, that environmental the beginning of the confl uence of safeguards and sound science new scientifi c information about are strengthened not weak- the impact humans were having ened, so that we all can con- on our natural support system with tinue to enjoy the quality of life growing public awareness and con- that makes living in the West cern. Congress then responded to so special. the public’s call and began to create some of our nation’s most impor-

Page 10 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 11 Preserving New Mexico’s Natural Resources

edge has been found to be in con- fl ict with its political goals, the administration has often manipu- lated the process through which science enters into its decisions.” More recently, 48 Nobel Prize-win- ning scientists wrote in an open letter to the American people that the administration “has ignored unbiased scientifi c advice in the policy-making that is so important to our collective welfare.” Those of us in Congress who rec- ognize the environment as a prior- ity will keep doing our best to build the bipartisan coalitions that envi- ronmental problems warrant. But it lands most signifi cantly on the shoulders of the citizens of our country to continue to demand this much from their elected offi cials, as they did four decades ago, when the birds stopped singing. Undoubt- edly, the environmental challenges felt as overwhelming and complex then as they do today. That was probably why it was an ecologist, Rachel Carson, trained to view the tant environmental laws. My father was the same deliberative, demo- vation administrations, President world as an interacting whole, who oversaw the passage of two of the cratic institution where my father Bush has waged a subtler, broader was able to tackle the issue, trans- earliest of those laws, the Wilder- experienced this bipartisan spirit. and more ominous agenda using late it for the public, and create a ness Act and the Land and Water Sadly, this severely polarized body deceptive rhetoric, arcane proce- groundswell from which we still Conservation Fund, which both has abandoned that tradition of dural methods, and budget cuts benefi t today. passed Congress in 1964 with taking time to thoroughly study all to carry out an anti-environmental overwhelming majorities. parts of the legislation to fi nd out program. Even President Reagan, here was no mandate in the what works and what does not. As no friend to the environment and 2004 election to weaken and In the early 1970s, again with such, we are not coming to terms the man who appointed James Tundo our environmental and the nearly unanimous support of with the big new environmental Watt as his fi rst Secretary of Inte- public health protections. We Congress, President Richard Nixon problems we are facing now. rior, did not attempt to undermine should not think of the environ- signed into law the Clean Air Act, environmental protections on such ment as a Republican or a Dem- the Federal Water Pollution Control New Mexico has a proud con- a vast scale. ocratic issue. We should think of Act Amendments (later the Clean servation legacy, yet we are still it as an issue Water Act), the Endangered Species faced with environmental threats of protecting Act, and the National Environmen- on a national level. Since the day what is best tal Policy Act. The Clean Air Act pro- he came into offi ce, President Bush about our vides an example of the thought- has threatened more than 35 years country and ful, bipartisan legislative approach of deliberative work by weakening protecting it that created these steadfast envi- many of our nation’s most funda- for not only ronmental laws. Senator Edmund mental environmental laws, some ourselves but Muskie took seven years to author of which were signed into law by for the health the Act. During that process, he his father. The Bush White House and pros- became an expert on the complex- has taken huge steps to hand over perity of our ities of air pollution and demanded our public lands to timber, oil and children and that a sound scientifi c basis for reg- gas companies for more drilling our grand- ulation be established fi rst. He then and logging. When one looks at his children. With went all over the country to hear record, it is literally breathtaking. your contin- everyone’s views on what would ued support be technologically and politically Without question, George W. The scientifi c community is justi- and engagement, we can work necessary to clean the air, creat- Bush has compiled the worst envi- fi ably alarmed by the Bush admin- together to protect the environment ing a true piece of consensus leg- ronmental record of any president istration’s widespread rejection of and the precious natural resources islation. in the history of our nation. In con- sound science. The Union of Con- that will sustain future generations. trast to the frontal assault on envi- cerned Scientists, a nationwide I took offi ce in 1998, with the ronmental laws and regulations organization of eminent scientists mistaken expectation that Congress waged by previous anti-conser- declared: “When scientifi c knowl-

Page 10 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 11 The Banff Mountain Film Festival, presented by National Geographic and Dunham Boot makers, is a competition of the world’s best mountain fi lms, videos and speakers. From the over three hundred fi lms entered into competition, the top forty are taken on a worldwide tour. Experience the adventure of climbing, mountain expeditions, remote cultures, and the world’s last great wild places — all brought to life on the big screen.

Local sponsors are Mountains & Rivers and Stone Age Climbing Gym. They have generously chosen New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and New Mexico World Tour Climbing Resources & Advocacy Group (NMCRAG), Holy Water & Whiskey April 4th, 2005 respectively, as recipients for proceeds raised Hiland Theatre through the event. Support Wilderness while enjoying world-class mountain fi lms. 4804 Central

General admission tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the show. Students $10 advance or at the show and available at Mountains & Rivers and Stone Age Climbing Gym.

humor, and compassion. as Americans, hold dear. he New Mexico Wilder- The music is still pure fun, how- ness Alliance met the group ever and never a full time job (they T through Steve Capra’s con- all have those). The group also nections with Scott. Steve invited enjoys other pursuits and have the group to play at the KiMo last ironically become related by mar- often happens when life gets going, Holy Water & Whiskey’s year for the Save Otero Mesa event riage (Scott married Maggie’s sister music took a back seat while kids uplifting tunes and spiritual lyrics and they graciously accepted. The Maria). Both couples own farms in grew up, careers were developed, got their start in the mines of Colo- group seems to have found a cre- Cuba and the South Valley of Albu- and gardens were planted. rado and the farm country of Mich- ative home within the Wilderness querque. All of them love the out- igan and Iowa. Bruce Washburne A few years ago, they got together Alliance’s mission – in the ideas doors and wild places. And the (day job: social worker at the VA), and started harmonizing. Scott of keeping wild places wild, pro- wild places are like their music: Maggie Werner Washburne (UNM picked up the third part of the blue- tecting habitat, and working with uplifting, harmonious, and spiri- Biology Professor) met through grass gospel songs and introduced traditional people to protect their tual. bluegrass bands while in Hawaii. Maggie and Bruce to a few “Whis- ways of life. From ranching in San For more information about Holy Both had been singing since high key” tunes. There was no turning Juan to caribou herds in the Arctic, Water and Whiskey contact Maggie school. Scott Altenbach (Biology back. They have since performed Holy Water & Whiskey’s music has at [email protected] or call Professor) played the coffeehouse from Cuba, NM to Santo Domingo expressed the desire to protect the 505-265-3218. circuit from his early college days Pueblo, enchanting everyone with sacred, and to fi ght against the and through graduate school. As their technical precision, sense of forces that would destroy what we,

Laughing Crow Art Studio rtist Lezle Williams recently has been doing freelance artwork to portray everyday, recogniz- Lezle’s artwork can be viewed contacted NMWA after for 10 years now and has focused able objects, (often combined with at www.laughingcrowstudio.com A seeing the title of our last much of her work on environ- strong lighting and shadows) with or at the New Mexico Printmakers issue “We need you now more than mental causes. Other publications the intent of letting the viewer see Gallery in Santa Fe. ever”. Her timing could not have in which her work can be found the ordinary in an extraordinary been better as we were just pre- include: Wild Earth, The Fund for way.” paring for the “Protect our Public Animals Magazine, The Wild Ones, Lands Rally” on February 5th. We and Petroglyph magazine. Lezle doesn’t stop here. She had 200 T-shirts that just arrived, is not only a talented artist, but but no design. After a short visit Lezle received her graduate an activist, mother and business- to Lezle’s website, we decided her degree in Non-toxic Printmaking woman. After coming to Albuquer- artwork would truly compliment and mentored under the interna- que she started the New Mexico the rally and the work of NMWA. tionally known printmaker Keith Printmakers group, who now have Lezle generously agreed to let us Howard in Alberta, Canada. During a gallery in Santa Fe. She is also use her antelope woodcut for the this time she rediscovered relief President of the Sawmill Neigh- T-shirt design (see back cover) and printmaking-- specifi cally woodcuts borhood Association, working several other images to add some and wood engravings, which she to improve the quality of life for character to the rally. has done nearly exclusively for the downtown residents. In her spare last fi ve years. time, Leslie and her family try to Lezle Williams is the owner of get out and enjoy the beautiful wild Laughing Crow Art Studio. She “I use a centuries-old technique landscapes of New Mexico.

Page 12 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 13 involved. IT’S PEOPLE THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BE HEARD. GOVERNMENT CONTACTS 2005 Call Washington, D.C. toll-free. Volunteer Projects Capitol Switchboard Number: Volunteer Projects give you an opportunity to do something for the 800-839-5276 Land of Enchantment. From building barriers to stop ATV abuse to Just ask the operator to connect trail clean up and maintenance to helping with the logistics of set-up you to your New Mexico Senator and food, there is something for all ages and abilities. We plan to or Congressman. do up to 5 projects this year and have 2 set up and described here. Unlike our hikes, we need you to RSVP so we can plan for food, car- Senator Pete V. Domenici pooling, and other logistics. We will give you directions and further 328 Hart Senate Offi ce Building project information when you call or email Michael Scialdone at 843- St. Martin’s Hospitality Center Washington, D.C. 20510-3101 8696, [email protected]. (SMHC) can use your old camping (202) 224-6621 and hiking gear! As you get ready for (202) 228-0900 April 9th, 2005—San Lorenzo Canyon Project to curb ATV abuse a new season, don’t forget those in San Lorenzo Canyon is located about 10 miles north of Socorro along the boundary of the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. With its unique need. Donate your old tents, sleeping Senator Jeff Bingaman geology, it is a great place for recreation and has many cultural values bags, jackets, etc to a local group 703 Hart Senate Offi ce Building as well. Unfortunately, it has been overrun by ATV’s and has the usual working to better the lives of the less Washington, D.C. 20510 trash and scars we’ve come to expect. We will block and cover these fortunate! (202) 224-5521 scars to prevent further damage and let the healing begin as well as (202) 224-2852 fax post signs and begin a monitoring program. We will camp out the Take your donations to: night before, but the area is close enough to ABQ that you could join 1201 3rd St. NW Congresswoman Heather Wilson for the day. We will need 25 – 40 people. We are teaming up with Albuquerque, NM 87125 318 Cannon House Offi ce Building Volunteers for the Outdoors for this one.

Washington, D.C. 20515 Contact: Michael Scialdone at 843-8696, [email protected] (202) 225-6316 Distance: 70 miles south of ABQ SMHC is New Mexico’s largest (202) 225-4975 fax Time: We will gather to talk about the project at 8:15am. multi-program provider of services for the homeless. Founded in 1985 Congressman Steve Pearce June 4th, 2005—Pecos Wilderness, north side by volunteers from local Episcopal June 4th is NATIONAL TRAILS DAY and we will participate by working 1408 Longworth House Offi ce churches, the agency is now a private, on a trail on the north side of the Pecos Wilderness that ATVs have Building been using illegally. Our main task will be to block access to motorized nonsectarian 501(c)3 organization that Washington, D.C. 20515 use while allowing others to continue. We will also do some trail clean partners with community, municipal, (202) 225-2365 up and maintenance. We will camp out Fri & Sat eve, do the project state, and federal agencies in pursuit (202) 225-9599 fax on Saturday, and go for a hike on Sunday. We will need around 25 of its mission: “to serve homeless and people. near-homeless people by providing Congressman Tom Udall Contact: Michael Scialdone at 843-8696, [email protected] resources, opportunities, and hope.” 502 Cannon House Offi ce Building Distance: about 2 1⁄2 hours north/northeast of ABQ Washington, D.C. 20515 On the web at: (202) 225-6190 To Be Determined, 2005—Columbine – Hondo WSA www.stmartinshospitalitycenter.com Preventing ATV access on a single-track trail. We will need around 15 (202) 226-1331 fax St. Martin’s Hospitality Center people. P.O. Box 27258 Governor Bill Richardson Contact: Michael Scialdone at 843-8696, [email protected] Distance: about 3 1⁄2 hours north of ABQ Albuquerque, NM 87125 Offi ce of the Governor 505.766.6876 State Capitol Building Suite 300 Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 476-2200 (505) 476-2226 fax Letters of Support needed for Tijeras Canyon Safe Passage Link (see Page 14) Please send letters of support to the following decision makers, and a copy to the Tijeras Canyon Safe Passage Coalition. See: http://www.safepassagecoalition.org for more information and talking points. Re: I-40 Reconstruction Project, Concerned about oil and gas ACGRIP (BR-IM-NH)-040-3(131)170, Feasibility Study development on our public lands? write: Secretary Rhonda Faught Larry Velasquez, District 3 Engineer Tijeras Canyon Safe Passage Coalition Linda Rundell New Mexico Highway and Mark Fahey, Project Development Engineer P.O. Box 11395 Transportation Department New Mexico Highway and Albuquerque, NM 87192 BLM State Director P.O. Box 1149 Transportation Department For more information, contact: P.O. Box 27115 Santa Fe, NM 87504-1149 P.O. Box 91750, Albuquerque, NM 87199 [email protected] Santa Fe, NM 87502-0115

Page 12 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 13 Hope for Tijeras Canyon: Protecting an Endangered Wildlife Linkage Municipal Wildlands by Matt Clark Albuquerque City Councilor ur beloved Sandia Mountain Wil- Martin Heinrich recently introduced derness is becoming increas- legislation to protect 327 acres of O ingly isolated from adjacent newly acquired Albuquerque Open wildlands. Extensive development Space land. The area in question now encircles this wilderness area, is in the Sandia Mountains and is creating a “choke point” in the string adjacent to the Sandia Mountain of mountainous wildlands east of Wilderness Area. Heinrich pushed the Rio Grande Valley. The Tijeras for Albuquerque to acquire the land Canyon wildlife linkage (located long before becoming a city coun- between the Sandias and the Man- cilor. He fi rst learned of the unpro- zanita-Manzanos to the south) is all tected Sandia parcel while on Albu- but completely severed by Interstate querque’s Open Space Advisory 40. I-40 is a route heavily used by Board. commercial truckers, and is one of the busiest expressways in the West. “Protection of this land, one of Six lanes of highway, paralleled by the last unprotected pieces of the a two-lane frontage road and asso- ness Alliance (NMWA) fi rst identifi ed New Mexico, the Carnue Land Grant, Sandia Mountains, is essential to ciated development, create a for- Tijeras Canyon as a “priority barrier” the East Mountain Chamber of Com- ensuring quality open space for midable barrier to wildlife. Among to wildlife movement in the New merce, and NMWA. Albuquerque’s residents amidst our the wildlife most affected are mule Mexico Highlands Wildlands Net- urban environment,” said Councilor deer, black bear, mountain lion and work. Soon thereafter, the Critical The formation and actions of this Heinrich. Councilor Heinrich also mesopredators such as coyote and Mass: Solutions for Reconnecting Wild- Coalition have been timely, as the proposes to name the acquired bobcat. In fact, recent research indi- life Habitats Across Highways Workshop NMDOT is now planning a recon- land after the late United States cates that this endangered linkage is brought together specialists from struction project on I-40 in Tijeras Senator from New Mexico, Clin- Canyon. This project is one of Gov- a crucial location for genetic inter- government agencies, including the ton P. Anderson. An Albuquerque change between two genetically ernor Richardson’s Investment Part- New Mexico Department of Trans- native, Senator Anderson worked distinct mountain lion populations nership (GRIP) highway projects. portation (NMDOT), New Mexico diligently to preserve and maintain (MacRae, 2004). Importantly, wild- Improvements will include reposi- Game and Fish, non-profi t organiza- the integrity of wilderness land in life attempting to cross this trans- tioning the road within its existing tions, as well as private environmen- the state and helped to shepherd portation corridor present a deadly tal consultants to assess highway- alignment, and elimination of center hazard to unsuspecting motorists space in order to widen the shoul- the 1964 Wilderness Act through induced habitat fragmentation across Congress. Councilor Heinrich’s bill traveling at high speeds. However, the state. Not surprisingly, partici- ders. In addition, NMDOT has com- proposes to manage the parcel in a there is hope on the horizon! Recent pants ranked Tijeras Canyon as one missioned Marron & Associates Inc., way that prohibits all development, dialogue and interagency coopera- of the top four “Critical Risk Areas” an independent environmental con- but still allows for mountain bikes. tion has begun to address this com- in New Mexico. Since that time, sultant, to conduct a feasibility study plex issue. interest in the Tijeras Canyon wild- for wildlife crossings in the project This extra level of protection is nec- Interstate 40 through Tijeras life linkage has grown, and in May area. The preliminary fi ndings of this essary because Albuquerque Open Canyon has been identifi ed as a of 2004 the Tijeras Canyon Safe Pas- precedent-setting feasibility study Space lands, while largely unde- problem area for wildlife by numer- sage Coalition (TCSPC) formed. The clearly identifi es a need to improve veloped, have had utility corridors, ous entities. The Wildlands Proj- TCSPC is “a group of organizations, permeability for wildlife, and rec- water tanks, and even roads placed ect and the New Mexico Wilder- agencies, and individuals working to ommends some practical measures within their boundaries. “Because provide safe to improve the situation, includ- this distinctive piece of the Sandia crossings for ing deer fencing and escape ramps, escarpment is such an integral part wildlife and aggressive signing, vegetative treat- of Albuquerque’s and Carnuel’s safer travel ments and modifi cations to exist- backdrop, and because of its prox- for people ing culverts and underpasses. The imity to the existing Forest Service through NMDOT has indicated an interest Wilderness, this area deserves to in implementing these recommen- Tijeras remain undeveloped in perpetuity.” Canyon”. dations, but it is critically important Since its for- for individuals and organizations to The Albuquerque City Coun- mation, the write NMDOT in support of the fea- cil will hear public testimony on Coalition sibility study’s recommendations. this bill on March 7 at City Hall. has grown Please go to Page 13 for the contact The meeting begins at 5pm. Your to include a information and send you letters of attendance will help make this pro- support today! diverse group posal a success. In addition, letters of 20 con- Reference: McRae, Brad. 2004. Integrating and e-mails of support to individ- cerned cit- Landscape Ecology and Population Genet- ual councilors are needed. Go to izens, and ics: Conventional Tools and a New Model www.cabq.gov/council to contact over 50 enti- (available at your councilor or to check council ties, includ- http://www.for.nau.edu/SOFArchive/ boundaries. ing Animal GraduateResearch/bhm2/chapters.htm) Protection of

Page 14 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 15 Spring 2005 OTERO MESA HIKES! See Back Cover Albuquerque Area Hikes

WeWe will meet atat 7:00am atat the Volcano Hill Wilderness NMWA office parking lot prior to Inventory Unit the hike to figure out the car pool The Volcano Hill Wilderness Inventory situation (if you’re willing to drive, Unit is just west of Albuquerque, it is greatly appreciated). We’ll have with its namesake rising 500-feet you back in town by 6:30pm, likely from its surrounding basalt lava flow. much earlier. Driving time is less Volcano Hill and its lava flow cap an than 11⁄2 hours each way unless escarpment that drops almost 1,000 noted otherwise. Bring your own feet to grassy plains below. Volcano water, snacks, and lunch, and be Hill erupted around 3 million years prepared for all types of weather. ago, spewing out basaltic lava flows Call Nathan Newcomer or Michael Manzano Mountain Wilderness Magdalena Mountains that capped the 240-million-year- Scialdone at the ABQ office at 843- Red Canyon / Spruce Spring Loop Timber Peak Trail old Chinle formation. Expect to see 8696 for more info or the contact red-rock country, tall prairie grasses, This loop trail begins at Red Canyon The Magdalena Mountains are person listed for that hike. and signs of ancient civilization. Campground and ascends through rarely visited by hikers, yet they are March 12th, 2005 Contact: Nathan Newcomer at 843- a drainage full of trees and cliff only a little over an hour south of Chupadera Wilderness, 8696 for more info faces. It travels along a streambed Albuquerque. The Timber Peak Trail Bosque del Apache Length and Time to be determined for about 1.5 miles. Last year, this offers dramatic panoramas that streambed was a nicely flowing arguably top all others. In addition Besides its great wetlands habitat, by group on the day of the hike river, complete with waterfalls. After to endless horizons and solitude, Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge Difficulty: Easy to Moderate leaving the canyon the trail pops the trail includes striking views of has 3 little known Wilderness onto a sloping plateau through deep canyons within the Magdalena Areas (see Page 4) that encompass April 16th, 2005 large pine, fir, and eventually aspens. Mountain range. The trail also winds the surrounding desert. We will Ojito WSA (east side) Great views are abundant at the between open meadows and thick either hike an established trail to We have done many hikes to Ojito, top of Red Canyon Trail at Ocha aspen forests. Chupadera Mountain or explore but none to the east side. This will Peak. The trail then travels northeast Contact: Nathan Newcomer at 843- cross-country the northern portions be a moderate hike along a mesa along the crest of the Manzano’s 8696 for more info of the Wilderness. on the eastern boundary. Nice views and then descends down Spruce Distance: 6 miles round-trip Contact: Michael Scialdone at 843- into Cabezon country, small cliffs Canyon. Long vistas are visible when Time: 4 to 6 hours round-trip plus 8696 for more info and badlands, maybe some critters. going down the gentle slope of driving time Distance: 10 miles round-trip Some minor off trail/scrambling Spruce Canyon, which eventually Elevation Range: 9,800 to 10,300 Time: 4 to 6 hours round-trip plus possible. Drive: 120 miles RT (~1 hour brings you back to Red Canyon feet driving time each way). Could be warm, so bring Campground. Depending on how Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: 4,530 to 6,213 feet water, boots, lunch and appropriate much more snow the Manzano’s Difficulty: Moderate hiking gear. receive, the last leg of this hike may June 18th, 2005 Contact: Rick Hurley at 299-8401 for MarchMarch 19th, 2005 require waterproof boots. Mt. Taylor more info. Contact Nathan Newcomer at 843- Distance: 8 miles round-trip 8696 for more info. A hardy 1,800 feet of elevation gain in Time: 4 to 6 hours round-trip plus Distance: 7.5 miles round-trip only 2.5 miles leads to the top of this driving time Time: 4 to 6 hours round-trip plus extinct volcano just north of Grants, Elevation Gain: less than 1000 feet driving time NM. The hike starts in pine forest Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Range: 7,960 to 10,003 and finishes with steep grassy slopes Contact Alberto Zavala in NMWA’s April 30th feet leading to the peak. Hopefully the Las Cruces offi ce for information Difficulty: Moderate rains will keep the forests open – last on all the Las Cruces hikes. You can May 21st, 2005 year’s attempt had to be moved to El reach him at 505-527-9962 Malpais. Contact: Michael Scialdone at 843- April 23rd Spring 2005 8696 for more info Fillmore Canyon- La Cueva Distance: 10 miles round-trip This is a loop hike leaving from the Las Cruces Area Hikes Time: 2 to 4 hours round-trip plus Visitor’s Center at Dripping Springs driving time Natural Area. We will hike southeast May 21st Low point: 5,650 feet Elevation Range: 9,500 to 11,301 to the Dripping Springs Trail and Ice Canyon-Dripping Springs High point: 6,250 feet feet Diffi culty: Easy Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous follow the Crawford trail over to This trail is well-defi ned and easy Fillmore Canyon. The tall waterfall to follow all the way to Ice Canyon June 18 in this canyon can be spectacular where Dripping Springs is located after snow in the winter or rain in the (1 3⁄4 mile). We’ll hope for recent Peña Blanca summer. La Cueva is an interesting rains that can turn the springs into The hike heads northeast along a Peña Blanca have shown evidence archeological site dating back 7,000 a dramatic waterfall. Ruins remind rough jeep trail that is more enjoyable of prehistoric human habitation. years. Interpretive signs also tell the one of the cultural activities that to hike than drive. It is about 1 mile An archeological dig in one of the story of a hermit that lived in the have taken place in this area. The to the base of Peña Blanca, an caves yielded corncobs dated to cave in the 1800’s. interpretive signs do a good job in outcrop in the southwest part of the period of the Mogollon culture NOTE: There is a $3 fee per person relating their history. The wildfl owers the Organ Mountains. We’ll explore is the earliest know cultivated corn at Dripping Springs Natural Area. can be spectacular here in the spring the volcanic tuff outcroppings on in the US. Distance: 3.25 miles / early summer. the south and the east side and Distance: 2.5 miles Low point: 5,450 feet NOTE: There is a $3 fee per person at then climb up the moderately steep Low point: 4240 feet High point: 5,850 feet Dripping Springs Natural Area. slope to the top. The caves found High point: 4720 feet Diffi culty: Easy Distance: 3.5 miles in the volcanic tuff formations at Diffi culty: Easy

Page 14 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 15 Letters To NM WA Love us, hate us–or love to hate us–NMWA prints your letters–regardless of how bad your grammar is.

My name is Jim, and I am a Drill- the Bush administration, all feel- Upper Green River Valley, there balanced. ing Superintendent for a company ing helpless to save anything. It are references to negative impacts Mark Mathis in the Farmington area. I have really re-energized me to start from coal bed methane drilling in Executive Director worked in the petroleum indus- fi ghting again. I plan to write Blanco, and Aztec New Mexico as Citizens’ Alliance for Responsible try for nearly 40 years. I have several more letters today. This well. Energy seen tremendous damage that event helped me get back to a I have already written both Rep- has been done in the past. With happy place and was a real suc- resentative Udall and Senator Bin- Mr. Bush, that said, I have also seen great cess. Nice job. gaman thanking them for their Having been back in the well advances in my industry’s effort Regards, support for the protection of our area near the Jicarilla Apache to be ecologically friendly in our Chuck... public lands. I also sent them the reservation and Farmington New efforts to supply Americans with link to article. Mexico, I have seen the incredible the natural gas to heat our homes, New Mexico Wilderness Alliance: Please forward this email to destruction of the the gasoline to power our cars, We are marking the new year by Steven Capra, and put my name environment with multiple roads and the diesel to provide us with making contributions to organiza- on whatever list you have for vol- and well head entrances. The land goods from warehouses across tions that best refl ect our philo- unteers willing to do whatever for is ripped up. Otero Mesa, like the the nation. It has been my most sophical, political and environmen- the cause. I see from her piece in above mentioned area is a very pleasurable experience in the last tal priorities. the Journal on Sunday that Linda delicate desert environment. 20 years to work with oil com- These organizations, which include Rundell considers the fi ght to be Please restrain yourself here. Not panies and rig hands alike who the New Mexico Wilderness Alli- on. Thank you for your time and everything should be gobbled up share my fervent desire to pro- ance, suffered a stinging politi- efforts. I look forward to meet- by oil interests and spit out like tect our ecology from harm. The cal defeat in 2004. We know, ing you. chaff. This is our state not yours. surface damage has been reduced however, that you will remain Sincerely, Ruin Texas, not New Mexico. to minimal proportions. The pro- undaunted and will continue to Peter Jean Charis ducing well sites that remain are work hard to turn back the poli- Chama, New Mexico designed to blend in with the sur- cies of environmental destruction I attended Saturday’s event at P.S. Please leave Valle Vidal alone rounding fl ora and fauna, as well we have suffered over the past the KiMo and it was awesome! Is for the same reason. as surface contouring replaced to four years and will likely witness there going to be a video of the near exact dimensions as before for four more years. event available for purchase? I RE: Otero Mesa the well was drilled. This has been To that end, we are making our noticed that it was being fi lmed. I just saw your organizations a practice in use for many years fi rst contribution of the new year I would love to use the video at commercial on drilling in the in Wyoming and Colorado. Being to the New Mexico Wilderness Alli- small political gatherings and Otero Mesa area. This commercial in the fi eld for extended periods ance for all it does to protect our house parties. Please let me know has prompted me to take action. of time, 24/7 in many instances, planet and advocate for all life on where I can purchase the video! I am writing my representatives as many as 21 days straight, I Earth. In particular, we appre- Thank you for the incredible rally! and encouraging them to not have seen very little impact upon ciate everything the NMWA has Linda fall for your organizations false wildlife behavior changing. Many done to preserve Otero Mesa and Linda Joyce, CRS representation of the effects of times I have stood on the rig fl oor other wilderness areas and to drilling in this area. I have spent and watched large herds of deer keep the issues on the front page Subject: Sick time in this area and there is no or elk graze past an operating all over New Mexico. You sanctimonious, ignorant fools better place to develop natural drilling rig with no apparent fear Our family has been living on a are really tiresome. Your com- resources than in areas like this. of the noise or smell of the rig. modest income for some time now. mercials have backfi red. I am The restrictions the BLM placed In one instance, a bald eagle set- Consequently, we are disappointed not in the oil industry but I am so on drilling in this area goes tled on the crown of our rig as we can’t give more. But we want sick you ignorant do-gooders that way beyond what is reasonable we were preparing to lay the der- to make sure to give whatever we everytime I see that stupid com- and any further restrictions is rick over so we could move off the can so our children will be able to merical, I write congress and tell simply obstructionist activity. location. We waited nearly three enjoy the natural wonders of our them to proceed with the drilling. You people heat your houses with hours for the eagle to fl y off on planet once those who put prof- You people need to get a real job natural gas and drive your SUV’s it’s own before continuing on with its over planets are evinced from or something. Don’t impose your around (with KERRY stickers) our move. What I am getting at is, temporary seats of power. animistic environmental religion al the while complaining about the majority of oil fi eld personnel May God bless our Earth. on the rest of us. our dependence on foreign oil are all diligent conservationists by Peace to all. and then you try to obstruct nature. We hunt, fi sh, go camping, David and Mary Subject: Announcing CARE development in a dry desolate or hike. So please don’t condemn Wilderness Alliance: area of SE New Mexico, can you us for working in a profession I would like to congratulate you, I’m an up-front operator so I’ll be say hypocrite? that heats your home and gets Steven Capra, and the rest of the up front about my new organiza- The Oil and Gas industry is you and food to the stores that staff and volunteers who worked tion, CARE. You folks have done not the evil they spend 100’s are necessary for our survival. to produce such an excellent Rally an effective job for your constit- of millions cleaning up after The majority of us feel as strongly on Saturday. I am invigorated uency over the years, but then themselves - this area would be about conservation as you do. We and ready to be involved in the again you’ve pretty much been the better off with development. are on your side! Thank you for struggles ahead. In that spirit only players in the game. Some- When ANWAR is fi nally opened your time. I am enclosing a link to an arti- body needs to look out for the best up you’ll probably;y be the fi rst Sincerely, Jim cle in a past Mother Jones you interest of the energy consumer to take advantage of the access may already have seen, but it and all he/she hold dear. That’s to the area and enjoy the deer NM Wild, was so good, and relative to both where CARE comes in. scratching their backs against the I just wanted to write to say Otero and the Valle Vidal, that I The debate over energy in New pipelines. thanks for organizing the Rally would be remiss in not bringing Mexico and on potential develop- Thanks for your add. last Saturday. It really helped me it to your attention. The link is ment in places such as Otero Mesa Ken (former BLM employee) to center myself by being around below. While the primary focus and the Valle Vidal is about to get 500 people like me, all mad at of the article is on Wyoming’s a whole lot more interesting… and

Page 16 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 17 Got a Spare Weekend??

by Steve West It is best to head east from the year progresses, become very pop- headquarters to the entrance sta- ular. Other birds including resident tion of the loop road. The tour loop House Finches and orioles also (about 15 miles) is across well- there a birder any- visit the feeders, although with far maintained roads with occasional where in New less grace and dexterity. Mexico that hasn’t stops to view ponds and other been to Bosque open areas. The loop heads south The Bosque is worth visiting at isdel Apache National Wild- and then back north, paralleling the any time of the year and is a much life Refuge? It is a place bird- river and curving back south to the better place to visit than it was 10 ers from New Mexico and across entrance point. The time required or 20 years ago. At one time this the country must make a jour- depends on how many stops one refuge was managed primarily for ney to. This jewel in the heart through makes. While most people take an sustaining large numbers of water- of the state is about 15 miles early hour or two, it would be easy to fowl, Snow Geese in particular. south of Socorro and includes spring. spend an entire day. Someone recognized the impor- both sides of the Rio Grande Another tance of In March River. Bosque del Apache NWR is sight worth the trip are the many this rare there are one of over 500 refuges under the Bald Eagles that winter here. ripar- still plenty direction of the US Fish and Wildlife Summer birds are abundant in ian area of water- Service. At just over 57,000 acres, numbers and diversity quite differ- and now fowl and the refuge is composed of a variety ent from other times of the year. the refuge is spring nest- of habitats including wetland and During the summer, nesting herons managed toward a ing birds. The drier uplands on either side of the and many neotropical migrants healthier standard ponds are worth river. Also included are three wil- appear with numbers peaking in of supporting and seeing, as well as the agri- derness areas, totaling over 30,000 July and August. Year-round resi- increasing biodi- cultural fi elds in the north- acres. These three areas (Little San dents include Gambel’s Quail, Wild versity. Fields are ern part of the refuge where Pascual Mountain, Chupadera, and Turkey, Greater Roadrunner and still planted for cranes one can see geese and cranes. Indian Wells) all are great exam- many others. and waterfowl but large areas of Occasionally, coyotes can be seen ples of upland Chihuahuan Desert the refuge are maintained for other If you visit this spring, you may walking around the edges of the grassland and scrub and although riparian birds (herons and rails) see the huge fl ocks of cranes, geese fi elds grazing fowl, hoping to catch trail access is limited, all are worth and for passerines. Large areas and other waterfowl as they start to one off its guard. visiting (see Page 4). once infested with salt cedar have fi lter northward. Bald Eagles also been cleared and native grasses While the refuge was originally leave at this time. It is a great time April most of the water- and cottonwoods are taking its established for wintering Sand- to visit the refuge. fowl (except those place. While there are still areas hill Cranes and waterfowl, many that stay to breed) are where salt cedar dominates, it is Be sure to stop at the Refuge by other birds have benefi ted. Thou- gone and the northward move- headquarters to see their exhibits great to see that with effort, it can sands and thousands of birds, ment of shorebirds and neotropi- and displays, and to pick up a map. be removed and the area returned from dozens of different species cal migrants begins. Shorebirds A window overlooking a feeder and to prime wildlife habitat. can easily be found throughout the of dozens of species can be seen small pond on the east side of the year. Most visitors come in the fall in addition to rails such as the Sora So, if you have a spare week- headquarters is worth a visit. Many and early winter to see and Virginia Rails (more easily end, take a little time and spend as species of birds including Gambel’s the large fl ocks heard than seen). By mid-April, many hours as possible at one of Quail, White-crowned Sparrow of Sandhill large numbers of swallows begin the great places in a great state, the and others are visible at this Cranes, Snow moving through, with lesser num- Bosque del Apache National spot. Desert cottontails can Geese, and bers of fl ycatchers, grosbeaks and Wildlife Refuge. also be seen under the thick other water- hummingbirds. At the headquar- growth of Fourwing Saltbush. fowl that ters there are a number of hum- stay The Headquarters is where mingbird feeders the Friends of the Bosque del which, as the Apache run the Bosque Mer- cantile, which has a good selec- tion of books for sale and binocu- lars for rent. The funds raised go directly to the Refuge. Their web- site, friendsofthebosque.org is an excellent overview of the refuge.

Page 16 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 17 neat”, as we surveyed Otero Mesa’s while pointing out that this worth is rolling plain, punctuated with its magnifi ed many times over on a mountains and rocky ridges. Petro- landscape, 1.2 million plus acres, glyphs covering entire boulders on as large and as wild as Otero Mesa. Alamo Mountain were reminders of Otero Mesa’s early human history, owever, for many of the fi fty dating back thousands of years. Hpeople who attended my pre- Cattle heading toward a solitary sentation, common sense was the water tank reinforced the continued best argument for not drilling oil presence of fourth and fi fth gener- and gas wells across Otero Mesa. Americans far from these ation ranching families, as well as Carroll Meyer, a Presbyterian min- places. the scarcity of surface water. Leav- ister who grew up one of nine chil- ing, we caught a glimpse of the only dren on a family farm, called it I attended the College native pronghorn antelope herd left “ridiculous to endanger all that land of Wooster, in Wooster, in New Mexico. and especially the water supply Ohio, for the past four for so little energy”. Will Driscoll, a years, but was born and These pronghorn, which are geology major, bypassed the water raised in New Mexico. I found only in North America, sym- issue and instead seized on state’s was brought back in large bolized the balance of Otero Mesa. rights, writing to President Bush, part because of our land. Having been around for more than “The overriding of state’s rights [to Recently, I visited Otero a million years they continue to drill on Otero Mesa] stands in strong Mesa and then Wooster, coexist with cattle, cougars, coy- contrast to your purported tradi- to fi nd out whether stu- otes, and cowboys. Their herd tional conservative values”. Nick dents and staff there even remains strong enough to be Baggett, who spent a summer com- aily, the United States comes would be willing to join the New hunted. Such balance is rare in a mercial fi shing in Alaska, focused closer to consummating the Mexico Wilderness Alliance and world that increasingly sways to on public lands. “I would like to Ddevil’s bargain: sacrifi cing the others in protecting America’s larg- one extreme or the other. stress the concept of public lands. soul of our wildest public lands in est wild grassland. return for days, weeks, or at most The sun was months of energy from oil and gas. setting beyond Places like Arctic National Wildlife the Organ Moun- Refuge in Alaska and Otero Mesa tains when my in New Mexico are now a few Con- brother Doug- gressional and court decisions away las (age 11) from seeing their wildness turned and I arrived on into a wasteland of roads, wells, Otero Mesa. As and pipelines. If industrialized oil nightfall settled and gas development does occur, in, three moun- those living nearest these lands tains-Alamo, will suffer greatest. One example Wind, and Flat- is Otero Mesa’s independent ranch- top- remained ers, who face losing their traditional visible, silhou- way of life to industrialized drilling. etted by moon- Often, unique wildlife populations light in the south- and important water supplies are ern sky. Later, threatened. Native American peo- near the only ples (such as the Gwich’in Nation watering hole for of northern Canada and Alaska) risk miles, a cowboy losing their cultural identity if ances- named Dennis tral areas are scarred beyond recog- pointed us in the nition. direction of the However, public lands like Arctic Alamo Mountain Wayne County, where the Col- These lands are for public use, not National Wildlife Refuge and Otero campground. He was checking on lege of Wooster is located, is losing industry”. One letter simply said, Mesa belong to all Americans. cattle, and seemed happy to learn this balance. The area has watched “Invest the money used for drilling Whether these lands fall to short- we planned to camp nearby. farmland and forests steadily disap- in alternative energy development term energy development, or con- During our time on this grass- pear, replaced by national franchises so we can have a real solution”. tinue the American tradition of land, we heard more coyotes than and housing developments. How- Seven Wooster students and staff preservation, depends partially on cars, and saw cattle roaming the ever, there are still several excellent joined NMWA as members during free range outdoor areas nearby. The wild- my stay. Dozens wrote letters to instead est is Killbuck Wildlife Refuge, the President Bush, and scores signed of feed- largest freshwater marsh in Ohio. the petition to make Otero Mesa a lots. Atop Killbuck’s 2000 acres of river fed National Conservation Area. Alamo swamps, enclosed by rolling hills, are delightful in any season. Winter tero Mesa will always be a local Mountain, treasure, but its signifi cance Douglas ice makes previously marshy areas O accessible, while warmer months stretches far beyond New Mexico’s remarked, borders. Keeping Otero Mesa wild “it would bring joyous symphonies produced by thousands of frogs, birds, crick- means listening to the American be easy public, and if Wooster is any exam- to get lost ets and other creatures too numer- ous to name. ple, there are many who are will- out there, ing to take a stand in defense of our but that’s In making the case to protect wildest public lands. what Otero Mesa I wanted to empha- makes it size the value of places like Killbuck,

Page 18 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 19 VOLUNTEER PROFILE: New Mexico Wilderness Alliance Suzi & Dave Baltzer orderform P.O. Box 25464, Albuquerque, NM 87125

Name ______ness, I want to take them and show them the wilderness, and if we allow Phone ______them (Bush administration) to rape and pillage the wilderness, then Suzi Street ______and I won’t be able to do that.” After discussing volunteer oppor- E-mail______tunities with NMWA staff member (including Homeland Security) NMWA NEVER SHARES YOUR YOUR SHARES NEVER NMWA

INFORMATION WITH ANYONE!!! INFORMATION Michael Scialdone, Dave and Suzi City, State, Zip ______came down to our offi ce the very By Nathan Newcomer next week to see what they could do Item Description Qty Cost Total to get involved. Ironically enough, Suzi and Dave Baltzer became members of the “We knew that the Wilderness Alli- New Mexico Wilderness Alliance at ance was the group that was going the exact same time and through the to do the local work that needs to be exact same way that I began work- done,” Suzi later said. ing for wilderness in New Mexico. As it turned out, Suzi used to be It was the beginning of 2002 and an outstanding organizer and Dave I had just quit working construction had just retired from being a pro- to go work for the environment. I gram analyst. In addition, they both decided to work as a canvasser had years of experience in volunteer (canvassing, which can be quite hos- community theater projects. tile at times, consists of knocking on Merchandise Total people’s doors between dinner and Just days later, Dave was entering bedtime in order to educate them on information from our tabling event £ Enclosed is my check payable to New Mexico Wilderness Alliance a particular issue, oh, and try to get efforts into a database, which in turn he used to compose charts and  Please charge my £ Visa or £ Mastercard money too). Lucky for the canvasser who knocked on Suzi and Dave’s graphs that outlined various aspects Card# ______Expiration Date: ______door, they found a mutual friend of our tabling program. With this and supporter of wilderness. data entered, we will now be able Signature: ______to more effi ciently table across the But it wasn’t until after the 2004 state and provide our funders with elections that I met Dave and Suzi. useful information regarding our They had decided to come to our tabling program. annual Christmas party to meet and Join the Friends of Wilderness monthly giving program. mingle with the wilderness crowd. With Suzi’s strong experience in Dave later said to me why they organizing, it seemed like a perfect Contact Roxanne at 505/843-8696 to get set up. came to the party. “I don’t want to fi t for her to help organize the “Pro- tell my grandchildren about wilder- tect our Public Lands Rally!” When presented with the idea, Suzi seized the opportunity in a heartbeat and began lining up volunteers to help Join New Mexico Wilderness Alliance make the rally a tremendous suc- Today! You’ll not only help preserve cess. New Mexico’s Wild Places for your own enjoyment… but you’ll help insure that Within a few weeks, Suzi and future generations may enjoy them too. Dave had volunteered for over 50 hours, including handing out fl yers about the rally while Dave wore a YES! I want to be a member of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance!!! My contribution will go Mail your polar bear costume! “After all of this towards the continued protection and wilderness designation of New Mexico’s natural heritage. Tax Deductible volunteering, I am looking forward q$25 – Individual q$100 – Contributing qOther $______Donations to: to actually going out into the wil- q$30 – Family q$500 – Lifetime derness and getting acquainted with q$50 – Supporting q$10 – Student/Senior New Mexico other volunteers and members,” Name ______Phone______Wilderness Alliance joked Dave during an interview in Street ______E-mail______PO Box 25464 our Albuquerque offi ce. City, State, Zip ______Albuquerque, NM The New Mexico Wilderness Alli- 87125-0464 £ Enclosed is my check payable to New Mexico Wilderness Alliance ance would like to express many thanks to Dave and Suzi Baltzer for  Please charge my £ Visa or £ Mastercard Questions? all of their hard work in advancing Card# ______Expiration Date: ______505/843-8696 wilderness protection and volunteer Signature: ______activism. Thanks guys!

Page 18 Spring 2005 New Mexico WILD! Page 19 G ET F REE Your pur chases will help NMWA S H I P P I N G & H A N D L I N G sa v e N e w Me xic o ’s wildest plac es! C heck out the gr ea t gear no w a v ailable thr ough NMWA! O N A L L O R D E R S!

J an Bart elst one his ima g e w as t a ke n f ro m th e to p o f C ab e zo n p eak . Jan TB ar te ls to n e an d Eyes o f N ew M e x i co have g e n e ro us l y d o nate d this i ma g e to th e N ew M e x i co W il d e r n ess Allian ce. A limi te d nu m b e r o f o r i g i na l 24 x 36 i n ch p r i nt s a re avai l a b l e f ro m N MWA at a cos t o f $ 50 0. T h e p h oto gr ap hs Hiking will b e dr y mo unte d o n aci d - f re e N e w Me xic o N e w Me xic o ’s Hiking N e w Me xic o ’s fo am core, mat te d an d f r am e d . Laur enc e P ar en t $16.50 W ilder ness A r eas: Gila W ilder ness P lea s e c all t o or der . las piedr as sa g r adas or sacr ed s tones the C omplet e Guide Bill C unnigham and Bob July an and P olly Burke $21.50 Tom Till $26.50

Ot er o Mesa D VD Experienc e the wild and special magic tha t is Ot er o Mesa. Includes e xtr aor dinary f ootage of this wild gr assland and in t erview s with Go v ernor Richar dson, scien tists and activists . C ost $6

D a y Hik es and Best E asy 100 Hik es in Oil On Ic e D VD N a tur e W alks in the D a y Hik es- San ta F e N e w Me xic o Las C r uc es-El P aso A r ea Linda & Ka tie C r aig Martin $18.50 Highligh ting the c on tr o v ersies Gr eg Magee $10.00 Regnier $8.00 surr ounding the pursuit of oil drilling in the A r ctic N a tional Wildlif e Refuge . C ost $20

O TER O TEES $15.00 T he new O TERO MESA TEE-SHIRT S ar e in! These shirts f ea tur e the NMWA logo on the br east. A v ailable in (01)W hit e , NMWA TEES $15.00 S iz e XL & (02)N a tur al, S iz e L C elebr a ting 40 Years of N ew Me xic o Wilderness . These shirts also f ea tur e the NMWA logo on the br east. A v ailable in (01)W hit e & (02)N a tur al. S iz es S-XL OTER O MESA HIKES

A pr il 16th Get the goods t oda y! U se the order f orm on Ot er o Mesa W eek end Outing C ome join us in Ot er o Mesa page 19, or call 505-843-8696 M-F 10a-4p and w a t ch the desert c ome t o lif e! W e will be e xploring the C ornudas Moun tains , the e xpansiv e gr asslands and the div erse cactus spe- N ew Me xic o BUQUE L R NONPROFIT ORG. A Q cies tha t c o v er its fl anks . W e will also e xplor e the e xpansiv e C hihuahuan U U.S. POSTAGE Wilderness A llianc e E

Desert gr asslands . To RSVP and f or mor e inf orma tion c on tact N a than N ew- 5 N

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P.O . Bo x 25464 7 c omer a t 505-843-8696 or N a than@nmwild .or g .

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A lbuquer que , NM 87125 I PERMIT NO. 426 Las C r uc es Hik es t o Ot er o Mesa To RSVP, or f or mor e inf orma tion c on tact A lbert o Za v ala a t 505-527-9962 or albert o@nmwild .or g . A pr il 9th—Ot er o Mesa D a y Hik e T his will be a moder a t ely str enuous off-tr ail hike t o the t op of A lamo Moun- tain, an impr essiv e igneous peak in the C ornudas Moun tains of Ot er o Mesa. F r om the t op , w e will be r ew ar ded with e xpansiv e view s in e v ery dir ection and w a t ch the desert blossoms c ome t o lif e . A pr il 30th—Ot er o Mesa D a y Hik e & Ma y 28th—Ot er o Mesa D a y Hik e Go t o www .ot er omesa.or g f or specifi cs