Outcome Focused Management Focus Group Report Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks National Monument Las Cruces, New Mexico 2016-2017 T. Timothy Casey1, Randy J Virden2, Peter Fix3, Rachel Garcia3 1 Colorado Mesa University, Natural Resource Center, Department of Social and Behavioral Science 2 Professor Emeritus, Arizona State University 3 University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Natural Resources and Extension, Department of Natural Resources Management. Page 1 of 170 {This page left intentionally blank} Page 2 of 170 Table of Contents Table of Figures ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Table of Tables .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Full Report ..................................................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 9 Characteristics of the Monument ............................................................................................................. 9 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................... 11 Demographics ......................................................................................................................................... 15 Special Qualities of OMDPNM ................................................................................................................ 17 Qualities that diminish the specialness of OMDPNM ............................................................................. 20 Interest and Expectations when visiting OMDPNM ............................................................................... 21 Information ............................................................................................................................................. 25 Maps and Locations of Special Places ..................................................................................................... 27 Organ Mountains Area ........................................................................................................................ 29 Desert Peaks Complex Area ................................................................................................................ 35 Doña Ana Mountains Area .................................................................................................................. 41 Potrillo Mountains Area ...................................................................................................................... 46 Doña Ana County Area ........................................................................................................................ 51 Community Character ............................................................................................................................. 57 Management of OMDPNM ..................................................................................................................... 59 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................. 62 Characteristics of the landscape ......................................................................................................... 62 Threats to the landscape .................................................................................................................... 64 Opportunities on the landscape ......................................................................................................... 65 Managing the landscape ..................................................................................................................... 65 Appendix 1 – Participant Handout for Focus Groups ................................................................................. 67 Appendix 2 – Flip Chart comments ............................................................................................................. 96 Appendix 3: Additional Written Comments on Handouts ........................................................................ 114 Primary Association – comments written in “Other” category: ........................................................... 114 Page 3 of 170 Special Qualities: ................................................................................................................................... 114 Special Qualities– comments written in “Other” category: ................................................................. 124 Diminishing Qualities: ........................................................................................................................... 125 Diminishing Qualities– comments written in “Other” category: .......................................................... 134 Information– comments written in “Other” category: ......................................................................... 135 Things you like about living in this Community (Las Cruces, NM): ....................................................... 136 How Does Public Lands Affect your Quality of Life? ............................................................................. 143 BLM Planning Positive Impact on Values: ............................................................................................. 149 BLM Planning Actions that Negatively Affect Values:........................................................................... 157 Manager for a Day: ............................................................................................................................... 163 Table of Figures Figure 1: Map of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument ..................................................... 11 Figure 2: Primary Affiliation with the Monument ...................................................................................... 15 Figure 3: Perception of Change in use Over the Last Five Years ................................................................. 16 Figure 4: What Makes OMDPNM "Special" ................................................................................................ 18 Figure 5: Characteristics that Diminish the Specialness of the Place ......................................................... 21 Figure 6: Interests and Expectations by Area ............................................................................................. 24 Figure 7: Sources of Recreational Information About the Place ................................................................ 26 Figure 8: Area of Primary Interest in the Monument ................................................................................. 27 Figure 9: Organ Mountains Area Special Places Map ................................................................................. 29 Figure 10: Organ Mountains Area Special Qualities ................................................................................... 31 Figure 11: Organ Mountains Area Diminishing Qualities............................................................................ 32 Figure 12: Organ Mountains Area Interests and Expectations ................................................................... 33 Figure 13: Organ Mountains Area Information Sources ............................................................................. 34 Figure 14: Desert Peaks Area Special Places Map ...................................................................................... 35 Figure 15: Desert Peaks Area Special Qualities ........................................................................................... 37 Figure 16: Desert Peaks Area Diminishing Qualities ................................................................................... 38 Figure 17: Desert Peaks Area Interests and Expectations .......................................................................... 39 Figure 18: Desert Peaks Area Information Sources .................................................................................... 40 Figure 19: Doña Ana Mountains Area Special Places Map ......................................................................... 41 Figure 20: Doña Ana Mountains Area Special Qualities ............................................................................. 42 Figure 21: Doña Ana Mountains Area Diminishing Qualities ...................................................................... 43 Figure 22: Doña Ana Mountains Area Interests and Expectations ............................................................. 44 Figure 23: Doña Ana Mountains Area Information..................................................................................... 45 Figure 24: Potrillo Mountains Special Places Map ...................................................................................... 46 Figure 25: Potrillo Mountains Special Qualities .........................................................................................