Congressional Field Hearing to Consider Significant Wilderness Expansion

Please Plan to Participate!!!!! 

The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a full committee field hearing in Las Cruces to take public testimony on S. 1689, the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act, introduced by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D) and Senator Tom Udall (D).  The hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 15 at 2:30 p.m. at the Corbett Center, New Mexico State University.

The legislation proposes 260,000 acres of new Wilderness in Dona Anna and Luna counties.  Because of the prohibition on all forms of mechanical transportation (including game carts), Wilderness designation has significant impact on practical hunter access.  In addition, many of the most effective forms of active game and habitat management by wildlife officials are precluded once lands are designated as Wilderness.

Full committee field hearings are relatively uncommon so this is a great opportunity for New Mexico’s hunters to have their voices heard.  Please plan to attend the hearing to offer your opinion on S. 1689. 

If you are unable to attend the hearing in person, you may click here http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home to provide written comments on the proposal until February 25.