Heinrich to Highlight Outdoor Recreation Legislation, and Mental Health and Higher Education Funding in Silver City
SILVER CITY, N.M. – Tuesday and Wednesday, April 11 and 12, 2023, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will celebrate newly reintroduced legislation, a recent federal grant to the Silver Consolidated Schools, and the work being done with previously secured federal funding at Western New Mexico University.
On Tuesday, April 11, at 5:00 p.m. MT, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) will celebrate the introduction of the M.H. Dutch Salmon Gila Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 11, at 5:00 p.m. MT
WHERE: Little Toad Creek, 200 N Bullard St., Silver City, NM 88061
RSVP: press@heinrich.senate.gov
Background:
The M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act was introduced on March 15, 2023, by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.). This legislation would designate portions of the Gila River, its watershed, and other rivers in the Gila National Forest as Wild and Scenic Rivers. The M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act would boost New Mexico’s outdoor economy, while protecting an irreplaceable natural resource for future generations of New Mexicans.
The bipartisan Continental Divide Trail Completion Act, was introduced on March 1, 2023, by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.). This legislation would direct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior to prioritize completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) by the trail’s 50th anniversary in 2028.
On Wednesday, April 12 at 9:30 a.m. MT, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will visit the Silver Consolidated Schools to celebrate receiving a Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – School-Based Mental Health Services Grant. They were awarded $6 million in federal money from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, landmark legislation that Senator Heinrich helped negotiate. Silver Consolidated Schools is the first district in New Mexico to receive one of these grants, with many more funding opportunities to become available in the future.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 12, at 9:30 a.m. MT
WHERE: Silver High School, 3200 N Silver St, Silver City, NM 88061
RSVP: press@heinrich.senate.gov
On Wednesday, April 12 at 11:00 a.m. MT, Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) will tour Western New Mexico University to learn about the work being done with federal funding to expand distance learning, a wildland science program, and research on safe corridors for outdoor recreation and wildlife. Senator Heinrich secured Congressional Directed Spending in the FY22 and FY23 omnibus budgets to support initiatives at Western New Mexico University, including $500,000 for distance learning, $500,000 for a wildland science program, and $250,000 for university researchers to undertake planning and data analyses to address the need for safe corridors to access wilderness areas, outdoor recreation, and surrounding natural environments.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 12, at 11:oo a.m. MT
WHERE: Western New Mexico University, 1000 W College Ave, Silver City, NM 88061
