New Mexico Senators push to establish new wilderness areas

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich are pushing to have two northern New Mexico sites designated as public wilderness areas.

"The Rio San Antonio sits 200 feet below a plateau and creates a unique riparian area and amazing recreational opportunities that boost the local economy," said Sen. Udall. 

Senator Udall addressed the Senate Wednesday making a case for why the areas around Ute Mountain and the Rio Grande del Norte deserve environmental protections.

The proposal is part of a bill introduced in the Senate last month, which would expand wilderness preservation and improve public lands across the United States.