Heinrich Legislation To Protect Buffalo Tract Gains Support Of BLM In Key Hearing
Senator Heinrich is also highlighting local concerns of illegal cattle trespassing into Valles Caldera National Preserve
WASHINGTON (Oct. 19, 2021) – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, participated in a Public Lands, Forests, & Mining Subcommittee legislative hearing this week where his Buffalo Tract Protection Act gained the support of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
VIDEO: Heinrich Legislation To Protect Buffalo Tract Gains Support Of BLM [HD DOWNLOAD LINK HERE]
During the hearing, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management at the U.S. Department of the Interior Dr. Steve Feldgus testified that Senator Heinrich’s Buffalo Tract Protection Act “aligns with the administration’s goals and the Department supports the bill.”
Senator Heinrich’s Buffalo Tract Protection Act would withdraw four parcels of BLM lands in southern Sandoval County, including the Buffalo Tract and the Crest of Montezuma, from any mineral development, including gravel mining.
“Local opposition to a new gravel mine is unified: the two neighboring Pueblos of Santa Ana and San Felipe, along with the county, the closest town, neighborhood and homeowners associations, and local residents all oppose a new mine,” said Heinrich during his opening remarks.
Heinrich added, “This is clearly the wrong place for a gravel mine. We need to permanently protect this area for the benefit of wildlife, recreational opportunity, and public health. It is time we put an end to this years-long debate and withdraw these parcels from any future mineral development.”
The Buffalo Protection Act previously passed by a voice vote in a key legislative business meeting in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in December of 2019.
For an archived video of the full hearing and a list of witnesses and their testimonies, clickhere.
During a full committee hearing on pending nominees, Senator Heinrich expressed to Director of the National Park Service nominee Charles Sams that local concerns have been raised surrounding illegal cattle trespassing in the Valles Caldera National Preserve from the neighboring Santa Fe National Forest. Senator Heinrich conveyed that “these cattle are currently damaging the unique subalpine meadows, the wetlands on the Caldera, and they are also having an impact on the Preserve’s world class elk herd.”
Sams committed to Senator Heinrich that, if confirmed, he would ensure a solution to these trespassing issues.
For an archived video of the full hearing and a list of witnesses and their testimonies, clickhere.
###
