Heinrich Tours Expanded Access Route To Achenbach Canyon Made Possible By Land And Water Conservation Fund
Senator Heinrich previously championed the Great American Outdoors Act becoming law that included full, permanent funding for the LWCF
LAS CRUCES, N.M. - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, hiked an expanded access route to Achenbach Canyon - a project made possible through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the number two priority nationally on the Recreation Access funding list. In 2020, Senator Heinrich passed full, permanent funding for the LWCF in the Great American Outdoors Act, legislation he championed becoming law.
Earlier this year, Senator Heinrich commended the Biden administration and U.S. Department of the Interior for taking steps to strengthen the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) by rescinding previous policies that significantly undermined the landmark conservation program. As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Heinrich is working to get a number of New Mexico LWCF programs back on track - including this new access route at Achenbach Canyon.
“This is a huge win for public access to our public lands. Easier public access to this trailhead will immediately put the rugged scenery and unique desert plant life in Achenbach Canyon on the map as a must-see hiking destination in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument," said Heinrich. "I’m proud that the Land and Water Conservation Fund—which I worked to fully and permanently fund as part of the Great American Outdoors Act— made it possible for us to secure permanent public access to the entrance of the Achenbach Canyon Trail. I am grateful to the Wilderness Land Trust and the Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks for all the hard work and support that went into protecting this ecosystem for all of us to enjoy.”
“The Wilderness Land Trust thanks Senator Martin Heinrich for his leadership to protect public lands. He’s been a champion for the Trust’s New Mexico projects, the 30 x 30 Initiative to protect 30 percent of U.S. land and ocean by 2030 and passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. We are proud to work with Senator Heinrich to protect special places for all of us and future generations to enjoy,” said Aimee Rutledge, vice president and senior lands specialist, The Wilderness Land Trust.
“Securing access to Achenbach Canyon through Land and Water Conservation Fund recreation access funding is a huge win for our community. This means access for future generations. It opens up a one of kind desert landscape. All of this is due to the hard work put into fully funding LWCF and Sen. Heinrich was a strong champion of that work,” said Patrick Nolan, executive director of Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peak.
The Wilderness Land Trust has partnered with Friends of Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks National Monument to acquire a 109-acre parcel at the entrance of the Achenbach Canyon adjacent to the Organ Mountains Wilderness. This private land acquisition will save public access to a popular trail into the designated wilderness and prevent residential development from encroaching on the wilderness boundary.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is one of America's most successful conservation programs and has helped preserve many treasured places in New Mexico—including the Valles Caldera, Ute Mountain, and Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge. LWCF also helps protect drinking water, provide public land access, and ensure that every kid in America--no matter their zip code--can easily access outdoor spaces near their home.
