Heinrich Welcomes Proposal To Unlock Greater Public Access To Sabinoso Wilderness
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, welcomed the announcement that the U.S. Department of the Interior through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to accept a land donation from the Trust for Public Land of an area known as Cañon Ciruela that is adjacent to the Sabinoso Wilderness in San Miguel County in New Mexico.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland is expected to make a final decision on this new donation, which would be added to the Sabinoso, in the next couple of months. The BLM’s Taos Field Office has opened a public comment period with a deadline of May 21, 2021.
“The Sabinoso’s rugged rim rock canyon walls and narrow mesas offer some of the most striking vistas in New Mexico. The wilderness is also exceptional wildlife habitat that supports mule deer, elk, mountain lion, black bear, and wild turkey. Until just a few years ago, the Sabinoso was entirely surrounded by private lands, making it the only legally inaccessible wilderness area in the country. That’s why I led the effort to open up the first public access point. This newly proposed land donation will open up a second public access point, protect the waters that flow through the wilderness, and provide even greater opportunities for outdoor recreation," said Heinrich. "Unlocking even greater public access will put the Sabinoso on the map as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts from New Mexico and all around the world. It can become one of the best places in the state for hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and camping. This is a huge economic opportunity for Las Vegas and surrounding communities in San Miguel County—and it couldn’t come at a better time as we try to rebuild our tourism and outdoor recreation industries in New Mexico. I enthusiastically welcome this generous donation, and I encourage Secretary Haaland to unlock the wealth of new outdoor opportunities it will afford to visitors from near and far in the stunning scenery of the Sabinoso.”
Jim Petterson, Southwest Region Director for The Trust for Public Land, said, "The Trust for Public Land has a long history of protecting lands for people in New Mexico, from our work in Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge and the Santa Fe Railyard to the Taos Valley Overlook, and we are proud to continue that legacy with the addition to the Sabinoso Wilderness. With this addition, the size of the Sabinoso Wilderness Area would increase by nearly 50 percent, giving nearby communities and visitors alike more access to the outdoors and nature."
