I want to commend The Taos News for their recent editorial (Dec. 8) “Keeping our wilderness areas wild and scenic.”
The Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area (CHWSA) is a watershed that needs to be protected for the use of all Taos County residents and many New Mexicans to the south. Water will remain as the highest level resource that needs protection.
Mayor Esther García said it best, “In order to protect your water, you have to protect its source.”
Protecting the Columbine Hondo will do just that under full Wilderness designation. If we are here to leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren, protecting the Columbine Hondo does exactly that.
Please contact your federal delegation and ask them to support the protection of the Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area by creating a full Wilderness designation for the area. Keep in mind, full Wilderness designation for the Columbine Hondo protects traditional uses under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
John Olivas
Holman, N.M.
http://www.taosnews.com/opinion/article_c2348f06-2818-11e1-a3e6-0019bb2963f4.html