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Less than a month after the Río Grande del Norte was made a national monument, our congressional delegation requested full protection for another wilderness area.
Bills were filed, appropriately around Earth Day, in the U.S. Senate and House to make the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Area a reality.
It is fitting that Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich along with Congressman Ben Ray Lujan chose the week we celebrate Earth Day to introduce legislation to permanently protect the pristine Columbine-Hondo area as wilderness.
Wilderness advocates had significant reason to celebrate this Earth Day (April 22), as another attempt to give the Columbine-Hondo full wilderness designation was
For Immediate Release 4-24-2013
Contact Mark Eller
IMBA Communications Director
303-545-9011 ext. 115
New Mexico's Congressional Delegation has reintroduced legislation to designate the 45,000-acre Columbine-Hondo area as a wilderness.
Teachers across the country are marking National Environmental Education Week, April 14-20, hoping to boost the knowledge of K-12 students about nature and the importance of stewardship. Here at Vista Grande High School in Taos, that is something we practice year-round.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Members of New Mexico's congressional delegations are trying again to designate the 45,000-acre Columbine-Hondo area in Taos County as wilderness.
New Mexico’s U.S. senators renewed an effort Monday to make the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Study Area in the Carson National Forest into an official wilderness.
TAOS, NM (April 23, 2013) – Senator Tom Udall and Rep. Ben Ray Luján introduced the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Act to permanently protect the roughly 45,000-acre Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area. The bill was co-sponsored by Senator Martin Heinrich. The legislation was praised by a coalition of New Mexicans who have been working for years to protect these lands in Taos County.
“My appreciation and love of the land comes from my father and grandfather,” said eighth generation rancher, Erminio Martinez, who grazes in the area. “Our livelihoods depend on this land remaining the way it is. The Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Act will protect a key water source that individuals, families and businesses depend upon.”
The Columbine Hondo area north of Taos is the last remaining portion of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to be designated as wilderness. It is crowned by 13 miles of high alpine ridges and peaks that tower above 11,000 feet, including its high point, Gold Hill at 12,711 feet elevation.
“There is no better way to celebrate Earth Day than to protect a place as majestic and incredible as Columbine Hondo,” said Mark Barela, a teacher in Taos.
Elk, mountain lions, black bear, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, pine marten, and Rio Grande cutthroat trout make their home here. This area is a significant clean water source for the central Rio Grande Corridor of New Mexico, supplying water to two of the larger Rio Grande tributaries – the Red River and the Rio Hondo. The area also waters many acequias used by the local agricultural community.
“I want to thank Sens. Udall and Heinrich and Rep. Luján for introducing legislation to protect this incredible place,” said Toner Mitchell, New Mexico public lands coordinator at Trout Unlimited. “Columbine Hondo is known for its outstanding hunting, fishing, hiking and camping. My business and family depends on us all protecting the elk, Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout and bighorn sheep. The Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Act will do just that.”
Community support for safeguarding the Columbine Hondo is broad and deep. Business owners, ranchers, sportsmen, acequia parciantes, mountain bikers, elected officials, conservationists and others have worked together for years to protect this natural treasure.
"Taos Pueblo thanks our federal delegation for these two Columbine Hondo bill introductions to Congress,” said Samuel G. Gomez, the Taos Pueblo Warchief. “Through these actions, Senator Udall, Senator Heinrich and Congressman Lujan shine as protectors of Mother Earth. This Columbine Hondo Wilderness bill will ensure that these mountains, its waters and forests, are protected for future generations of all species here."
Congress formally recognized the wilderness values and character of the Columbine Hondo area in 1980 and gave it interim protection as a wilderness study area (WSA). Designation as wilderness is the highest form of protection, and bars any development. Former Senator Jeff Bingaman introduced legislation to protect Columbine-Hondo in the 112th Congress, but it stalled along with dozens of other conservation bills. The Columbine Hondo Wilderness Coalition is hopeful that Congress chooses to lead this year and protects New Mexico’s wilderness.
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The mission of the Columbine Hondo Wilderness Coalition is to protect the land, water, values, heritage, culture, and traditions embodied in the lands and communities surrounding the Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area by elevating its status to full Wilderness designation.