Broad Coalition Agrees to 'Keep Growth out of Doña Ana's Wild Spaces'
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Hot on the heels of news that a new annexation could double the population of Las Cruces, sportsmen, conservationists, business and community leaders are putting aside their differences on behalf of Doña Ana county's wild places. Over a dozen groups met in Las Cruces Wednesday to sign an agreement on proposed boundaries for wilderness in Doña Ana County. The coalition is asking Sens. Domenici and Bingaman to introduce federal legislation protecting open space in the area. Marnie Leverett is with the League of Women's Voters, one of the groups involved in the grassroots effort.
“It's very important to a lot of people that we maintain those open spaces for their quality of life. That's really what it amounts to, what makes it special here.”
The agreement seeks protection for three areas of BLM land around Broad Canyon and the West Potrillos Mountains.
Nathan Small with the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance says the groups were able to negotiate a wilderness proposal that was acceptable to all.
“Everybody knew we had to preserve roadless areas, but everybody wanted to really make sure that there was access for vehicles around these areas in such a manner that, you know, everybody can enjoy them as well.”
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