NM Conservation Leaders Praise Rep. Heinrich for Supporting National Landscape Conservation System Funding

Sen. Linda Lopez (right) and others at today's event

Today, New Mexico conservation leaders joined State Senator Linda Lopez at El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail in the heart of Albuquerque’s South Valley to support funding for the National Landscape Conservation System. The Historic Trail is part of the System.

The U.S. House of Representatives appropriated $74 million for the program on June 26, 2009 as part of H.R. 2996, the 2010 Department of Interior Appropriations Act. The bill will need to be conferenced with the Senate version, which should receive a floor vote after the Independence Day Congressional recess. Rep. Martin Heinrich (NM-01) is a strong supporter of the conservation effort and the appropriation.

Here's what local conservation leaders had to say about the bill’s passage in a press release about the event:

“Preserving our state trails is an important investment in our local communities. I applaud Congressman Martin Heinrich for vigorously supporting funding to sustain our cultural treasures for future generations to come.”--Senator Linda Lopez

“New Mexicans will recognize many units of the National Landscape Conservation System as jewels of our public lands and heritage, including Tent Rocks, El Malpais, the Bisti Badlands, and El Camino Real, as well as 11 other National Monuments and special designated areas and 58 Wilderness Study Areas. These areas protect New Mexico’s habitat, wildlife, and outdoor way of life, and we appreciate Congressman Heinrich working for an adequate and established funding source for their stewardship.”--Kent Salazar, NM Game Commissioner; Past President, NM Wildlife Federation

“We are thankful to Congressman Heinrich for showing leadership in the House of Representatives regarding funding for the National Landscape Conservation System, including the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail. This trail is one of the most historic trails in North America. An established funding source for the trail will support several important projects, including archaeological and historical investigations and preservation and also trailheads and interpretive materials to help the public explore and enjoy the trail.”--Van Ann Moore, Member, Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail Association

“We appreciate Congressman Heinrich’s leadership regarding funding for the BLM’s stewardship of the National Landscape Conservation System, which is essential to maintaining healthy, functioning ecosystems. Raptors rely on the habitat it protects, whether they are Red-tailed Hawks in the Rio Grande Gorge, Ferruginous Hawks in the Sabinoso Wilderness, or Prairie Falcons at El Malpais. Humans share these ecosystems with raptors and all other species; thus, our efforts to care for them are also efforts to care for ourselves.”--Caroline Goldman, Executive Director, HawkWatch International

Note: Rep. Harry Teague (NM-02) and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (NM-03) also voted for the appropriation bill.