US Senate to Consider Sen. Tom Udall's Sabinoso Wilderness Bill

The press releases about pending legislation from our New Mexico Congressional delegation are coming fast and furious to match the quick pace of legislative action as the Dems take charge in Washington. Today we got word from Sen. Tom Udall's office that the US Senate could vote as soon as Sunday on legislation to designate more than 17,000 acres in San Miguel County as wilderness. The legislation was originally written by Senator Tom Udall when he served in the House. It was introduced in a package of public lands bills assembled by New Mexico's Senior Senator Jeff Bingaman.

The new wilderness area would contain lands currently included in the Sabinoso Wilderness Study Area. The land is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Udall, the BLM and local landowners worked together to develop this legislation to designate the area wilderness, which will protect the rugged and dramatic landscape of the area. The proposed wilderness area includes scenic canyons and mesas, which are home to a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, mountain lions, and wild turkey. The area is also rich in canyon vistas, including the 1,000-foot tall Canyon Largo, and impressive rock formations — all part of a vibrant Great Plains ecosystem.

“This legislation was made possible by all of the local landowners, hunters, ranchers, conservationists and state legislators who worked so hard to protect this land,” said Udall. “I want to thank them for their efforts and congratulate them on a job well done. I also want to thank Senator Bingaman for including this legislation in the lands package and I look forward to seeing this legislation pass quickly through the Senate.”

“I’m glad to support Senator Udall’s efforts to enact this important legislation. It will give the mesas and canyons in this beautiful area the additional protections they deserve,” Bingaman said.

The New Mexico State House of Representatives, led by Representative Thomas Garcia, and San Miguel County Commission both passed resolutions calling on the New Mexico Congressional delegation to support the establishment of the Sabinoso Wilderness Area. The wilderness area would be open for grazing, hunting and other recreational uses.

If passed, the legislation will move to the House of Representatives for consideration. Udall's original bill passed on a unanimous voice vote in the U.S. House last summer, but got bogged down in the Senate.