WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall today proudly joined President Barack Obama as he signed into law an omnibus lands package that includes legislation to designate more than 16,000 acres of land in San Miguel County as wilderness. The new wilderness area, the Sabinoso, will now be open for grazing, hunting and other recreational uses.
Udall, who authored the Sabinoso Wilderness Act in the House, and Senator Jeff Bingaman, who championed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, both attended today's signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House and applauded its signing.
"The Sabinoso Wilderness is the product of years of work by the entire community, including local leaders, sportsmen, land owners and ranchers" said Udall. "The preservation of this incredible landscape will now remain for the permanent benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations."
"Giving this area wilderness status will allow us to showcase and protect another beautiful part New Mexico," Bingaman said.
The Sabinoso Wilderness contains land previously included in the Sabinoso Wilderness Study Area. Under the new law it will continue to be managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
For years, Udall, the BLM and local landowners worked together to develop the legislation to designate the area wilderness to protect the rugged and dramatic landscape. The wilderness includes scenic canyons and mesas, which are home to a variety of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, mountain lions, and wild turkey. It 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.
The New Mexico State House of Representatives, led by Representative Thomas Garcia, and San Miguel County Commission supported the permanent protection of the Sabinoso, and passed resolutions calling on the New Mexico Congressional delegation to support the establishment of the new wilderness area.
