Taos, N.M. - While President Barack Obama signs the Río Grande del Norte National Monument proclamation in the Oval Office on Monday, March 25, U.S. Senator Tom Udall will celebrate the historic designation with the local community at a gathering in Taos.
"The National Monument proclamation for the Río Grande del Norte was achieved through strong community support and the tireless efforts of many," said Udall. "Our celebration will reach from the Oval Office to Northern New Mexico, where communities will see the economic benefits of the monument and the beautiful land will now be enjoyed by generations to come."
What: Río Grande del Norte Monument Proclamation Celebration
Who: U.S. Senator Tom Udall, members of the Río Grande del Norte Coalition, local elected officials, Taos Pueblo, local business leaders, members of the community and others who have been instrumental in advocating for permanent protection of the area
When: Noon - 1 p.m., Monday, March 25th
Where:
Taos County Commission Chambers
105 Albright St.
In 2007, now-retired Senator Jeff Bingaman's office began working with residents of Taos and Rio Arriba Counties to identify how to best protect the land. Since then, Bingaman, Sens. Tom Udall, Martin Heinrich, and Rep. Ben Ray Luján have worked to advance legislation through Congress to protect the area and asked the White House to consider a monument designation.
The Bureau of Land Management, under the direction of the Department of the Interior, currently manages the 240,000 acres of land in Northern New Mexico. The Río Grande del Norte monument proclamation will be modeled after the delegation's legislative efforts to protect the area with input from Taos and Rio Arriba County residents. The proclamation has strong local support.
