WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) hosted New Mexico Wildlife Federation Executive Director Garrett VeneKlasen for a discussion on how the federal government can partner with local sportsmen and conservation leaders to support America's tourism economy, create jobs and protect access to public land for preservation and recreational opportunities. The meeting was held before the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee at the U.S. Capitol. For photos of the meeting, click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/senatortomudall/sets/72157644257963130/
Udall and VeneKlasen were joined by other sportsmen and outdoor recreation leaders to discuss habitat protection, access to public lands and water, and strategies for preserving the nation's outdoor heritage for future generations.
"Garrett was an excellent spokesman for all New Mexicans who work to support our state's tourism economy and all of us who love the great outdoors," Udall said. "New Mexico is the only state in the country with the word 'land' in its motto, and that's because we understand how important it is to our way of life. But the Land of Enchantment isn't just a slogan - it represents a unique history where access to land and outdoor activities like hunting and fishing shape both our identity and our economy. I was pleased to host Garrett for this meeting, and I look forward to working with him to pass important federal policies that support economic growth in our communities, create jobs and expand outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors and citizens alike."
"I greatly appreciate the opportunity to share our community's views on conservation and land management," VeneKlasen said. "Hunting and fishing in New Mexico are more than just tradition - they are core cultural values with a 10,000 year-old history - and I thank Senator Udall for his work to maintain opportunities for future generations and supporting the growth of our outdoor economy all over the state."
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Census Bureau, sportsmen and women spent $90 billion dollars in 2011 nationwide. In the same year New Mexico sportsmen spent $579 million, supported $258 million in salaries and wages, contributed $58 million to state and local taxes and supported 7,695 jobs.
During the meeting, VeneKlasen noted New Mexico's significance in the wilderness movement by sharing the story of New Mexico Wildlife Federation's founder Aldo Leopold, who was the driving force behind the country's first federally designated wilderness area - the Gila Wilderness Area. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Federation and the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act of 1964.
"Like its founder, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation today sees wilderness and land protections as perpetuating a quality public hunting and fishing opportunity in its purest form, honoring the age old pursuit of fish and game in a vast and pristine backcountry landscape," VeneKlasen said during the meeting. "These are core values and sacred traditions that must be honored."
Udall reminded leaders at the table of New Mexico's historic drought and how climate change is severely threatening Western economies, and how he's working at the federal level to take smarter steps on preventing wildfires, flooding and other environmental challenges. VeneKlasen also noted the importance of outdoor recreation to rural economies in New Mexico, and encouraged congressional leaders to implement full funding for policies like the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), which Udall has long championed.
"Access to landlocked public lands will markedly increase hunting and fishing opportunities and further strengthen and diversify rural economies throughout New Mexico," VeneKlasen concluded. "Federal conservation sources like the Land and Water Conservation Fund and PILT are crucial to the future viability of our state's watersheds and wild ecosystems that support fish and game, and we must support efforts by Senator Udall and others to make sure these policies are implemented in the near future."
