call of the wild - new mexico wilderness alliance · call of the wild the newsletter of ... than...

New Mexico Wilderness Alliance Autumn 2002 1

Call of the WildThe Newsletter of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance

Vol. VI No. 3 Autumn 2002

Cornudas MountainsOtero Mesa

2 Autumn 2002 New Mexico Wilderness Alliance

A Note from the DirectorNew MexicoWilderness Alliance

Main Office

505/843-8696 � fax 505/[email protected] � www.nmwild.org

P.O. Box 25464Albuquerque, NM 87125

202 Central Avenue, SE � Suite 101Albuquerque, NM 87102

Las Cruces Field Office

101 N. Alameda #8GLas Cruces, NM 88005

505/527-9962

Mission StatementThe New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is

dedicated to the protection, restoration, andcontinued enjoyment of New Mexico�s wild landsand Wilderness areas.

NMWA StaffGreta Balderrama, Grassroots Organizer

Las Cruces OfficeTisha Broska, Membership CoordinatorSteve Capra, Director of Wilderness CampaignsGreg Magee, Southern Field CoordinatorRoxanne Pacheco, Finance ManagerJessica Pope, Executive DirectorMichael Robinson, Director of Wilderness

ProtectionSean Saville, Grassroots Organizer

Albuquerque OfficeMichael Scialdone, Northern Field Coordinator

Board of DirectorsRandall Gray, Chair Lake Valley, NMTodd Schulke, V. Chair Silver City, NMDave Parsons, Treasurer Albuquerque, NMNancy Morton, Secretary Albuquerque, NMJim Baca Albuquerque, NMPam Eaton Denver, CODave Foreman Albuquerque, NMBob Howard Santa Fe, NMWes Leonard El Paso, TXArian Pregenzer Albuquerque, NMBob Tafanelli Las Cruces, NMJim Scarantino Albuquerque, NMSteve West Carlsbad, NMTom Wootten Cortaro, AZ

NewsletterTisha Broska, Managing EditorMarty Peale, Editor, Design & Layout

The Artists: Cover watercolor of Otero Mesa byA. Peden, p. 2 photo by S. Saville, p. 4 photos by G.Balderrama, p. 5 owls and prairie falcon by N. Moore-Craig, p. 6 photos by A. Ahlander, p. 8 photo ofCollins Hills by Scial and photo of Cornudas by S.Capra, p. 9 photo by G. Balderrama, p. 11 mountainlion by E. Cantor and Nutt Grassland photo by R.Gray, p. 12 fire artwork by E. Cantor, p. 13 frog by N.Moore-Craig and photograph by J. Willus, p. 15 photoby W. Stone, p. 16 watercolor by M. Peale.

WildernessThe Wilderness Act of 1964 established the

National Wilderness Preservation System to preservethe last remaining wild lands in America. TheWilderness Act, as federal policy, secures �an enduringresource of wilderness� for the people. Wilderness isdefined as an area that has primarily been affected bythe forces of nature with the imprint of humanssubstantially unnoticeable. It is an area that offersoutstanding opportunity for solitude or a primitive orunconfined type of recreation, and an area thatcontains ecological, geological, or other features ofscientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.

Wilderness Updates 3Bush Releases Misguided Forest-Health

Initiative

Calendar of Events 3

Wilderness Spotlight 4Apache Kid Wilderness�

San Mateo Mountains

Perspectives 5Will West Meet East?The Young Boy Who Listened

Inventory Update 6Write-ups Needed for Citizens� Wilderness

ProposalSierra de la Cruz Wilderness Characteristics

Wild Science 7Beyond Fossil Fuels and Into Wilderness

Feature 8-9Otero Mesa

Wilderness News 10Poll: New Mexicans Support More Wilderness

Flora and Fauna 11Mountain Lion�Ghost of the WildernessThe Nutt Grassland

Get Involved 12Pro-Logging Senators Are Using Fires

To Gut LawsProtest Thinly Veiled Old-Growth Sales

Gettin� Out There 13Cottonwood Gulch Campers Explore CabezonThe Quebradas�The Wholeness of a Broken

Landscape

Books and Authors 14Mardy Murie Turns 100Farewell To Galen Rowell

Staff/Volunteer Profiles 15

Printed on Recycled Paper

Table of Contents

I t�s been almost three months since I loaded everything I own in a truck and brought my life to NewMexico. A typical newcomer, I arrived feeling a bit

uncertain, a little afraid and quite unsure of my placehere. What I have since found has been pure magic.Here are vast canvasses of sky looming with dark andlight towers. Power that thunders unexpectedly oversubtle landscapes that roll with sensuous lines, paintedin colors I have no words for, rising suddenly to harshedges and jagged horizons. There is no sense of dis-tance here. Land and sky are forever casting ahead,never quite in reach. The uniqueness of this placedraws people together creating a sense of communityI have never know before. Am I enchanted? Yes. Justplease don�t put green chili on my pancakes�I�m notthere yet. But I am learning and falling deeper in loveevery day.

I came here to take on the responsibility of executivedirector of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. Athrilling challenge I accept with excitement, commit-ment and awe for what I know it is we together willdo. The vision is there�designated Wilderness�andin my mind�s eye, I can picture the very moment thevote will happen. It is my hope that our members andstaff will carry that vision forward and use it as thebasis for our planning and strategizing. So much hashappened to bring this organization and its mission tothis point, and I am honored to have such a platform to

build upon. Our staff is committed, our membersconvinced. This union of focus and determination isthe soul stuff that identifies what we must do and willlead us boldly to doing it. The Congress will enact ourcitizen�s proposal for Wilderness. We will see that day.It is our next great challenge.

So how do you make a vision of Wilderness reality?Of place preserved and land restored, wild creaturesand deep silence living safely beyond the grasp of amodern world? In a word, �courage��courage tobelieve, courage to speak, courage to act, and courageto think boldly in new ways. The wild lands of NewMexico deserve no less. Our obligation as an organi-zation and as individuals dedicated to this work is tofearlessly push forward and resolve within ourselvesthat not one more acre will be lost. How will we dothis? This is my vision:

�We must reassess our approach to the politicallandscape. We must educate and cultivate the willwithin decision makers to act boldly on behalf ofthe preservation of wild places. Whether in theCongress, tribal councils, the state house or thecounty commissions, we have to approach electedofficials with fresh eyes and stop assuming that arepublican will always be anti-Wilderness and ademocrat will always be a champion. We mustshatter the old political paradigms enlisting thesupport of allies we never thought of before, orperhaps dismissed too early.

�We must set a strong standard and expect morefrom our conservation leaders in elected office.It cannot be enough to just vote right when some-one else�s legislation reaches the floor. What iscritical to wearing the mantle of conservationchampion is the determination to step forward,take the heat and push bills that will save whatprecious little wild places are left. Leadershipmeans courage, and nothing less warrantsour praise.

�We must build up the Coalition for New MexicoWilderness, enliven, and strengthen it. It shouldnot be just the New Mexico Wilderness Alliancebut hundreds of organizations and businessesacross the State speaking with one voice, loud,clear and unequivo cably on behalf of Wilderness.

�We need to generate more support. Foundations,forever dependent on the capriciousness of thestock market, cannot be the sole support of thismovement. Their funding has been critical, andwithout it we would not be where we are. Butin order for us to go where we intend to go andaccomplish what we intend to accomplish, wewill have to raise sustaining dollars on our own.Foundation support will always be a part of theequation, but alone it is not enough.

Wild Vision

(continued on the next page)

NMWA Executive Director Jessica Pope


Wilderness Updates

�We need to be vigilant watchdogsoverseeing the management of cur-rent Wilderness areas, WildernessStudy Areas and our proposal sites.We need to raise an army ofWilderness Adopters to go out,become intimately familiar withthese places, monitor activities,and hold the managing agenciesaccountable to the standards ofWilderness. Likewise, we need tooffer more opportunities for peopleto hike and backpack with us to seethese lands and learn first handthe issues that surround theirpreservation.

�We must focus on our mission andnot deviate. We are not here toappease the cattle or timber indus-try. We are not here to compromisewith oil companies or establishcommon ground with off-roadrecreationists. Our mission is thepreservation and establishment ofWilderness. We stand for those lastlonely, untouched tracts of self-willed land that can be found inthis beautiful state. With only 2.2%of the land currently designated asWilderness and only 10.9% still

eligible, there is no more room forcompromise. On this point we haveto be clear.

Late last June, I sat on a boulder atthe base of a glacial moraine in Alaskaand witnessed Wilderness in action. Infront of me stretched a two-mile widefjord bounded on all sides at the headby tidal glaciers. As one would calve,great swells of water would crash up onthe beach below my perch. In the curlsof the waves, thousands of herringswirled. Gulls, kittiwakes and murlettesby the hundreds swooped and dived,swarming the beach for an easy meal.Harbor seals and otters popped theirheads up just offshore, riding the swellsgetting in on the action. Within an hour,the great black dorsal fin of an orcacould be seen a hundred yards out.I could barely breathe for the sight of it.Wilderness�self-willed life�in sub-lime splendor played out beforemy eyes.

I resolved again in that moment that,for me, there is no greater cause or goalthan the preservation of wild places.That, of all the things we can do in thename of conservation and environmen-tal protection, the greatest is to ensure

that these last vast tracts of roadless,unmarred land remain exactly as theyare. That species are left free, andunimpeded to live as Nature intendedthem to be. As the new executivedirector of the New Mexico Wilder-ness Alliance, I carry that convictionwith me every day I enter the office.

Moving forward into the comingmonths, we are facing huge challengesboth in terms of imminent threats andshrinking resources. Likewise, we facetremendous opportunities for change.As we go forward to meet these chal-lenges and opportunities, let us invokeour own wild natures. Let us remem-ber who we are. Shake out our ownbushy tails and give voice to the wildcries that howl deep in our own souls.Feel again the energy that comes fromnatural connections and harness it foraction. What we save in the end justmay be ourselves.

For the Wild!

Jessica Pope (continued from page 2)

Calendar14 September 2002�Hike toLookout Mountain near SierraBlanca and Ruidoso. This hikewill offer spectacular views of theTularosa Basin from the WhiteMountain Wilderness. For moreinformation, contact the NMWAoffice in Las Cruces (505/527-9962; [email protected]).

19 October�Hike the RobledosMountains at Las Cruces� door-step. For more information,contact the NMWA office inLas Cruces (505/527-9962;[email protected]).

25-27 October�VolunteerWeekend: Peloncillos Mountains;we�ll help with road restorationin a WSA in the Bootheel of NewMexico. For more information,contact Greg Magee (505/527-9962; [email protected]).

9 November�See above groundat Carlsbad Caverns with a hikeup Slaughter Canyon. For moreinformation, contact the NMWAoffice in Las Cruces (505/527-9962; [email protected]).

7 December�Hike Otero Mesato see wintering birds andpetroglyphs. For more informa-tion, contact the NMWA officein Las Cruces (505/527-9962;[email protected]).

On 22 August 2002, the BushAdministration released its�Healthy Forests Initiative,� a dan-

gerous, short-sighted policy that capital-izes on the fear of catastrophic wildfirein order to roll back environmentalpolicy and create loopholes to allowthe execution of commercial timberprojects in the guise of �forest health.�

There is no dispute that large portionsof our national forests are currently inextremely poor health. Past Forest Ser-vice management, with a goal of maxi-mum timber yield, has led to this alarm-ing situation. Grazing, the exclusion offire, poor logging and regenerationpractices, a lack of effective thinningprograms, and a proliferation of roads,have left many actively managed forestsoverstocked and prone to high-intensityforest fire.

The Forest Service and other politi-cally and commercially driven interestsare attempting to place the blame onthe shoulders of the environmentalcommunity. These accusations�thatopposition to timber projects has led tothe decline of forest health�are poorlyreasoned attempts to justify commercialtimber projects. What their rhetoricdoes not mention is that current andpast management practices (e.g., theexclusion of fire, strongly favoringcommercial timber projects on nationalforests) are largely responsible for thecurrent situation. The natural fire regimeremoved ladder fuels, combustibleunderstory vegetation and diseasedcanopy trees, while creating gaps foryoung successional trees to grow intothe canopy and regenerate forests. Thisintensive fire exclusion increased yields

and reduced timber losses to wildfire,but along with poor regeneration prac-tices and grazing, has led to the hightree/acre densities found in many of theexcessively managed forest areas. Fireexclusion�a practice aimed solely atproviding maximum timber harvests�has excluded extensive forest areas ofNew Mexico from natural fire regimes,leaving them as dog-haired, chokedand highly combustible thickets.

Forests that have not been managedfor timber extraction�namely desig-nated Wilderness�still retain the natu-ral cycles of low-level fire disturbances.Two fires in New Mexico�s Wildernessareas this summer�the Trampas fire inthe Pecos and the Cub fire in the Gila�burned slowly and remained containedat a low level. At the opposite end ofthe spectrum are the Cerro Grande fireof 2000 and this summer�s fires in Ari-zona (Rodeo/Chideski) and Colorado(Hayman and Missionary Ridge), whereactively managed areas (previouslylogged and overstocked with smalldiameter trees) became crown-engulfing infernos.

End Run Around NEPA andEnvironmental Regulations

The Bush Administration�s �HealthyForest Initiative� is not a solution to thecurrent situation. This plan is anambush of proper forest planning andan �end run� around the National Envi-ronmental Policy Act (NEPA) and otherconservation safeguards. NEPA is thecornerstone for environmental reviewsof projects on federal land and acts asa safety measure, ensuring that all

impacts (biological, economic, social)are considered and analyzed. Whenobjections to projects arise, conserva-tionists raise vital concerns through thecomment process and, if necessary, theappeals process�acting to avoid poten-tial impacts to critical habitat, water-sheds, etc. Litigation or appeals areserious matters and tools that are notused frivolously by the conservationmovement. Projects that would improveforest health and have minimal impactproceed without delay.

The �Healthy Forests Initiative� is anattempt to exclude the public from theforest planning process and allow com-mercial timber sales to proceed withoutproper environmental review under theguise of �forest restoration.� The BushAdministration�s claim that litigationand appeals bog the Forest Servicedown in appeals is patently false. Ifthese projects were instituted with eco-system integrity as a priority, litigationwould not be a problem. Additionally,the Bush Administration claims that itneeds a quicker approval process, butNEPA has a built-in fast track provisionfor federal projects with minimal to lowimpact�the Categorical Exclusion. TheCibola National Forest alone has issuedseven categorical exclusions in 2002 forthinning and prescriptive burns. Theremedy for the Administration�s statedproblem already exists�but their aimis not forest health. It is commercial tim-ber operations�and removing our envi-ronmental safeguards is their only op-tion. Essential wildlife and wildlandprotection legislation (e.g., the Endan-gered Species Act, the Wilderness Act)could be sidestepped in order to imple-

ment commercial projects. This isanother Bush Administration attempt tothwart the laws that are fundamental tothe protection and restoration of ourcountry�s natural heritage.

Proposed SolutionImproving forest health and reducing

the threat of catastrophic forest fires inNew Mexico is an attainable goal, withshort- and long-term prescriptive solu-tions. The short-term includes treatingthe wildland-urban interface (WUI) andreintroducing natural low-level fireregimes and small-diameter (less than8-12� depending on species) thinning.Long-term prescriptions include obliter-ating many of the unnecessary roads inour national forests and creating largetracts of areas designated as Wilderness.

The New Mexico Wilderness Alliancehas long supported the use of pre-scribed fire and small-diameter thinningto improve the health of our NationalForests. NMWA emphasizes the thin-ning of small trees in areas where thestem density is too high and that thelimited funds appropriated for forestrestoration activities should be directed

Bush Releases Misguided Forest-Health Initiative

(continued on page 15)


Wilderness Spotlight

I �m not sure what the reasoning was,but one of the few areas of NationalForest land that was open at the

beginning of July in New Mexico thisyear was the extreme southern portionof the Cibola National Forest. Luckily,

this includes most of the Apache KidWilderness, which lies right in the heartof the San Mateo Mountains, about35 miles northwest of Truth or Conse-quences (T or C). Since this was theweekend following the 4th of July andthis was the only forest open in theentire region, we were expecting to runinto quite a few people. To our surpriseand delight, we saw only one othervehicle the entire weekend, whichapparently is typical of the San Mateos.Despite fascinating geology, a nicesystem of trails, beautiful vistas, closeproximity to Las Cruces and Albuquer-que, and abundant wildlife, the ApacheKid Wilderness is not a particularlypopular destination. This place isdefinitely rugged and wild.

Our camp was a wide spot in theroad (Forest Route 377, Burma Road)just a few hundred feet from the Wilder-ness boundary, on the southwesternside of the San Mateos about nine milesnorth of the small town of Monticello.It was only about 3.5 hours from LasCruces to camp, and that included anice cream stop at Dairy Queen in T orC. Looking west across the AlamosaRiver valley, the view of the CuchilloMountains and the more distant andalways enticing Black Range (AldoLeopold Wilderness) was spectacular.

As the sun set over the Black Range,I felt very thankful for the designatedWilderness areas that those before meworked so hard to secure. In the future,others will be equally thankful for thework that the New Mexico WildernessAlliance is and will be doing to protectspecial places in New Mexico. As pub-lic-land issues become more and morecontested, the critical importance ofthe Wilderness Preservation Systemonly becomes more evident.

The next morning, after just a fewminutes walk from the truck, we werein the Apache Kid Wilderness on our

way up the Shipman Canyon Trail (No.50). There were no signs of cattle, andthe grass was tall and thick�I live insouthern New Mexico, so I�m prettyeasily impressed with a little grasscover. We passed by Myers Springwhich, to our surprise, was flowingeven during this drought, and we wereimpressed by the amount of bear scaton the trail. This trail doesn�t get muchhuman use and is a bit difficult to findin places, but the black bears obviouslylike it. The vegetation around the springwas lush, and the air smelled moistand alive. After leaving the protectedcanyon bottom and gaining someelevation, we found ourselves on anexposed slope with jagged igneousoutcrops and rock glaciers.

Continuing up, after three miles ofclimbing, we finally reached the grassysaddle where the ruins of Myers cabinsit. From here, we left the trail andmade our way about a quarter of a mileto the top of San Mateo Mountain.While ambling around on the broad topof the mountain, looking for a break inthe trees so we could get a good vista tothe west, we were startled by the rattleof a black-tailed rattlesnake. We reallyweren�t thinking about snakes this farup, considering that the elevation is10,145�. We started down, a little morecautiously than we came up, andreturned to the saddle. We decided todrop down to the other side of thesaddle and followed the trail to NaveSpring, which was dry. Once again,as we got into the lush area around thespring, there was ample evidence thatbears were around. We retraced oursteps to the saddle and then beganthe descent down to camp.

Before my trip this July, it had beennearly 20 years since I hiked in theApache Kid Wilderness, but I�m defi-nitely not going to wait another 20years for my next hike there. On our

Apache Kid Wilderness�San Mateo Mountains

Facts

This remote Wilderness featuresdeep canyons, steep slopes,

jagged ridges and vegetationranging from desert scrub tomontane conifer forest. It isa place where savage and gentlebeauty coexist.

Location: In the southern SanMateo Mountains, southwestof Socorro, northwest of Truthof Consequences. CibolaNational Forest, MagdalenaRanger District

Size: 44,650 acres

Elevation Range: 7,000-10,336�

Ecosystems: Semidesert grass-land and scrub, piñon-juniper,ponderosa pine, Douglas fir,aspen, spruce.

Getting There: Access to theApache Kid Wilderness is onlong, often rough dirt forestroads, the main one beingForest Road 225, which headswest toward the Wildernessfrom Highway 1 near I-25north of Truth or Conse-quences.

Hiking: Difficult access is themain impediment to hikingin the Apache Kid Wilderness,which has an extensive systemof marked backcountry trails.

�Courtesy of Bob JulyanNew Mexico�s Wilderness

Areas, The Complete GuideWestcliffe Publishers (1998)

drive out on Forest Service Route 225along the southeastern boundary of theWilderness, about three miles east ofSpringtime Campground, we passedIndian Creek Trail (No. 48). After scout-ing around there a bit, we decided thatwe would hike this trail in the Fall.The cliffs and igneous outcrops areespecially colorful in this area�beauti-ful red, pink and orange�and thevegetation provides great contrast.

The Apache Kid Wilderness wasestablished by the New Mexico Wilder-ness Act of 1980. Wes Leonard, a mem-ber of the NMWA Board of Directors,recalls that the New Mexico WildernessStudy Committee, prior to designation,recommended approximately 99,000acres, and the U.S. Forest Service, in anunusual turn of events, recommendedmore than that�132,700 acres. Unfor-tunately, opposition from a politicallypowerful rancher resulted in the acre-age being cut dramatically and the for-mation of two smaller Wilderness areasin the San Mateo Mountains. The largercontiguous Wilderness recommendedby both the Forest Service and the NewMexico Wilderness Study Committee,which would have included much moreof the lower-elevation piñon-juniperlands, was not to be. The Apache KidWilderness covers 44,650 acres. To thenorth of it lies the Withington Wilder-ness, which encompasses 18,869 acres.

A great map, entitled �Apache Kidand Withington Wilderness,� is availblefrom the Cibola National Forest office inAlbuquerque for $7.00 (505/761-4650).

The remaining wildlands in NewMexico need our help, so please getinvolved by supporting the NMWA. Callus (see page 2), and find out how youcan apply your particular skills towardWilderness designation and protection.

�by Greta BalderramaNMWA Grassroots Organizer


Perspectives

How would you like it if youwanted to go hiking, but everywhere you went you were greeted

with a �Posted,� �No Trespassing� or�Do Not Enter� sign? What if everyplace available for camping was in adesignated campground in a designatedpark on the side of an asphalt road?What if all the vistas you looked uponwere surrounded by barbed-wirefences, or blinked with radio towersor scarred with oil jacks? Welcometo West meets East.

As an emigrant from the easternUnited States, I can tell you that, with-out Wilderness designations and theprotection of roadless areas, that�sexactly what�s in store for the westernUnited States. For those of you whohave never lived east of the RockyMountains, it is exceedingly difficult tofind places there that offer the solitudeand freedom found in the West and,in particular, in New Mexico.

When I was a kid, I used to long tocome �out West,� because it offered theintangible�places where you couldstill get lost; places where you couldstill find cougars, wolves and grizzlies;places where there was no sign of oth-ers treading before you. I used to campa lot, because my parents had a placein a rural town. We lived adjacent toa farmer�s property of mixed forest,streams, wetlands and farm fields, intotal, a small chunk of land about eightsquare miles in area. I used to campand hike there a lot, because I couldnever find another place nearby thatwas that open. Of course, that farmer�sland wasn�t really open, but I could getin there usually without being noticed.It was my own private Idaho. But, Inever got lost, I never saw a cougartrack or bear scat, and there werealways signs of others there before me.I recently went back home for a visit

Will West Meet East?and found that my little Idaho wassurrounded by houses on two-acre plots, and each housewas surrounded by it�s own�Posted,� �No Trespassing�and �Do Not Enter� signs.I think the �interior� is stillintact, but I couldn�t get into know whether or not itstill existed.

So, I moved to New Mexico.I finally did make it out West,only to find that more and moreplaces like my little Idaho backeast are getting broken by roads,cleared of trees, and fenced up,built upon and heavily trod (usuallyby cattle). Luckily though, therestill are some places that do offerthe solitude and natural wondersI longed for as a kid.

But, what if West meets East?What if there are no places leftfor kids to dream about? �Neverhappen,� you say? Well take a look,for example, at Otero Mesa where the

Bush Administration has designs for tensof thousands of gas exploration wellswhich will surely to be surrounded by, yeah, you guessed it, �Posted,� �No

Trespassing� and �Do Not Enter� signs. Not to mention the network of roads and accompanying power lines and radio towers and every

thing else that comes with energy exploration. There are many examplessimilar to this�in Arizona, Colorado,Wyoming and Montana to name a few.Starting to sound like the Catskills,Appalachians and Adirondacks huh?

So, what�s my point? I hope that wecan keep the last few remaining wildplaces intact, starting right here at homein New Mexico. A place where Wilder-ness still exists. A place that I still dreamabout when I�m sitting in my �little boxat the top of the stairs� (thanks Neil).Well, I guess this rant and rave boilsdown to one main point�I sincerelyhope that West does not meet East.

�James BroskaNMWA Member

Letterto the Editor

Iam a senior citizen, 75 yearsold. I have lived through times

of feast and famine on theAmerican land. Over most ofthese years, I have seen a terriblechange in the attitude of muchof the American population. Thecurrent greed ripping across ourcountry is hard to swallow, and Ifeel cheated by my President, myCongress, by my Supreme Court.Tearing apart our countryside ina totally unnecessary quest foroil, gas and minerals where natu-ral life will be destroyed and theland and its wonderful featuresalso stolen. I am being robbed bythose who pretend to protect me.

�James BradfordAlbuquerque, NM

The young boy who listened to his father�s stories with ears as keen as a fox grew up to enjoy all things. His fathertold him that everything has some sort of story to tell. Once the boy heard this, he began to listen to everything.One day the boy was out on the mesa behind his family�s house. He was testing his ears on everything he came

across. He heard the grass of the mesa swaying. He heard the wind swooshing. The boy then picked up a rock and heldit close to his ear. He heard nothing. He thought that maybe the rock was shy. He then spoke softly, �I am patient. I willwait for you to speak to me.�

To the boy�s surprise, the rock eventually did speak to him, once it knew he was patient. All of rock�s stories requirepatience. The boy began to apply his newly found skill to all rocks. They all had different stories to tell. The boybegan to carry shiny rocks in his pockets during school hours. Sometimes, his sweaty hands turned the surface darkwith moisture.

The children at his school did not understand his skill of listening to rocks. They asked impatiently what the rockswere saying. The boy had a hard time answering them, because the rocks did not speak the same language as thechildren. Only he seemed to know their language.

The boy�s father understood his son�s skill. The boy�s father had once been touched by the stories his father had toldhim and his sister. The boy�s father said, �Once I listened to birds as you now listen to rocks.�

The boy understood. The boy then asked, �Why have you stopped listening to the birds?�His father replied, �The birds told me to listen to you as I had once listened to them,� and the boy understood.

�by Joshua WillisNMWA volunteer

The Young Boy Who Listened


Inventory Update

For almost three years now, NMWAhas been conducting an inventoryof BLM lands in New Mexico (see

Call of the Wild Spring 2002). The primaryfocus to this point has been documenta-tion of roads and human impacts. Thisinformation has allowed us to deter-mine if an area is free enough fromimpacts to qualify for Wilderness desig-nation and, if so, what the boundariesshould be. Many NMWA members haveput in countless thousands of hourshelping us draw the boundaries fornearly 160 units! We are now preparingwrite-ups for each unit�which providesnew opportunities to get involved andhelp protect Wilderness.

While impacts documentation definesthe boundaries of a unit, write-ups lookwithin these boundaries and discuss

the characteristics and values of the unitthat make it worthy of Wilderness desig-nation. NMWA has developed a tem-plate for these write-ups�it is thistemplate that Annette Ahlander usedfor her write-up of the Sierra de la Cruzunit near Socorro (see below).

When Annette first contacted us toask how she could get involved, we toldher about the need for write-ups. Happyto head out to the wilds of New Mexicowith a purpose, she spent an entire dayin the Sierra de la Cruz unit. She didshort hikes to many spots in the unit,keeping notes on plants, animals andother features. For lunch, she climbedto a prominent spot and took in every-thing around her. Inspired, she tooksome time to write about Sierra de laCruz in her own words. She then gave

A rea Description�Sierra de la Cruz is located 13 miles northeast of Socorro,in the central part of New Mexico. It is adjacent to Veranito, Stallion and

La Montenera Proposed Wilderness Areas and encompasses striking red rockcliffs in a transitional Chihuahuan Desert. Sierra de la Cruz is an importantroadless unit in the Quebradas complex of proposed Wilderness areas becauseits central location serves to link three other Wilderness units. A maintained dirtroad that breaks off from the Quebradas Backcountry Byway provides accessto the unit.

Wilderness CharacteristicsUnit Size�The Citizens� Wilderness Proposal for the Sierra de la Cruz unit

encompasses 9,237 acres of land managed by the BLM. The addition of justover 2,123 acres of state trust lands within the proposed boundaries bringsthe total Wilderness unit to 11,360 acres.

Naturalness�The Sierra de la Cruz unit appears natural and has maintainedits primeval character and influence. There was a brilliant green cast fromthe creosote and a soft jade green from immature mesquite over the westernportion of the unit. The spidery ocotillo in bloom stood in contrast to thegracefully carved sandstone cliffs, which are characteristic of the ColoradoPlateau. The only developments in the unit include:

�a stock pond in the western portion of the area;�another stock pond and windmill in the eastern portion right along

the main road; and�a small, very old, abandoned mine near Sierra de la Cruz (the unit�s

namesake feature).These minor developments are not a detraction from the natural qualities ofthe land because of their small size, rustic qualities and, in the case of themine, topographic screening.

Outstanding Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Type ofRecreation�The Sierra de la Cruz unit provides outstanding opportunities forsolitude. The calm is only occasionally broken by the drone of commercialjets. Enduring quiet ensures that the music of birds singing in the trees is whatyou will hear. The vastness of the terrain leads you to feel that you are theonly person out there. Sierra de la Cruz is a wonderful place to collect one�sthoughts for writing and poetry.

Outstanding opportunities for primitive and unconfined recreation in theunit include:

�vegetative study, due to its transitional nature;�photography�striking red rocks, unique geological features and

grand vistas;�hiking;�rock hounding; and�bird watching�particularly for raptors who nest in the abundant cliffs

in the area.

Supplemental ValuesScenic�One can sit under an incredibly blue sky dotted with cumulus clouds

creating a patchwork effect over the striking red rock escarpments. Lookingwest from Sierra de la Cruz provides an excellent view of the Sierra Ladronesrising dramatically from the Rio Grande. On the horizon, one can see theManzanos and the Sandias to the north, Stallion Peak to the east, the SanMateos and the Oscuras to the south, the Magadalena Mountains to the west,and Mount Taylor to the northwest.

EcologicalVegetation�piñon and juniper, large hackberry tree next to a windmill,

birchleaf mountain mahogany, mesquite, desert holly, creosote, rabbit brush(sparse), four-wing saltbush, Apache plume, squawbush, Indian tea (cota),banana yucca, narrow-leaf yucca, bear grass, ocotillo (mostly on south-fac-ing slopes, especially at west entrance of the unit); cacti�cane cholla, pen-cil cholla, prickly pear (Opuntia sp.), hedgehog (Echinocereus sp.), groundcover variety (Echinocactus sp.); snakeweed, blue gramma (very stressed)

Wildlife�Mammals�non-native cattle (mostly Black Angus); native hares,long-tailed squirrels, pika. Birds�raptors: Chihuahuan raven, turkey vul-tures, Swainson�s hawk, night hawks, kestrel; others: red-shafted northernflicker in a juniper snag, western meadowlark (recognized the call), juvenilefox sparrow in creosote, finches and warblers in the piñon/juniper, dark-eyed juncos, hummingbirds. Reptiles�horned lizard, blue whiptail lizards.Arachnids/Insects�jumping spider, giant red wasps, pale green inchwormin the junipers (moth larva), dragonflies, flying ants and the queen in a juni-per snag, small black ants, grasshoppers, flying black beetles (similar in ap-pearance to invasive Japanese beetle, very aggressive), house flies, deerflies.

Personal Writing�Sometimes I think I�m better at describing the otherworldlythan concrete aspects of Wilderness. What first drew me to the natural worldwas the mysterious balance between the tangible and the intangible, and thecomplex design of every living thing. There is a wonderful order, rightness, inthis land (overgrazing notwithstanding), and an overall symmetry brought aboutby the asymmetry of each single element�a community of individuals; an in-terrelatedness, interconnectedness. The aesthetic and spiritual beauty of thisland brings me peace and allows my troubled heart to rest. Artists, poets, phi-losophers, teachers, writers, photographers and spiritual devotees would allbenefit from the inspiring vistas and the incredible sense of tranquility of Sierrade la Cruz. The deepest places in our souls require the silence and vastness ofWilderness. In my opinion, this BLM unit more than qualifies for Wildernessprotection. I feel at home here. And home, for me, is where heaven and earthmeet face to face.

�by Annette AhlanderNMWA Volunteer

Unit Write-ups Needed to CompleteCitizen�s Wilderness Proposal

thought to the unit�s characteristics andvalues as defined by the 1964 Wilder-ness Act�size, naturalness, outstandingopportunities for solitude or primitiveand unconfined recreation, supplemen-tal values. All the while, she was takingphotographs of the unit�s features, fromthe grand landscapes, to the cactus inbloom, to the fossilized ripples on agreen boulder in a drainage. In additionto photos, Annette helped us completethe last details of our impacts inventory,adding an old mine that we had not yetdocumented.

Annette later organized her notes intothe template we provided and devel-oped her photos. Thanks to her, theSierra de la Cruz folder is now com-plete�field work, write-up, and photos.

Now we need you! There are stillnearly 130 units without a com-

pleted write-up. Call us to find out whatstill needs to be done. Pick a new placeor a favorite place, and head out therefor a day or two. Many of these unitsare currently not recognized as Wilder-ness Study Areas, nor do they have anyother protective status. The only waythey will be protected is throughcommitted grassroots involvement.

For more information, call MichaelScialdone or Matt Clark in Albuquerque(505/843-8696), or Greg Magee or JimScanlon in Las Cruces (505/527-9962).

�by Michael ScialdoneNMWA Northern Field Coordinator

Sierra de la Cruz Wilderness Characteristics


Wild ScienceBeyond Fossil Fuels and Into Wilderness

If all 12 natural-gas-fired power plants are built,264 million gallons of water will be taken away

from our communities and farmers.

E very time we step off the asphaltand into nature, we intuitivelybecome aware of the distinctive

presence of Wilderness. Unlike manyparts of the Lower 48, we in NewMexico can take pride in knowing thatthe teeming cities and rural towns inwhich we live are surrounded by aunique world of new discovery andadventure. A world of pronghorn herdsroaming Chihuahuan grasslands andbig horn sheep scurrying up mountainpeaks. Unfortunately, these areas andmany others are being threatened bycertain industries, whose unsustainablepractices continue to degrade NewMexico�s Wilderness and open space.Across the Land of Enchantment,extractive industries such as oil and gascontinue to use political muscle in pur-suit of profits. Fortunately, a viable alter-native now stands on the horizon, with

and other western states, while provid-ing jobs, cleaning-up the environment,generating revenue for the State andcreating a more balanced economy.

Numerous agencies, including theU.S. Department of Energy (DOE), esti-mate that New Mexico�s wind-resourcepotential is 435 billion kilowatt-hours/year�25 times the State�s annual con-sumption of 17 billion kilowatt-hours.A single wind turbine is capable ofsupplying more than 350 thousandkilowatt-hours/day�enough electricityto power 350 average homes that use1,000 kilowatt-hours/day. Wind energyis also more affordable than coal andnatural gas electricity�in recent years,wind power has cost three-tenths ofa cent ($0.003)/kilowatt-hour.

In addition to all of the positiveaspects of wind energy, there is an evenbetter characteristic of this sustainable

lion in wages and salaries. The countiescould also receive annual gross receipttax revenues of more than $280,000each. Therefore, the economic benefitsof renewable energy could displace alarge portion of revenue generated bythe oil and gas industry, if New Mexicomakes a long-term commitment torenewable energy.

Although fossil-fuel production isreaching record highs in New Mexico,demand for this energy remains muchlower than production. There is, there-fore, no need for the excessive develop-ment of these resources. A report issuedby Ecos Consulting (a national basedfirm dedicated to leveraging the powerof the market to create a better environ-ment) presents strong evidence of thebenefits of investing in renewableenergy, instead of excessive fossil-fueldevelopment.

[R]enewable energy alternativessuch as wind... would provide thesame amount of electricity thatcould be generated from OteroMesa�s natural gas in a clean andeconomic way. New Mexico ranks12th in wind resources in the UnitedStates, but generates less than onepercent (<1%) of its electricity fromrenewable resources. Since 1995,Texas has been using the windresource just 30 miles southeast ofOtero Mesa to power 10,000

for successful solar development inthe world.

While solar is still more expensivethan other renewable technologies, it israpidly becoming more affordable. Infact, prices for photovoltaic panels havedropped from $80/watt in the 1970sto around $4-5/watt today.

resource. Wind-energy developmentwould not affect any existing or poten-tial Wilderness areas, for the majority ofpotential wind energy in New Mexicois on the eastern plains, which is mainlyprivate and state land.

According to a report that examinedthe potential economic impacts of com-mercial wind power development infive New Mexico counties (NM Energy,Minerals and Natural Resource Depart-ment; EMNRD), construction andimplementation of five 40-megawattwind-power facilities on the easternplains would support an estimated 700full-time jobs for one year. The averageannual wage for each job is estimatedto be $25,000-$35,000.

In addition to individual salaries,landowners with a 40-megawatt windfacility could receive a royalty of$150,000 annually. A farmer with justone wind turbine on his land couldreceive an incentive of $2,000 annuallyfor the entire lifetime of the turbine. Incases where the land is owned by NewMexicans, the landowners are likely tospend some of their additional incomeinstate, generating further economicbenefits within the State.

In Eddy and Lea counties, where alarge number of jobs, and significantcounty revenues and property taxes aregenerated by the energy sectors of themining industry (principally oil andgas), the construction and implementa-tion of a wind facility could provideoutstanding results for local residentsand businesses. According to the sameEMNRD report, nearly $20 millioncould be spent in county sales for con-struction goods. More than 200 localjobs could be supported for one year,potentially earning more than $6 mil-

homes. Texas has plans for 10 timesthat amount of wind power for theregion in the near term�the result ofa state renewable energy initiative.New Mexico gubernatorial candi-date Bill Richardson has proposeda similar initiative for New Mexico.

Ecos consulting went on to say,Taken together, energy efficiencyand renewable energy options repre-sent a viable, economically attrac-tive alternative to drilling in OteroMesa. They also point the way tonational energy and lands policiesin which the interests of consumers,schoolchildren, outdoor enthusiastsand future generations are carefullyweighed with those of the oil andgas industry to deliver outcomes thatare truly in the national interest.

Another reason why New Mexicoshould move away from unnecessaryfossil-fuel production is that we experi-ence approximately 3,200 hours ofsunshine every year. Solar energy isanother renewable resource that couldprovide New Mexico with jobs andclean energy, and generate revenuefor our State. According to DOE, thesouthwestern United States, particularlyNew Mexico, has the greatest potential

the spirit of Wilderness, the strength ofthe sun and the wisdom of the wind, todisplace New Mexico�s strongest andwealthiest industry�Fossil Fuels.

Thirteen new power plants, 12 ofthem natural-gas-fired, are scheduled tobe constructed in New Mexico. Everynatural-gas-fired power plant guzzlesmore than 22 million gallons of water/year. If all 12 natural-gas-fired powerplants are built, 264 million gallons ofwater will be taken away from our com-munities and farmers, to supply powerto other western states and fatten spe-cial interest wallets. Likewise, for everycoal-fired power plant, of which threeexist and a fourth is underway, 30,150tons of emissions are discharged intoour expansive blue skies every year.

The hidden costs of excessive devel-opment are reflected not only in ourair quality and precious water supplies,but also on our wild public lands andpotential Wilderness areas. To fullydevelop resources such as coal or natu-ral gas, industry must usually establishan industrial city, complete with hun-dreds of miles of roads, power lines,pipelines, drilling machinery and toxicwaste ponds that, combined, havean unprecedented impact on wildlifehabitat, human health and a balancedeconomic future.

Regardless of all the political cloutwielded by industry, a straightforwardanswer to preserving wild lands likeOtero Mesa exists. Renewable Energyis an exciting reality that demands theimmediate attention and action of NewMexico delegates, utility companiesand, most importantly, New Mexicans.

Renewable resources have an enor-mous potential to provide clean, effi-cient, affordable energy to New Mexico

According to the U.S. Department of Energy,...New Mexico has the greatest potential

for successful solar development in the world.

The potential benefits of renewableenergy in New Mexico are waiting tobloom. Fuel-cell vehicles, solar andgeothermal power, biomass and windturbines are here today. Sadly, placeslike Otero Mesa may not be here formuch longer, if shortsighted, politicallydriven, fossil-fuel industries continue todictate what is �best� for our citizens,our State and our future.

Harnessing the potential economicand environmental benefits of renew-able resources is a viable solution topreserving New Mexico�s natural heri-tage, while meeting the growing energydemands of the new millennium. TheLand of Enchantment deserves theprotection of its dynamic ecosystems,unique spirit and unparalleled land-scapes�not the exploitation of them.More importantly, every New Mexicandeserves the opportunity to fully experi-ence Wilderness, for it issues the imagi-nation into a never-ending theatre thatechoes last summer�s monsoon pouringlife into the desert, and promises thebirths of endangered aplomado falconsin the steep escarpments and yuccavalleys of the Greater Otero Mesa.

�by Nathan NewcomerNMWA Volunteer


Feature

T he fight to protect New Mexico�swildest Grassland from oil and gasdevelopment has entered a crucial

stage. Our efforts so far have delayedthe implementation of the Final Envi-ronmental Impact Statement (EIS) andhave forced the Bureau of Land Man-agement (BLM) to listen more intentlyto our concerns and those of tribes (theMescalero and Tigua) that have histori-cal and cultural claims to the GreaterOtero Mesa Area.

At the urging of the BLM�s ResourceAdvisory Council (RAC)�a citizen�sadvisory group�the agency hasattempted, over the past few months,to find a consensus on moving forwardwith its Final EIS. What the BLM pro-posed was that the New Mexico Wilder-ness Alliance sit down with representa-tives from the oil and gas industry,Otero County Commissioners, ranchersand the BLM and try to hammer outan agreement concerning the fate ofOtero Mesa.

The BLM and �Mediation�Because this proposed course of

action left many parties that supportprotection of this wild grassland (thetribes, conservation and sportsmangroups) out of the meetings, in earlyAugust 2002, the Otero Mesa Coalitionand the New Mexico Wilderness Alli-ance declined further offers to sit downand attempt to mediate the situation.The reality had become all too clear�the BLM, under what appears to begreat pressure from the current Admin-istration, remains unwilling to do areinventory of the 1.2-million-acreGreater Otero Mesa Area for its Wilder-ness potential. Also, real science, as itpertains to fragmentation of the land-scape and potential restoration, has notbeen initiated. There is no documenta-tion that restoration after oil and gasdevelopment has ever proven to be suc-cessful in this harsh, arid ChihuahuanDesert landscape.

The groups involved in the mediationwere stacked heavily in favor of oil andgas development. While a better under-

Otero Mesa Update�www.oteromesa.orgstanding of various groups can be posi-tive, the makeup of this working groupclearly would not advance our cleargoal of Wilderness protection for theGreater Otero Mesa Area.

Washington, DC UpdateIn July 2002, a group of citizens and

conservationists went to Washington,DC to brief the New Mexico Delegationon the importance of protecting OteroMesa. The highlight was a personalmeeting with Senator Bingaman. Duringthe meetings, NMWA introduced theDelegation to its 191-page Citizens�Wilderness Proposal for the Greater

Wildlife UpdateSeveral months ago, more than 100

volunteers went out to see Otero Mesafirsthand. Some in the group identifiedactive prairie-dog colonies in the grass-land. Several weeks ago, we revisitedthose sites and discovered fresh shotguncasings and only a couple of survivingprairie dogs. We pulled dead birds outof stock tanks that did not have propercoverings. This is just a preview of whatcould occur if development were totake place in the Greater Otero MesaArea, where monitoring and enforce-ment of existing laws remain practicallynon-existent.

Write Now!

Your letters are making the differ-ence in this campaign! For the

most current information, or for morebackground on this issue, see the coa-lition web site (www.oteromesa.org).

Please write today!

Senator Jeff Bingaman703 Hart Senate Office BuildingU.S. SenateWashington, DC 20510

Senator Pete Domenici328 Hart Senate Office BuildingU.S. SenateWashington, DC 20510

We cannot emphasize enoughhow important it is

that you take the time to write our Senatorsagain.

Otero Mesa�Crow Flats Region. Wespread maps out across conferencetables and called attention to specificareas and their ecological values. Theover-all response was positive, andthe delegation is clearly now betterinformed. Now, more work and espe-cially more letters from their constitu-ents is crucial to the protection of OteroMesa.

BLM Resource Advisory CouncilOn Friday, August 9, the BLM RAC

held its quarterly meeting in Farming-ton, New Mexico. The BLM RAC isa citizens group that was created bythe Clinton Administration to allow formore local input into decisions on fed-eral lands. The RAC makes recommen-dations to the BLM but does not have

legal authority. Several hours of thismeeting were set aside for discussionon Otero Mesa�specifically:

� to study the process that culmi-nated in certain groups (environ-mental) declining to come intomediation, and

�to see where to go from this point.RAC members also questioned the BLMabout why it has failed to offer a no-drillalternative for Otero Mesa. In addition,many questions were raised concerningthe biological importance of the area,and the real need to put Wilderness ona level playing field with oil and gasdevelopment as true alternatives. Whilethe BLM can ignore these requests, it isclear that public pressure is beginningto impact the process.

MediaIn early August 2002, NMWA

launched its new television commercialaimed at protecting Otero Mesa. Thestars of the commercial are former oilworker Roy Dearing and his wifeLouise. The Dearings are a specialcouple who came to our attention whileworking on the Otero Mesa campaign(see accompanying article). The com-mercial will run for several monthsprimarily on cable television. So far,the reaction has been very positive�hits to our Otero Mesa web site havealready tripled!

We have also just received the first ofwhat we hope will be many editorialendorsements on Otero Mesa. In astrongly worded piece, the Sante FeNew Mexican (August 10, 2002) askedboth of our Senators to create Wilder-ness, not oil development, on OteroMesa!

The campaign to protect Otero Mesacontinues to gain momentum. The BLMclearly wants to issue a Final EIS. Withthe Tribes� engagement on this issue,however, and more public scrutiny onOtero Mesa, it now appears that the Fi-nal EIS will not come out until February2003, giving us a crucial window ofopportunity to make the case forWilderness protection!

After the Final EIS is issued, there willbe a 60-day protest period after whichdrilling could begin. We cannot empha-size enough how important it is that youtake the time to write our Senatorsagain, urging them to require the BLM:

�to delay implementation of theFinal EIS, and

�to undertake a new WildernessInventory of the 1.2-million-acreGreater Otero Mesa Area.

There are simply too many questionsthat remain unanswered about thepotential impacts of development.

What we do clearly understand isthat Otero Mesa represents a largeand biologically important portion ofChihuahuan Desert Grassland andsome of greatest remaining Wildernessin New Mexico!

�by Stephen CapraNMWA Wilderness Campaigns


Feature

T he Greater Otero Mesa�Crow FlatsRegion of southern Otero County,New Mexico is a vast, largely

undeveloped landscape approximately75 miles northeast of El Paso, Texasand 85 miles west of Carlsbad, NewMexico. No major towns exist withinthis region that encompasses approxi-mately one million acres, a large per-centage of which is public land. It isbordered by McGregor Military Reser-vation on the west, the SacramentoMountains on the north, the GuadalupeMountains on the east, and the Texasstate line on the south. At present, live-stock grazing is the predominant use ofthe land in the region.

The diverse landscape in this regionencompasses:

�limestone mountains dissectedby deep serpentine canyons,

�steep escarpments rising thousandsof feet to the Sacramento andGuadalupe Mountains,

�the igneous Cornudas Mountainsthat emerge dramatically fromthe desert floor,

�rolling hills, and�one of the largest expanses of

Chihuahuan Desert grasslandsin New Mexico.

These special grasslands and theirsurrounding landscape provide idealhabitat for a number of species ofconcern including:

�blacktailed prairie dogs;�bald eagles;�Aplomado falcons;�ferruginous hawks;�mountain plovers; and�a unique pronghorn herd that,

unlike other herds throughoutNew Mexico, is native tothe area and notreintroduced.

Mule deer, golden eagles,bobcats, coyotes andmountain lions also callthese lands home. Inaddition, potential nest-ing habitat for the Ameri-can peregrine falcon andpotential reintroductionsites for desert bighornsheep exist here.

Not only does theGreater Otero Mesa�Crow Flats region serveas important wildlifehabitat, it also serves asan important wildlife cor-ridor, connecting criticalexpanses of wildlands,including the Sacramentoand Guadalupe Moun-tains (Lincoln NationalForest, Carlsbad Cavernsand Guadalupe Moun-tains National Park).Protecting appropriatepublic lands within this

region as Wilderness is critical to main-tain the continuity of this importantecosystem. Wilderness designation willalso safeguard a much needed source ofprimitive recreation and quiet refuge of-fered by these areas. Protection of theseremaining wildlands now is crucial topreserving the long-term quality of lifefor the citizens of southern NewMexico. Thus, the Greater Otero Mesa�Crow Flats region is important to pro-tect for both human and biotic commu-nities alike.

In addition to containing exceptionalscenic, biological, geological, historicaland prehistoric values, the GreaterOtero Mesa�Crow Flats complex ofproposed Wilderness areas encompassoutstanding Wilderness-quality lands. Ithas been 22 years since BLM performedits intensive Wilderness inventory. Manyof BLM�s original arguments againstWilderness study are no longer valid.

The significant new information sup-ported by the 1999-2002 New MexicoWilderness Alliance (NMWA) inventorystrongly suggests that BLM shouldreconsider this region for Wildernessstudy by doing another inventory.

BLM�s Initial InventoryThe BLM conducted intensive

inventory for only five of the units in theGreater Otero Mesa�Crow Flats region.All other units were dropped duringthe initial inventory.

In the �New Mexico WildernessReview�Initial Inventory Decision,�(BLM July 1979), the agency droppedmost units in this region because �thearea obviously lacked Wilderness char-acteristics.� In most cases, there is noevidentiary support for this statement.NMWA�s 1999-2002 inventory foundthat many of the units that weredropped do indeed contain outstandingWilderness characteristics.

BLM�s Intensive InventoryOf the five units intensively invento-

ried, only one Wilderness Study Area

(WSA) was designated. Reasons citedby BLM for dropping the other units aregenerally subjective and not supportedby current on-the-ground information.

In some cases, BLM used �jeep trails�and other vehicular routes to countagainst the area�s �naturalness.� Most ofthese routes are substantially unnotice-able and do not meet BLM�s definitionof a road. These types of �develop-ments� are allowed under the guide-lines established in the agency�s Wilder-ness Inventory Handbook.

In the New Mexico Wilderness StudyArea Decisions (November 1980), BLMstates that certain units �do[es] notappear to be natural.� Informationobtained by NMWA�s 1999-2002 inven-tory, however, indicates a high degreeof naturalness within these units.Human developments that are allowedunder the Wilderness Inventory Hand-book guidelines are included in theCitizens� Wilderness Proposal.

The BLM report also states that cer-tain units �lack[s] outstanding opportu-nities for solitude and primitive andunconfined recreation.� These state-ments are contradicted by statementsin BLM�s Otero County Area of CriticalEnvironmental Concern (ACEC) report(August 1997), as well as by informa-tion obtained by NMWA�s 1999-2002inventory, which both indicate thatplentiful opportunities for solitude andprimitive and unconfined types of recre-ation can be found in the proposedWilderness areas.

The Citizens� Wilderness ProposalMost regularly maintained roads and

other significant human impacts,including livestock developments, areexcluded from the Citizens� WildernessProposal. Human impacts excludedfrom the boundaries cannot countagainst the area�s �naturalness� or�[W]ilderness character.�

Human impacts that are included inthe Citizens� WildernessProposal are generally mi-nor and substantially un-noticeable due to topo-graphic and/or vegetativescreening. These types of�developments� are al-lowed under the Wilder-ness Inventory Handbookguidelines.

�Routes� that areincluded within the Citi-zens� Wilderness Proposalshould be closed or desig-nated for �permit accessonly� to prevent futuredegradation of the publicresource.

Better unit configura-tion and easier manage-ability can be achievedby BLM through landexchanges.

�by NMWA Staff

The significant new informationsupported by the 1999-2002

New Mexico Wilderness Alliance inventorystrongly suggests that

BLM should reconsider this regionfor Wilderness study

by doing another inventory.

This summary is excerpted from the 191-page document called the Citizens�Wilderness Proposal for the Greater Otero Mesa�Crow Flats Region that was

presented to the congressional delegation in July 2002.

Otero Mesa�Citizens� Wilderness Proposal


Wilderness News

McKinley County CommissionSupports Cabezon Wilderness

On August 13, 2002, the McKinley County Commission passed a resolutionin support of the Coalition for New Mexico Wilderness proposal to protect

some 210,000 acres of Wilderness around Cabezon Peak. With more than70,000 acres of the proposal in McKinley County, this sends a clear messageto our delegation that there is local support for the Cabezon Country proposal.

The passage of the resolution would not have been possible without thework of Arturo Sandoval, VOCES, Inc. and his team, so let�s hear it for Arturoand all of the other Coalition members who have worked so hard for theprotection of Cabezon as Wilderness.

Apoll released on August 13, 2002found that a strong majority ofNew Mexico voters support pro-

tecting more public land in the Stateas Wilderness areas. The statewide poll,commissioned by the Coalition forNew Mexico Wilderness and conductedby Research and Polling, Inc. of Albu-querque, was based on telephone inter-views with 600 New Mexico votersconducted from June 26 to July 8, 2002.The poll has a margin of error of ± 4%.*Those polled were informed that, indesignated Wilderness areas, activitiessuch as hiking, camping, hunting andfishing are allowed, but other activitiessuch as mining, drilling, logging andoff-road vehicle use are prohibited.

The poll found that:�More than half (59%) of respon-

dents would support a proposalthat would set aside more publiclands in New Mexico as Wilder-ness, while only one-quarter (27%)said they were opposed.

�More than half (61%) said theywould be more likely to vote forsomeone who supported designat-ing more public land in NewMexico as Wilderness, while onlyone-quarter (26%) said they wouldbe less likely to vote for someonefor that reason.

�More than three-quarters (79%) ofvoters said conservation and envi-ronmental issues were importantto them when deciding whichcandidates to support.

�A clear majority of voters (57%)said New Mexico does not haveenough Wilderness protected,while 35% said the right amountwas protected, and only 5% feelthere is too much Wilderness.

The amount of Wilderness in NewMexico is very low when comparedto other western states (e.g., Arizonawhere more than 6% of the land is des-ignated as Wilderness, and Californiawhere Wilderness areas comprise 13%of state land). Currently, only 2.2% ofthe land in New Mexico is designatedas Wilderness, leaving much of theState�s deserts, grasslands and canyonsunprotected.

�Two thirds of those polledbelieved that at least three timesthat much land (6% or more) wasalready protected as Wilderness.

�Clearly, most New Mexicans over-estimate the amount of land that is cur-rently protected as Wilderness areas inNew Mexico, and most people wouldlike to see more lands be designated asWilderness,� said Brian Sanderoff ofResearch and Polling, Inc.

�This poll confirms that voters in NewMexico are solidly behind significant

wilderness protections,� said JessicaPope of the New Mexico WildernessAlliance.

�Wilderness is part of our culturaland natural heritage here in NewMexico, and it comes as no surprisethat a clear majority of New Mexicanswant to see these lands and all that theyrepresent to the people of New Mexicoprotected for future generations,� saidArturo Sandoval, owner of VOCES, Inc.,an Albuquerque-based small business.

The poll also found that support forWilderness crossed political andcultural lines:

�Nearly half of Republican voters(48%) said that they support a pro-posal to designate more Wildernessin the State, while only one-third ofRepublicans (35%) were opposed.

�Furthermore, a majority of Demo-crats (66%) and Independents(70%) and two-thirds of Hispanicvoters support setting aside morepublic lands as Wilderness areas,as do the majority of Anglo voters(54%).

Another public opinion survey of His-panic registered voters in New Mexico,

Majority of New Mexicans Support More WildernessProtection, According to New Poll

By a 2-to-1 margin,voters say they would support

a proposal to protect more Wilderness.

conducted in May 2002 by Bendixenand Associates, also documentedsupport for Wilderness protectionamong Hispanic voters specifically.That survey found that:

�nearly three-quarters (72%) ofHispanic voters would supporta proposal that would increasethe amount of Wilderness inNew Mexico.

In Sandoval County�Nearly two-thirds (64%) of regis-

tered voters in Sandoval Countydo not believe there is currentlyenough land in New Mexico setaside as Wilderness areas.

�Two-thirds of voters in SandovalCounty say they either stronglysupport (52%) or somewhat support(14%) a proposal to set aside morepublic land in New Mexico asWilderness. Less than one-in-fivevoters (17%) are opposed to thisproposal, and 10% say it depends.

�Approximately two-thirds of votersin Sandoval County say they areeither much more likely (37%)or somewhat more likely (28%)to vote for an elected official whosupports designating more publicland in New Mexico as Wildernessareas. Less than one-quarter (22%)of voters are less likely to vote fora candidate who supports thisproposal.

�The plurality (45%) of SandovalCounty voters say a candidate�sposition on environmental issues isvery important or a primary factorwhen deciding whether or not tovote for that person. Another 38%say it is somewhat important or oneof several issues they consider. Lessthan one-in-five voters say environ-mental issues are either not veryimportant (13%) or not at all impor-tant (4%) when choosing betweentwo candidates in an election.

This survey was conducted at theheight of the fire season in which vastareas of the Southwest were eitherburning or in extreme danger of fire.During this time, some individuals wereplacing blame for the fires and condi-tion of the forests squarely on the shoul-ders of the government�s land-manage-ment policies. Yet, by a two-to-onemargin, New Mexico voters said thatthey supported setting aside more landas Wilderness in New Mexico.

�There is broad support for ensuringthe wild and open spaces that helpdefine New Mexico and our manycultures be conserved. We look forwardto working with people across the Stateto permanently protect many of our lastremaining Wilderness areas,� said JimScarantino, Chair of the Coalition forNew Mexico Wilderness.

�by Sean SavilleNMWA Grassroots Organizer

* A copy of the poll methodology isavailable upon request.

40%

16%


Flora and Fauna

E ver seen a mountain lion (aka:cougar, puma) in the wild? Only afew lucky people have. If you have

spent much time in the backcountry, thechances are good that a mountain lionhas seen you! They have an uncannyability to hide or slip away undetected.I have seen only one, but I was standingnext to lion researcher, Dr. Ken Logan,who had a receiver and the cat waswearing a radio collar�I consider thatcheating. My hiking partner saw twoin Yellowstone National Park as werounded a creek bend deep in the back-country, but they vanished before I hada chance to see them. I have encoun-tered plenty of sign (scrapes and scat),especially in the Gila Wilderness, butI�m still waiting with great anticipationfor my first real, unaided wild sighting.Perhaps my upcoming backpack intothe Aldo Leopold Wilderness will yieldsuch a long-awaited treat�the LeopoldWilderness is good lion habitat.

The mountain lion (Puma concolor)is widely distributed throughout NewMexico and is primarily associated withmountainous areas in habitats rangingfrom desert scrub to subalpine mead-ows. They prey primarily on large ungu-lates, especially deer and elk. Mountainlions require large protected core areas(like the Gila/Leopold and Pecos Wil-derness areas) for population persis-tence and they need safe linkages fortraveling between patches of suitablehabitat. The statewide population isbelieved to be in excess of 1,000 ani-mals, but lion populations are difficultto estimate. Ecologically, the mountainlion belongs to a suite of top predatorsthat serve to maintain ecosystem stabil-ity by preying on large ungulates andkeeping populations of smaller �meso-

predators� in check. Their presence inthe ecosystem promotes overall bio-logical diversity on a landscape scale.

If you are hiking in an area with goodpopulations of deer or elk, you areprobably in lion country. I�ve seen signin the Sandia Mountains within view ofthe City! Scrapes or scratches are madeby male lions and probably serve tomark territorial boundaries. Look fora small depression next to a pile ofground litter. Imagine taking both hands(simulated lion feet) and pulling theground litter for about a foot leaving itin a pile next to the scrape mark.Often scat may be observed nearscrapes. Mountain lion scat is about1.25 inches in diameter, contains hair,and often has chunky �tootsie roll�appearance. Tracks have a round outerperimeter and are about the diameterof a baseball (3.5 inches). The four toepads rarely leave claw impressions, andthe interdigital (�heel�) pad has two for-ward and three posterior lobes. If youfind a deer or elk carcass tucked undera bush with ground litter scraped overit, it�s time to look over your shoulderand ease on down the trail. Mountainlion attacks on humans are extremelyrare, but outdoor recreationists shouldknow what to do if they encounter one.I found some good mountain lion safetytips at the following web site (www.2ucsc.edu/police/liondoc1.html).

Happy mountain lion viewing! Ifyou�ve seen one, send us your story.

�by David R. ParsonsNMWA Board Member

Mountain Lion: Ghost Cat of the Wilderness

For a Closer Look at Wild Cats

Cats! Wild to Mild� is a special exhibit showing at the NM Museum ofNatural History and Science until 12 January 2003. This in-depth explora-

tion of all felines focuses on the biology, natural history and conservation ofboth domestic and wild cats. The exhibit includes an exceptionally large num-ber of small wild cats, many on display for the first time. No cats were killedfor this exhibit; all mounted cats were salvage cats who died naturally in zoosor animal wildlife refuges.

�Cats! Wild to Mild� is included in the regular museum admission price.The Museum is located at 1801 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NMand is accessible to persons with disabilities.

Several hours west of Otero Mesa lies another unique remnant desert grasslandthreatened by oil and gas development under BLM�s proposed Resource

Management Plan Amendment. The striking Nutt Grassland represents anincreasingly rare component to the Chihuahuan Desert�a semi-arid regiononce characterized by vast livestock ranches, herds of pronghorn antelope andmule deer, and dense flocks of meadowlarks and curlew. Today, the ChihuahuanDesert grasslands have largely been replaced by a shrubland that can no longersupport large herds of livestock or wildlife.

The Nutt Grassland is truly remarkable, because it is one of very few high-quality grasslands in this region that has remained free of shrub encroachment.If not for the dramatic mountains surrounding the area, a visitor to the NuttGrassland might believe s/he is traveling through the Great Plains.

The Nutt Grassland is 70 miles northwest of Las Cruces and 20 miles north-east of Deming, at the base of the Cooke�s Peak Wilderness Study Area. Asrecently as last summer, a wolf left the Gila Wilderness Area and traversed thearea, reminiscent of a time when they were common and frequented the areato hunt. The grassland is home for the Nutt antelope herd, numbering 150-200animals, which would be adversely affected by oil and gas development.Though antelope, mule deer and elk�which can be found along the westernborder near the Mimbres Mountains�are the most noticeable inhabitants, otherspecies such as coatis, box turtles, declining grassland songbirds, and nestingFerruginous and Swainson hawks also abound here. The Nutt Grassland ispotential habitat for the endangered Aplomodo falcon. In fact, Aplomodo fal-cons have returned and are attempting to nest just a few miles away. Whitetail

kites, unusual in New Mexico, frequent the grassland along with many otherspecies of birds that winter and forage in this healthy grassland community.

The Nutt Grasslands played an important part in New Mexico history. Indianslived and hunted here and left behind remarkable petroglyphs. In 1846, Lieuten-ant Colonel Phillip St. George Cooke and the Mormon Battalion crossed throughthe grassland and camped at a spring near a spectacular and distinctive peak thatnow bears Cooke�s name. A few years later, Fort Cummings was established toprotect emigrants bound for the promise of California.

A BLM Scenic Byway now takes visitors along a route that affords a vista ofthe Nutt Grassland, Cooke�s Peak, antelope herds, and the route along which theMormon Battalion crossed on its way to California. Visitors can also walk throughthe remains of old Fort Cummings.

The Nutt Grassland is, however, threatened by oil and gas development.Instead of breathtaking, open vistas filled with antelope, deer, birds and adiversity of other species, thegrassland may become an areaof wells, pipelines and wasteponds. The Nutt Grassland, likeOtero Mesa, is deserving ofprotection for future generationsof people and wildlife.

�by Randy GrayNMWA Board Member

Nutt Grassland

by permission of Westcliffe Publishers,from Along Colorado's Continental Divide


Get Involved

I n a cynical political move, westernpro-timber lawmakers includingSenators Pete Domenici (R-NM), John

Kyl (R-AZ), Larry Craig (R-ID), and a fewDemocrats including Diane Feinstein(D-CA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) proposeto exempt logging from environmentallaws behind a smokescreen of fire pro-tection. They claim that this will over-come challenges from environmentalgroups that stop fire protection for com-munities. The truth of the matter is thatenvironmentalists don�t oppose legiti-mate fire protection and that theseexemptions are really about getting intothe backcountry to log the last of ourbig old trees.

A rider will likely be attached to theupcoming Senate Interior Appropria-tions Bill. The details aren�t completelyclear, but credible sources confirm thatthese senators intend to offer sufficiencylanguage (exemption from NEPA,NFMA and judicial review) to projectsthat invoke community protection, fuelsreduction and/or forest restoration. Thefire issue is the last excuse these pro-timber senators and the Forest Servicehave to justify more logging.

It is critical to pull out all the stops tohead off this attempt to gut our environ-mental laws. The fire issue is the lastcredible-sounding excuse that thesepro-timber senators and the Forest Ser-vice have to justify more logging. Keylawmakers like Senator Jeff Bingaman(D-NM) (Chairman of Senate Energyand Natural Resources Committee)need to hear our support for their effortsto maintain and even strengthen our for-est laws. Senators Domenici, Kyl, Craig,Feinstein and Wyden have earned ouroutrage over this end run around forestprotection. It will be important for thesesenators to hear from you at their instateoffices or in Washington, DC.

Contact Senator Bingaman to thankhim for his leadership on forest protec-tion, and urge him to defend our forest-protection laws. Contact SenatorDomenici and tell him to protect ourforest protection laws.

For more information about theupcoming rider and other fire issues,contact Todd Schulke at the Center forBiogical Diversity (505/388-8799,[email protected]).

�by Todd SchulkeNMWA Board Member

Action Alert�Your Help Needed!

Pro-Logging Senators Are Using Fires to Gut LawsSample Letter

Dear Senator Bingaman,

I am writing you to express concern over an upcoming rider mandatingexemptions of �fuels reduction� projects from environmental laws and judi-

cial review in this year�s Interior Appropriations bill. I urge you lead the Senateto stop any upcoming attempts to eliminate public participation in protectingcommunities from fire and managing our national forests.

In a recent press event, Pete Domenici, Larry Craig, Jon Kyl and othersclaimed that opposition from environmentalists has held up progress on reduc-ing forest fuels. There is no credible evidence that the administrative and legalprocesses that allow citizen participation in management and protection ofour public forests are slowing down legitimate fuels-reduction efforts.

To the contrary, the conservation community strongly supports aggressive,focused efforts to reduce fire risk to communities and forests. There is clearscientific justification for prioritizing fire risk-reduction efforts near homes andcommunities�where they will do the most good. There is also evidence thatclearing brush and small trees may help in reducing the intensity of fire behav-ior, and facilitate use of safe and effective controlled fires to reduce the risk ofstand-replacing fires.

It is certain that many legitimate thinning and burning projects designed forcommunity protection and fire reduction go through the public process withno challenges. In fact, many of these projects have so little impact that theydon�t even need to go through full environmental review. Efficient authoritiessuch as categorical exclusions and decision memos are often appropriate toolsfor analyzing the effects of these environmentally benign projects.

Projects that get challenged invariably involve logging of large mature andold trees often under the guise of fuels reduction. As you know, these trees arefire-resistant and are very important wildlife habitat. Logging these valuabletrees is not effective at reducing fire risk but does reduce the ecologicalintegrity of our national forests.

I appreciate all the hard work you�ve done to protect our national forests.Once again, I urge you to continue the fight for the public�s opportunity toparticipate in decisions affecting our national forests. Elimination of publicparticipation will only increase controversy rather encouraging cooperationon these critical forest issues.

Sincerely,

Your Name

To contact Senator Jeff Bingaman:

In Albuquerque�Suite 130625 Silver Avenue, SWAlbuquerque, NM 87102505/346-6601

In Las Cruces�148 Loretto Towne Centre505 South MainLas Cruces, NM 88001505/523-6561

In Santa Fe�Suite 101119 East Marcy StreetSanta Fe, NM 87501505/988-6647

In Washington, DC�703 Hart Senate Office BuildingUnited States SenateWashington, DC 20510202/224-5521202/224-1792 (TDD)

To contact Senator Pete Domenici:

In Albuquerque�Suite 330625 Silver Avenue, SWAlbuquerque, NM 87102505/346-6791

In Las Cruces�505 South Main, Suite 118Loretto Towne CenterLas Cruces, NM 88001505/526-5475

In Santa Fe�120 South Federal PlaceSuite 302Santa Fe, NM 87501505/988-6511

In Washington, DC�328 Hart Senate Office BuildingUnited States SenateWashington, DC 20510-3101202/224-6621202/224-3844 (TTY/TDD)

Contacting Our NM Senators

R io Peñasco Watershed Project�The remote Sacramento Mountains

in southcentral New Mexico wereextensively logged in the early 20thCentury. The remaining old-growthand mature second-growth forests ofthe Sacramentos, however, harbor thedensest breeding population of Mexicanspotted owls in New Mexico, as well asrare and endemic species such as theSacramento Mountains salamander.The high percentage of private landswithin the area makes the need for firerisk-reduction acute and the complexi-ties of management more difficult.

The Rio Peñasco project is an enor-mous undertaking designed to reducefire hazard in the Sacramentos. Loggingwould occur on up to 50,000 acres inthe Lincoln National Forest, includingnearly 8,500 acres of commercial tim-ber sales. The Forest Service estimatesthat 17-60 million board feet of timberwould be generated from these sales, inwhich thousands of large trees wouldbe cut.

Rio Peñasco is one of twelve pilotlarge-scale watershed-restorationprojects initiated by former ForestService Chief Dombeck in 2000. Whileportions of the Rio Peñasco projectappear to be legitimate restorationefforts�thinning small-diameterunderstory trees on 30,000 acres�the inclusion of a 17-million-board-foot

timber sale that includes cutting largetrees betrays the vision of watershedrestoration that was the initial objectivefor the project.

In order to allow the necessarythinning of small-diameter trees,the Center for Biological Diversity hasproposed that the Forest Service issueseparate decision notices for the timbersale and thinning components of theproject.

A decision is expected this summer.Contact Project leader Mark Macfar-lane, Lincoln NF (505/682-2551).

Sheep Basin Restoration Project�In 1997, the Gila National Forest

ignited a storm of controversy with itsannouncement of the watershed-levelNegrito ecosystem plan, which pro-poses 15 timber sales totaling morethan 90 million board feet in volume.Five years later, in Spring 2002, the For-est Service issued a decision on theSheep Basin restoration project, the firsttimber sale to be released under theNegrito watershed plan.

Under the decision notice, 8 millionboard feet of ponderosa pine acrossnearly 4,000 acres would be logged.The Forest Service has already begunmarking the sale�and has markedmany old-growth ponderosa pines.

(continued on page 15)

Please Comment On ThinlyVeiled Old-Growth Sales


Gettin� Out There

A s I cruised along Highway 44,I was comforted by the cool clearair, buff and pink sandstone cliffs

illuminated by soft morning light, andthe bright reds of the NacimientoMountain Range. It was a new day filledwith possibility and anticipation, asI had been invited to join the Cotton-wood Gulch summer camp for a day ofWilderness education and exploration.

As I pulled up to Hunter�s Camp,I was warmly welcomed by threecounselors (one of whom was Jon Klar,a former, dedicated NMWA intern),and a group of 20 young �trekkers�ranging in age from 10-13. Their camp-site was ideal�easily accessible andlocated in the heart of the stunningCabezon countryside.

To the west and above their campsite,the geologic formation Boca del Osostood tall�a memorable landmark forthe young campers. With the brightlight of the morning now beating uponour heads, I introduced the natural his-tory of the area, the backdrop to theircampsite. I could see them soaking upthe information, but even more so, theirsurroundings. Alas, fidgety fingers indi-cated it was time to get moving. Thenatural quiet surrounded my words,until I, too, fell silent. In that silence,

Cottonwood Gulch Campers Explore Cabezon CountryI realized that I would end on a ques-tion, rather than a statement. �Whatdoes Wilderness mean, to you?� I askedthem to ponder�food for thought ontheir drive to Cabezon Peak.

At the trailhead, we gathered togetheragain as a group. I went around thecircle to ask the campers to share theirideas of what Wilderness meant tothem. I was blown away by theirresponses�their intuitions and ideas ofthe meaning of Wilderness were all wellarticulated and valid. I peppered thegroup with questions, leading the con-versation from the landscape featuresaround us, to issues of land ownership,recreational uses, wildlife and impor-tant Wilderness issues. We crowdedaround a large map of the region spreadout on the hood of my vehicle and ori-ented ourselves on it before we headedout. Enough talk about Wilderness!They were ready to hit the trail andexperience it.

One by one, two seconds apart,we climbed up the sloping base ofCabezon. With few complaints, thetrekkers ascended the steep trail tothe halfway mark, where a green andyellow collared lizard greeted us.Widening views of the Rio PuercoValley opened before us as we rose

in elevation. Although a light breezeblew occasionally, it was getting hot.I assured them that shade trees awaitedus at the base of the peak.

A sense of accomplishment cameover the group as we arrived at thesouthern side of the peak�s base�the view of the columnar basalticcliffs hanging huge above our headsimpressed them. We talked about howthis massive volcanic plug formed,while we ate our snacks under theshade of an old juniper tree. After wecooled off, we wandered around thevolcanic boulder-strewn field, exploringthe local area, while also taking inspectacular views in every direction,from the Sandia Mountains to MesaChivato, from Boca del Oso to CabezonPeak itself. The most beautiful sight Iwitnessed on the hike, however, wasthe trekkers� obvious bond, theircounselors� commitment to a safe andpositive experience for them, andeveryone�s willingness to learn andexplore. I was honored to participate.Wilderness education for our youth isnot only an investment in them, butalso an investment in the future of oursociety, which will ultimately contributeto preservation of our diverse wildlandsand wildlife.

S ince 1926, Cottonwood Gulch hasmade exploration and adventure a

tool to inspire learning. They learn bydoing and experiencing things hands-on. A summer at Cottonwood Gulch isa summer spent in the Wilderness, andan experience in community living.Their intent is to live with nature�not just observe it�to ask questionsand, perhaps, find some answers aboutthemselves and humanity in this ageof environmental concern.

Cottonwood Gulch�s 540-acre eco-logical preserve in the Zuni Mountainsserves as base camp for their summercommunity and as a launching point fortheir outings, which span the Four Cor-ners states. Because Cottonwood Gulchshares a common land ethic and desirefor Wilderness awareness and educa-tion, and previously shared office spacewith the New Mexico Wilderness Alli-ance, a strong relationship has devel-oped between the two organizations.We look forward to future collabora-tions with Cottonwood Gulch.

For more information on the pro-grams and activities of CottonwoodGulch, see their web site (www.swcp.com/~trek/).

�by Matt ClarkNMWA Volunteer

Just east of Socorro lies a vast, wildcountry know as the Quebradas.While inconspicuous from afar, it is

a beautiful area that has much to revealupon exploration. Located at the north-ern extent of the Chihuahuan Desertand south of the Sevilleta NationalWildlife Refuge, this complex of pro-posed Wilderness areas is truly a gemin the rough.

The name Quebradasmeans �Broken Lands��and the area�s ruggedmountains and mesas areindeed cut by heavilyeroded canyons that revealthe many layers and colorsof geologic time.

Primarily BLM land, theQuebradas is known forits numerous arroyos,sculpted granite slot can-yons, and sparsely coveredmountains that rise inevery direction. TheQuebradas BackcountryByway is a safe, well main-tained road that givesaccess to a wealth ofunique scenery andresources�from peach-colored sand dunes andcurved ridgelines, to deepeasily followed canyonsthat house ancient andmysterious pictographsand petroglyphs.

The Quebradas�The Wholeness of a Broken LandscapeThe Quebradas is a trailless place that

one can return to many times and stillbe amazed by the unique canyons andchanging tides of light that define thesebroken lands. A friend and I sat forhours in the slight shade of a juniper,occasionally drawn out only to photo-graph the building clouds, the changingangle of light, the shifting perspectives.

The Quebradas is comprised prima-rily of high-desert flora and fauna.Piñon and juniper trees provide greathomes for many desert animals. Thearea also sustains larger animals�thepronghorn, mule deer, mountain lionand coyote, among others. Flanking theRio Grande Corridor, the area serves asa natural highway of wild habitat for

migrating birds, such as hummingbirds,white winged dove and Crissal thrash-ers, that move toward Mexico duringthe months of August and September.

We are blessed to have such a placeof unique beauty as our public lands,so close at hand. The wholeness of thebroken country known as the Quebra-das should be protected. These sublime,

yet fragile desert landsprovide large blocks ofundisturbed habitat for itswildlife�in this sense, itremains largely unbroken.That is, until one stumblesupon the extensive dam-age created in the un-fenced ORV recreationarea, which straddles theQuebradas BackcountryByway and lies directlyadjacent to several pro-posed Wilderness areas.A picturesque redrockcanyon wall, desecratedby rows of steep tire tracksthat will remain visible forcenturies, was perhaps thehardest photo to take onour way out. It reaffirms,however, the need for agalvanized citizens�movement to protect theunspoiled, wild characterof the Quebradas.

�by J. Willis & M. ClarkNMWA Volunteers


Books & Authors

227 Organizations and Businesses Supportthe Coalition for New Mexico Wilderness

A lbuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau�Albuquerque (Abq) � ASI�Abq � A To ZServices�Abq � American Lands�Washington, DC � American Planning Association,

New Mexico Chapter�Abq � Animal Protection of New Mexico, Inc.�Abq � Anodyne�Abq � Aspen Ridge Alpacas of Northern New Mexico�Jemez Springs � Audubon Soci-ety of New Mexico�Santa Fe � Beeps�Abq � Bike Coop�Abq � Bird�s Eye View (GIS Ser-vices)�Abq � Blue Dragon Coffeehouse�Abq � Bosque Accounting & Taxes�Bernalillo �Bow-Wow Records�Abq � Buster�s 66 Coffeeshop�Abq � Carson Forest Watch�Llano �Celebro Natural Fiber Clothing�Abq � Center for Biological Diversity�Tucson, AZ �Chalk Farm Gallery�Santa Fe � Chihuahuan Desert Conservation Alliance�Carlsbad �Citizens for a Rational Water Policy�Abq � Clark Truck Equipment�Abq. � Committee ofWilderness Supporters�Cortaro, AZ � Consetta�s Restaurant�Jemez Springs � CottontailsPlus�Los Alamos � Cottonwood Gulch Foundation�Abq � Coyote Moon�Santa Fe �Dancing Bear Bed & Breakfast�Jemez Springs � Defenders of Wildlife�Abq � DesertMoon Nursery�Veguita � Desert Willow Bed & Breakfast�Jemez Springs � Earth Tones�Santa Fe � Endangered Species Coalition�Washington, DC � Engaging Communication�Abq � Fatwich Deli�Bernalillo � Fourth World Cottage Industries�Santa Fe � Frank LeeVideo�Abq � Friends of Albuquerque�s Environmental Story�Abq � 4 Wheelers for Wil-derness�South Weber, UT � Glass Creations�Rio Rancho � Great Old Broads for Wil-derness�Escalante, UT � Guadalupe Fun Rubber Stamps�Santa Fe � Hand Maiden�Santa Fe � In-Crowd�Abq � Jemez Canyon Inn�Jemez Springs � La Montinita FoodCoop�Abq � Laughing Lizard Café�Jemez Springs � Lauren�s Experience�Abq � LawOffices of Elizabeth Lossee�Corrales � Law Offices of James R. Scarantino�Abq � LawOffices of Kara L. Kellogg�Abq � Magennis Studio�Rio Rancho � Martha�s Body Bueno,Inc.�Abq � Mesa Azul Café & Gallery�Abq � Mountain High Country Store�JemezSprings � Mountains & Rivers�Abq � Nall Trell Enterprises�Placitas � National BLMWilderness Campaign�Salt Lake City, UT � National Environmental Trusts�Santa Fe �National Parks and Conservation Association�Abq � Native Spirits�Santa Fe � NaturalSound�Abq � Naturescapes�Las Cruces � New Grounds Print Workshop & Gallery�Abq � New Mexico Sportsmen�Abq � New Mexico�s Coalition of Sportsmen�Abq �New Mexico Wilderness Alliance�Abq � Ocean Waves Natural Healing�Abq � Para-digm & Co., LLC�Abq � Parsons Biological Consulting�Abq � Pulse Nightclub�Abq �Purified Water To Go #1504�Rio Rancho � R.B. Winnings�Abq � Raised by Wolves,Inc.�Thoreau � Ramblin Café�Santa Fe � Republicans for Environmental Protection,Board�Abq � Rio Grande Restoration�El Prado � Rio Mountainsport�Abq � RiverdancerRetreats & Bed & Breakfast�Jemez Springs � Santa Fe Mountain Sports�Santa Fe �Sauce/ Raw/ Liquid Lounge�Abq � Schomberg Optician�Los Alamos � Sierra Club, RioGrande Chapter�Abq � Sierra County Economic Development Organization�T or C �Silverado Café and Coffee�Abq � Sinapu�Boulder, CO � Skeleton Art Gallery�Santa Fe� Sky Dyes!�Abq � Sky Island Alliance, Board�Abq � Southern Utah Wilderness Alli-ance�Salt Lake City, UT � Southwest Environmental Center�Las Cruces � SouthwestForest Alliance�Flagstaff � Southwest Originals�Abq � Stone Mountain Bead Gallery�Abq � T&E, Inc.�Cortaro, AZ � Terra Firma�Abq � The A Store�Abq � The WildernessSociety�Denver, CO � The Wilderness Support Center�Durango, CO � The WildlandsProject�Tucson, AZ � The Wildlife Land Trust�Washington, DC � Tierra Wood Stoves�Taos, NM � Trust for Public Land�Santa Fe � Turtle Mountain Brewing Co.�Rio Rancho� Upper Gila Watershed Alliance�Gila � Urban Homes & Neighborhoods�Abq � U.S.Outfitters�Rancho de Taos � Village Pizza�Corrales � Voces, Inc.�Abq � Weekdays�Abq� White Mountain Conservation League�Pinetop, AZ � Wilderness Watch�Missoula,MT � Wild Birds Unlimited�Santa Fe � Wild Earth Llama Adventures�Taos � WildMountain Outfitters�Santa Fe

Otero Mesa Campaign Supporters

Abbott Studio & Gallery�Mesilla � Acupuncture Center of Los Alamos�Los Alamos �Albuquerque Center for Peace and Justice�Abq � Amigos Bravos�Taos � Angel�s

Vision, Handcrafted Jewelry�Abq � Art Haus�Silver City � Barry Howard Studios�Taos �Blossoms Garden Center�Taos � Blue Dome Gallery�Silver City � Blue Rain Gallery�Taos � Border Wildlife Consultants�Las Cruces � Bud�s Cut Flowers & More�Taos �C. Taylor & Co.�Las Cruces � Cameron�s Café�Abq � Casa de Santiago�Mesilla �Catherine Lukes ND (Dr. of Naturopathic Medicine)�Corrales � Child-Rite Inc.�Taos,NM � Coyote Club�Taos � Clementine�s�Deming, NM � Dave�s Custom Cycle�Taos �Deming Eyeworks�Deming � DOME (Dynamic Outdoor Mountain Experience)�LosAlamos � Dukatt �71�T or C � Ecos, LLC�Abq � Enchanted Gardens�Las Cruces � Envi-ronmental Dynamics Inc.�Abq � Eternal Vigilance�Abq � Fast Signs on Central�Abq �Fenix Gallery�Taos � Fund for Public Interest Research�Abq � G&G Sports & Trophies�Taos � G. Robert Johns (Landscape Architect)�Abq � General Dentistry�Taos � GoldenAspen Massage Therapy�Los Alamos � Gordon�s CDs, Tapes & Records�Los Alamos �Grandfather�s Eagle�Abq � Gypsy Wagon Celtic & More�Abq � Hay-Yo-Kay HotSprings�T or C � Imaginary Scents, Inc.�Abq � Inspirations�Taos � Irysh Mac�s CoffeeHouse�Abq � Jennifer McCash,LMSW/ Behavior Therapy, Social Worker Services�Abq �Jess Alford Photography�Abq � Kathryn Larson, H.C./ Investment Holding Co.�Abq �Kelly Williams (Stylist)�Abq � La Piñata�Abq � Larry Van Eaton, Attorney at Law�Taos �Larry�s Hats�Abq � Las Comadres�Taos � Life Force Unlimited�T or C � Los AlamosChiropractic Center�Los Alamos � Louie�s Rock-n-Reels�Abq., NM � Luna Loca Meta-physical Books�Abq � Magic Circle Bagels�Taos � Matthew T. Byers (Attorney & Coun-selor at Law)�Carlsbad � Miles Diller, Ph.d.�Los Alamos � Mountain View Market�LasCruces � Naranjo�s Art & Jewelry�Abq � New Mexico Coalition Against DomesticViolence�Abq � NMPIRG�Abq � Noah�s Ark Inc.�Carlsbad � Nob Hill AcupunctureCenter�Abq � NuCity Publications�Abq � Old Mesilla Pastry Café- Mesilla � Old WorldImports�Abq � Oxygen Therapy Associates�Las Cruces � Paja Construction Inc.�Abq �Paper Book Exchange�Taos � Paul�s Men�s Shop�Taos � Pauline�s Fashions�Carlsbad �Peacecraft�Abq � Pete�s Pets�Los Alamos � Photo Art Imaging�T or C � Pinion Café &Bakery�Silver City � Premier Medical�Taos � R Books�Los Alamos � Ride on Sports�Las Cruces � Rio Grande Weavers Supply�Taos � Sachs�Abq � Sandra DuBois, TeacherHHS�Abq � Shadey Lady Lamps�Abq � Shelly L. Fritz, DDS�Abq � Sierra Chiropractic�T or C � Silver Moon�Abq � Sky�s the Limit�Las Cruces � Soothing Sensations MassageTherapy�Deming � Southside Copies, Graphics, Blueprints�Taos � Southwest Framers�Taos, NM � Spectrum Pottery�T or C � Spirit Winds�Las Cruces � Stepback Inn�Aztec �Stone Wolf�Taos � Studio Estevane�Abq � Strider A. McCash, DDS�Eagle Nest � TalkingTalons Youth Leadership�Tijeras � Taos Creek Cabins�Taos � Taos Eyewear�Taos � TaosHerb Co.�Taos � Taos Mosaic�Taos � Taos Tack & Pet Supply�Taos � The Arts ofRemembrance�Silver City � The Herb Store�Abq � The Mac Doctor�Las Cruces �The Mystic Bear�Abq � The Old Broad�s Coffee House�Abq � The Porterhouse�Deming� The Vacation Store�Abq � Toy Town�Silver City � VanEvery, Thrasher & Company(CPAs)�Abq � We Buy Music�Abq � Xian Antiquities�Deming

On August 12, the conservation,climbing and photography com-munities lost a real champion.

Galen Rowell and his wife and businesspartner Barbara Cushman were killedwhen their small plane crashed justshort of the runway in Bishop, Califor-nia. The Rowells were returning homefrom circumnavigating the Bering Sea.

Born in 1940 to a college professorand a concert cellist, Rowell was intro-duced to the Wilderness before hecould walk. He began climbing at age10 and, by the age of 60, had com-

T hey still come to Moose, Wyomingin search of her home. The letterscontinue to come in each week,

and the visitors have only recentlybegun to come less frequently. If youread any of her books, such as theclassic Two in the Far North, you wouldunderstand that Mardy Murie is trulythe mother of the modern environmen-tal movement.

Mardy�s life has been filled with firsts,and has been a clear case of leading byexample. She was the first womangraduate of the University of Alaska.In 1924, she married Olaus Murie, thefamed wildlife biologist and foundingmember of The Wilderness Society.They spent their honeymoon in the wildnorthern reaches of Alaska, far removedfrom the America of the 1920s. Theyraised three children together, often tak-ing the infants along on the wild rivers

of the Alaskan North Country. Studyingin tents and bathing in glacial runoffwas the norm in their children�sformative years, adventure was routine.

It was Mardy and Olaus who tookthen Supreme Court Justice William O.Douglas to what is now the Arctic Na-tional Wildlife Refuge; their effortswould be rewarded when the Eisen-hower Administration created the firstprotected part of the Refuge. AfterOlaus� untimely death in 1962, Mardydedicated herself to the full protectionof the Arctic Refuge and became a lead-ing advocate for the Alaska Lands Actsigned by former President JimmyCarter in 1980.

Here is an excerpt from her classic,Two in the Far North:

July 25�I lay awake in the heavenlycomfortable bed in home camp lastnight, thinking over the trip, deeply

Environmental Pioneer Mardy Murie Turns 100aware of what a really different experi-ence it had been, those past few days;Olaus and I alone, making our waythrough country new to us both, con-taining no sign of man except now andthen some old tent poles or pegs of anIndian camp. And that happy, happyday, hiking up on the Sheenjek andback to our willow camp. This is thevalue of this piece of wilderness-itsabsolutely untouched character. Not

spectacular, no unique or �strange�features, but just the beautiful, wildcountry of a beautiful, wild free-run-ning river, with no sign of man or hisstructures. For this feature alone thisArctic is worth preserving just as it is.Our hope is to leave it as lovely as wefound it, with every possible sign of ourshort occupancy obliterated.


pleted more than 40 expeditionson all seven continents and both poles.He produced 18 books of photos thatoften included people in the landscape.Perhaps his most famous is an image ofa rainbow touching down in a Buddhistmonastery in the Himalayas. In 1984,he received the Ansel Adams Award forhis contributions to the art of Wilder-ness photography. Those of us whocherish wild places and high adventurewill sorely miss his vision and big heart.


Farewell to Galen Rowell


Staff/Volunteer Profiles

Staff Updates

T he New Mexico WildernessAlliance is constantly looking forpeople who can be �anchors� in

their community. Anchors are peoplewho can be contacts or entrées to themany communities throughout ourState. With campaigns such as OteroMesa and Cabezon, we often find our-selves looking, especially in smallercommunities, for people who can helpset up events, reserve a space, meetwith a community leader or the localpress, or help us with a slide show.

Searching for AnchorsMuch like the Wilderness Adopters

program where a person picks a wildlandscape and monitors it, with the�Anchor Program,� we are looking forvolunteers who live in a communityand will share with us their knowledgeand help us with our goal of creatingmore Wilderness statewide in NewMexico!

Contact Stephen Capra to become anAnchor today (505/843-8696; [email protected]).

Sky Islands 2002Restoring Connections

18-19 October 2002 � Tucson, AZ

Hosted by The Wildlands Project � Sky Island Alliance �New Mexico Wilderness Alliance � The Wilderness Society

www.skyislandalliance.org/sia/conference2002.htm

Join the network of people and organizations working to preserve thebiological diversity of the unique Sky Islands borderlands ecoregion.

Hear about the latest efforts to restore and connect wildlands with more than20 different presentations by Sky Islands Wildlands Network member groups,private citizens, scientists, government agencies and other land-protectionorganizations. An informative day of panels, workshops and presentations willbe followed by a banquet, regional conservation awards, special Aldo Leopoldinterpretation by Richard Bodner, keynote address by Dave Foreman, and anopportunity to unwind and network with friends at an evening concert withthe Dana Lyons Band. Register by October 11.

Invited Presenters

Peter Warshall, Whole Earth Review � Diana Hadley, Arizona State Museum �Michael Soulé, USFS conservation biologist � Malpai Borderlands Group � DaleTurner, The Nature Conservancy � Don Hoffmann, Arizona Wilderness Coalition �Roseann Hanson, Sonoran Institute � Bart Kohler, The Wilderness Society � RurikList, Gray Ranch conservation biologist � Jennifer Atchley, World Wildlife Fund �Todd Schulke, Center for Biological Diversity � Tom Woods, Southeastern ArizonaBird Observatory � Carolyn Campbell, Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection �Maeveen Behan, Pima County�s Sonoran Desert Protection Plan � David Hodges,Sky Island Alliance � Kim Vacariu, Wildlands Project � Jessica Pope, New MexicoWilderness Alliance � Tom Swetnam, University of Arizona � Craig Miller, Defend-ers of Wildlife � Carlos Lopez Gonzalez, jaguar researcher � Diana Barnes Fresh-water, Arizona Open Land Trust � Ralph Ware, National Resource ConservationService � Joe Austin, Coronado Ranch

Topics

The Science of Biodiversity Protection � Sky Islands Conservation Vision � WildlifeTracking and Conservation � National Forest Fire Management � Protecting Range-lands; Arizona Wilderness Campaigns � New Mexico Wilderness Campaigns �Apache Highlands protection � Fire Management in Saguaro National Park � Wild-lands Protection in Mexico � The Power of Grassroots Campaigns � Conservationon the Gray Ranch � Protecting the Missing Link � The Peloncillos Cross-borderConnection � Wildlands-Urban Interface Fire Management � Conservation andEcotourism � History of Fire in the Sky Islands � Conservation on DevelopedLands � Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan � Restoration Opportunities in the SkyIslands � Wolf and Jaguar recovery � Land Trusts and Easements � Federal Conser-vation Programs � Innovative Private Lands Management.

The agency has been presenting theSheep Basin project as a restorationproject but recently admitted that it isa timber-improvement project. Becausethe Sheep Basin project includes log-ging of old-growth and large trees, itdisqualifies local citizen groups fromreceiving grant money from SenatorBingaman�s Community ForestRestoration Program.

Contact Project Leader, LauraValletos, Reserve RD (505/533-6605).

�by Todd SchulkeNMWA Board Member

Healthy Forests (continued from page 3)

Recognizing a Dedicated VolunteerW illiam Stone is an Albuquerque-

based photographer specializingin the landscapes and ancient

archaeological sites of the AmericanSouthwest. His images have beenwidely published and exhibited inmuseums, galleries and permanentinstallations. The New Mexico Wilder-ness Alliance would like to thank Will-iam for the many photographs he hasdonated to our organization. His photoof Ojito Wilderness Study Area, shownhere, appeared on the cover of ourSummer 2002 issue of Call of the Wild,but was unfortunately miscredited.

William�s long-standing interest in theoutdoors ranges from Rhode Island�sNarragansett Bay to Scripps Institutionof Oceanography in California, Hurri-cane Island Outward Bound and theNational Outdoor Leadership School.A resident of Albuquerque since 1989,he has formed a strong bond with thelandscape of New Mexico. Document-ing the beauty and majesty of wildareas in photographs is his way of shar-ing with others the unique qualities ofthe land. William uses his photographyto help support environmental organi-zations such as the Southern Utah Wil-derness Alliance, the Four CornersSchool of Outdoor Education and theContinental Divide Trail Alliance, inaddition to NMWA. As a member ofNMWA, he shares a strong commitmentto protect New Mexico�s naturaltreasures.

Recent books featuring his workinclude Along New Mexico�s Continen-tal Divide Trail and New Mexico�s Con-tinental Divide Trail: The Official Guide(both by Westcliffe Publishers). He isalso working on New Mexico: Then andNow, a large-format photography bookalso by Westcliffe Publishers that is dueout in Fall 2003.

William and his wife Carolyn, andtheir two rescued dogs, reside in themorning shadow of the Sandia Moun-tains. A web site is under development(www.williamstonephoto.com).

A s of August 1, we have reorga-nized our staff structure at theNew Mexico Wilderness Alliance

and are pleased to announce thatMichael Robinson is now the Directorof Wilderness Protection managing ourcitizen�s Wilderness inventory work aswell as our efforts to protect existingWilderness areas and proposal areas.Steve Capra has moved from our MediaCoordinator to become the Director ofWilderness Campaigns and will oversee

all of the grassroots and legislative workto enact our Wilderness proposals.Roxanne Pacheco has assumed theduties of full time Office Managerkeeping our accounting and officemoving along smoothly.

Congratulations to these threededicated, hard working Wildernessadvocates. Their talents, skills and com-mitment will take us far in achievingour goals.

toward communities�not wildlands,roadless areas or commercial timberextraction.

Eliminating current environmentalprotections aimed at protecting theintegrity of forests is a step in the wrongdirection. Federal laws such as theEndangered Species Act and the Wilder-ness Act are critical for protecting thetrue nature of our forests. It would be atravesty if politically motivated groupsor individuals were allowed to use mis-guided rhetoric regarding the cause ofour present fire dangers to dismantlelaws intended, and proven to enhancethe natural heritage of New Mexico.

�by NMWA Staff

Timber Sales (continued from page 12)


New Mexico Wilderness AllianceP.O. Box 25464Albuquerque, NM 87125

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage

P A I DPermit #426

Albuquerque, NM

Sky Islands 2002:Restoring Connections

Hosted by:

The Wildlands Project � Sky Island Alliance � New MexicoWilderness Alliance � The Wilderness Society

18-19 October 2002Tucson, AZ � Radisson City Center Hotel

Celebrate the unique ecological heritage of the �Sky Islands� region ofsouthwestern New Mexico, southeastern Arizona and northern Mexico

with a full day of presentations by the network of conservation groups,public officials and citizens working to restore and connect wildlandsin the Sky Islands.

For more information, see www.wildlandsproject.org, contact the SkyIsland Alliance in Tucson, AZ (520/884-0875; [email protected]), orsee page 15 of this newsletter.

Jointhe New Mexico Wilderness Alliance!

Name ___________________________________________

Address _________________________________________

City __________________ State _______ Zip ___________

Phone __________________________

E-mail __________________________

$20 Individual$25 Family$50 Supporting

$100 Contributing$250 Lifetime (one-time fee)

$10 Junior/Student/SeniorOther $ __________

Signature: ___________________________________________

Contributions to NMWA are tax-deductible.

NMWA occasionally exchanges its mailing list with other organizations involved inissues we feel you may also find of interest. If you would like to guarantee thatyour name will not be exchanged, please check here.

Enclosed is my check payable to:New Mexico Wilderness Alliance

Please charge my VISA orMastercard (circle one):

Card # _________________________

Exp. Date ______________________

call of the wild - new mexico wilderness alliance · call of the wild the newsletter of ... than...

Documents