Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Action Alerts

Sabinoso Wilderness Act of 2008 Needs Help

SABINOSO WILDERNESS ACT OF 2008 NEEDS YOUR HELP Rising 1,200' from the stark plains surrounding it, this rugged BLM Sabinoso Wilderness Study Area of close to 20,000 acres sits on the Canadian escarpment about 40 miles east of Las Vegas, where colorful sandstone cliffs mark deeply incised canyons, while the grasslands on top are some of the best intact Great Plains ecosystems left in New Mexico. Rarely visited because it is surrounded by private properties, this remote landscape has unsurpassed views across the plains, while raptors soar overhead and the largest canyon, Largo, provides lush riparian vegetation that is home to bears, cougar, barbary sheep, mule deer, gray fox, and wild turkeys. The head of the BLM office in Taos, Sam DesGeorges, calls Sabinoso the closest thing New Mexico has to the Grand Canyon, and is anxious to see it designated as Wilderness. Sabinoso is a very special place, with clear evidence of long ago habitation by Indians and an unexpected treasure on our flat, arid Eastern Plains. Efforts are in process to add private acreage, and to ensure public access. Sabinoso is getting closer to becoming a Wilderness! Several weeks ago, HR 2632, introduced by Tom Udall over a year ago, moved from the House Natural Resources Committee on June 9 to the House floor, where it was approved, and sent on to the Senate. With elections coming up, and a crowded calendar, the Senate will have limited time to pass good bills, and we need to get it moving now. Senator Bingaman is very supportive of it and personally assured me when I visited his office in April that he wanted Udall's bill to pass. Call Senator Bingaman at 988-6647 (Santa Fe office) or 202-224-5521 in DC, thank him for supporting the Sabinoso Wilderness Act of 2008, and urge him to help move it through the Senate. Call Senator Domenici at 988-6511 (Santa Fe office) or 202-224-6621 in DC, and urge him to support this bill, which will add significantly to his legacy of protecting Wilderness in New Mexico. Or you can go online, via the: New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, and send a fax to our 2 senators. Many thanks! Norma McCallan

Wilderness Alerts

The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and the Bureau of Land Management have been working with Senator Jeff Bingaman's office to craft a National Conservation Area Bill for north-central New Mexico for more than a year. The proposal, encompassing more than 235,878 acres of Taos and Rio Arriba Counties, also includes two new Wilderness Areas totaling about 24,000 acres: Ute Mountain and Rio San Antonio Gorge. More details and what you can do.

Mexican Grey Wolves

The Adaptive Management Oversight Committee for the Mexican gray wolf program is proposing changes to the infamous Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) 13.0, and is seeking comments on the proposed changes through Wednesday, June 25, 2008. SOP 13 has caused significant harm to the wolves and with it in place, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to recover these animals. SOP 13 is the destructive procedure which mandates wolf removal if there is livestock depredation three times within one year. Prior to it being enacted, a small number of wolves were removed because of livestock depredation. Those numbers have increased significantly – and to the detriment of the wolves. Wolf numbers in the wild have declined in three out of the last four years. This is unacceptable and is inconsistent with the goals of the Endangered Species Act and the management plan for these wolves. SOP 13 is hindering recovery and should be repealed. Please send comments by June 25 to: Terry Johnson Endangered Species Coordinator Arizona Game & Fish Department 5000 N. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086 Fax: 623.236.7926 mexwolf@azgfd.gov

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Global Warming Alerts

The US House has passed an $18 billion package of incentives for the production of clean, renewable energy; credits for the purchase of hybrid cars; and energy efficient homes, buildings, and appliances. It goes next to the Senate. Your help is needed.