Most environmental/wildlife conservationists have been very disappointed with Interior Secretary Salazar's record in defending wildlife, which has been pro-ranching and anti-wildlife. Now we will find out where Governor Richardson stands on these issues as the age old battle between growth and environment comes to a head in New Mexico with impact on a national wildlife corridor. On the surface, this appears to be a battle between cattle and horses, in fact, it is a covert battle between unsustainable growth in a high plains desert and the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Corridor - Canada to Mexico.
Bobcat photographed on the proposed Wild Horse State Park and Wildlife Corridor in Placitas, NM
Richardson’s Environmental Crisis: To Lead or to Follow
Wild Horses photographed on the proposed Wild Horse State Park and Wildlife Corridor
Richardson has a historic opportunity to preserve New Mexico's water resources and wildlife habitat, along with the nation’s wild horse heritage while supporting clean rural economic development. New Mexican's are asking him to support the creation of a Wild Horse State Park at the northern end of Sandia Mountain, instead of a highway, which would complete the noose around Sandia, making it a Dead Mountain for the many species that live there (Mt Lions, Bears, Bobcats, Turkeys and more) and impacting the wildlife corridor. By preserving this piece of open space, Richardson could dramatically decrease the unsustainable developmentpressures, forever protect the wild horses (a valuable tourism asset for clean green rural economic development), and protect the Canada-to-Mexico Wildlife Corridor, of which the State Park would be part.
Wild Turkeys wandering Placitas neighborhood
Unfortunately, the wild horse park and wildlife corridor appear to conflict with Richardson’s "Smart" Growth Plans for the Albuquerque area and its planned Northeast Highway. This highway has been planned to be sited on the BLM property on which the Placitas wild horses, mountain lions, bobcats, wild turkeys, and ferrets roam. Eliminating the wild horses on these BLM lands, makes way for New Mexico’s plan for the highway and to give these remaining public lands to the Land Grants and other special interests.
Governor Richardson, like Senator Harry Reidin Nevada, may instead opt for a Green façade and attempt to co-opt wild horse advocates by creating a seemingly benign Wild Horse adoption center. This would be a feel good measure which would cost more than setting aside this land as an open space. This measure would also evade resolving issues caused by the planned highway.
Wild Horse Running across Mustang Flats in Placitas, NM
Is Richardson going to support the antithesis of "Green" and "Smart"? Is Richardson going to promote development without renewable water sources in a desert? Is Richardson promoting a Smart Growth Plan whose highways close a noose around the Sandia Mountains, thereby threatening it's native species and the wildlife corridor? Is Richardson going to follow Secretary Salazar and Senator Reid?
Richardson can Lead on these issues. He can stand strong with his commitments. These include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to protect the Wildlife Corridor from Canada-to-Mexico, and his commitment to the Wild Horses of New Mexico. In 2007, Governor Richardson signed the State bill to protect and preserve its defined states wild horses. He must stand strong to the committment made by the State of New Mexico through its unanimous passage of three State Memorials, which each request presevation of wild horses where they exist on federal or tribal lands of New Mexico.
Middle Rio Grande Regional Water Plan 2000-2050
"Water has many important values to the people in our subregions which need to be appreciated and fairly balanced to ensure the overall safety, security and well-being for the subregions. Such values include cultural, spiritual, economic, environmental and hydrologic viability for the
subregions. In times of scarcity, everyone must share the responsibility for living within the shortage. We recognize the current deficit situation and have a duty to balance water use with renewable supply, starting now and in the future. Decisions should be made so as to keep as
many options as possible open for future generations."
We hope that Governor Richardson will continue to lead on sustainable growth in the west. In the west every decision relates to water. In central New Mexico like others areas in the west there has been long term water mining. Here, we are using 15 to 20% more water than is being recharged. Rural economic development through tourism may provide a more sustainable economic gain than finite salt water wells, importing water, and highways through pristine areas. These may promote short term economic gain, but at what loss?
Band of Wild Horses roaming the arroyos in Placitas, NM ..... and a locally sighted Mountain Lion Track