Monument plans should be ignored

Dear Editor:

I was heartened to read our Senators’ letter to President Trump’s chief of staff, John Kelly, on the inaccuracies of Secretary Ryan Zinke’s national monument recommendations (“NM congressional Dems call for no monument changes,” Sept. 26).

As a grazing permittee in the Río Grande del Norte National Monument, I can say from firsthand experience that my operations have not been affected by the national monument designation. This should not come as a surprise to local residents — leading up to the designation of Río Grande del Norte, ranchers were given a voice in the process, and preserving our livelihoods and access was not only listened to, but was included in the national monument proclamation. Additionally, a recent nonpartisan Congressional Research Service memo found that there have been no changes in the numbers of livestock on the national monument since its designation.

New Mexicans from all backgrounds worked for decades to preserve Río Grande del Norte and Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks national monuments. From veterans to small-business owners, and Native American Tribes to ranchers like me, we wanted to see these special places preserved for future generations.

New Mexico is known for her public lands and all they offer. For many, our livelihoods depend on these lands being protected. For me, that means a place for my livestock to graze, with wide open spaces and abundant, clean water. For others, that means having healthy wildlife habitat to hunt and fish in. And for others, it means a place where people come to spend their dollars in New Mexico’s growing outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality industries.

I want to thank Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich for standing up for New Mexicans and our way of life. I hope that John Kelly and President Trump listen to the people who love and use the land, and not Secretary Zinke’s misguided recommendations.