Mount Taylor decision came while we were sleeping

June 5, 2009 was the culmination of a 17-month battle for Mount Taylor where the decision to make the temporary Traditional Cultural Property designation (TCP) permanent was announced -- New Mexico’s 1 million acre land grab. An opponent to the decision said, “I could hear the jobs, stability and growth in our community suck right out of our town as the vote was cast. Corporate dollars will be spent in other communities where progress is encouraged and growth is a way of life.”...The Mount Taylor TCP decision has far-reaching ramifications. The nomination had many technical and procedural flaws, as noted by New Mexico Secretary of Cultural Affairs Stuart Ashman in his presentation to the committee on May 15 -- but it was unanimously passed. While it was repeatedly stated throughout the multi-month process that private property was “non-contributing,” at the 11th hour, the historic preservation officer, Katherine Slick, did acknowledge that the decision will impact private property owners. And it will hurt the economy and take money out of America. An international partner in a mining project is now expected to pull out. Potential mining projects will be delayed and have increased costs. Many will never happen. Some companies have already given up and pulled out -- giving environmental extremists another victory...HeathHaussamen