No More Wilderness Designation

GRANTS – The Coalition to Keep Cibola National Forest Open for Multi-use meeting occurred two days before the National Wilderness Conference and Festival in Albuquerque. Protecting public lands while providing public access was the theme of both events. U.S. Representative Steve Pearce, State Speaker of the House Ken Martinez, State Senator Clemente Sanchez, Cibola County Commissioner Pat Simpson, City of Grants Councilman Edwin Dickens, and Village of Milan Manager Marcella Sandoval attended the “Wilderness Prevention Forum” at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Grants on Monday evening. Approximately 200 people gathered to listen to a three-member panel, Clayton Thayer, Kendra Brown, Les Gaines, pose questions to Cibola National Forest (CNF) Supervisor Elaine Kohrman and Bob Davis, director of ecosystems analysis, planning, watershed and air, Southwestern Region. Derrick Underhill, owner of KMIN Radio, provided live coverage. “This Coalition was established to protect all four of the CNF ranger districts,” said Gaines. “No more wilderness designations.” “We are interested in this process,” emphasized Thayer. “We have no other affiliations; we are concerned citizens of Cibola County.” He explained that the questions posed to CNF officials were based on residents’ interest in making sure no further access restrictions were implemented. Anti-wilderness advocates maintain that seven federal laws are already in place and no additional designation is necessary to protect Mount Taylor. Commissioner Simpson asked, “Is the budget not big enough to maintain the roads in the Zunis? Is that why we are shutting roads down?” “How many roads have locked gates?” asked Congressman Pearce. The Supervisor commented that Forest Service budget allocations had been drastically reduced in the past five years. “You have money to lock roads off but not money to maintain them?” questioned Pearce. “Are you mandated to hunt for wilderness areas?” asked Commissioner Simpson. CNF Regional Planner Davis, whose career spans more than 30 years, replied, “There is a mandate to review wilderness every time we update a management plan.” “Where did that idea come from?” questioned Simpson. “Congress,” Kohrman and Davis answered...more