Governor designates first 23 miles of Rio Grande Trail

Gov. Susana Martinez directed state workers on Tuesday to designate 23 miles of trail the first pieces of a network that might someday span the length of New Mexico along the Rio Grande. Supporters envision it as a destination for hikers and tourists who want to follow the river from Colorado to Texas – something akin to the Appalachian Trail. Martinez announced designation of the first 23 miles during a news conference at the Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque. “There is no doubt the Rio Grande Trail will enchant New Mexicans and visitors from around the world,” Martinez said. But there is much work to be done, she said. Martinez called on government agencies and property owners along the 500-mile alignment to cooperate to make the trail a reality. The proposed alignment would pass through tribal lands, national wildlife refuges, national monuments and state parks, including the bosque in Albuquerque. Some of the land is privately owned. A new commission that will work on the effort has scheduled its first meeting this morning. The group was created under state legislation that had bipartisan backing earlier this year, including sponsorship by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces. The 23 miles designated Tuesday lie in six state parks: Elephant Butte Lake, Caballo Lake, Leasburg Dam, Mesilla Valley Bosque, Percha Dam and the Rio Grande Nature Center...more