Albuquerque mayor urges Forest Service to withdraw Wilderness proposal

The mayor of New Mexico’s largest city is urging the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw consideration of a potential wilderness designation that he says would limit the public’s access to a popular recreation area bordering Albuquerque. Mayor Richard Berry sent a letter to the supervisor of the Cibola National Forest on Monday. He says the way the plan stands now would completely dismantle existing trails for outdoor enthusiasts. The mayor says the mountain biking and hiking trails in the foothills area encourage residents to lead a healthy lifestyle and are part of a natural attraction that helps to set the city apart. As part of an effort to revise its outdated forest plan, federal policy requires the Cibola Forest to identify and evaluate lands and determine whether to recommend any areas for wilderness designation.  AP

Finally, local officials are seeing Wilderness for what it is and what it does.