A group of U.S. and state representatives from New Mexico have
released a joint statement concerning the U.S. Forest Service’s recent
closure of portions of the Lincoln National Forest due the presence of
an endangered species.
Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., and a bipartisan group of several state
lawmakers, including Reps. James Townsend, R-Artesia, Cathrynn Brown,
R-Carlsbad, and Candy Spence Ezzell, R-Roswell, and Sens. Gay Kernan,
R-Hobbs, Carroll Leavell, R-Jal, and Cliff Pirtle, R-Roswell, along with
Caren Cowan, executive director of the New Mexico Cattle Growers
Association, released the statement following a press conference during
which Pearce discussed the recent action and its affect on water rights
in the area.
Earlier this month, the USFS announced that due to the endangered
listing of the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse, small portions of Agua
Chiquita, Silver Springs, Rio Penasco and Wills Canyon in the Sacramento
Ranger District would be closed through Oct. 31 of this year and from
May 1 – Oct. 31 2017 due to those areas’ containment of critical habitat
considered necessary for the recovery of the species.
The legislators’ statement was issued to New Mexico State Engineer
Tom Blaine and concerned prohibited access to water sources for the
livestock of area ranchers.
“The New Mexico State Engineer is essentially the sheriff when it
comes to managing claims for water rights in the state,” the statement
reads. “However, Mr. Blaine’s office has been able to do little while
the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) has interfered with local
citizens’ access to water for their cattle. Stopping this is within Mr.
Blaine’s jurisdiction yet – he claims to have no standing. In a joint
effort between Congressman Pearce’s office, along over 50 New Mexico
state legislators have engaged Mr. Blaine’s office on this issue.
“This is not acceptable. The ESA’s assault on water rights is harming
how local citizens make their living – and their cattle cannot access
water. This means mother cows cannot feed their baby calves – all of
this during the heart of the cattle season. This intrusion is morally
wrong.
“Action should be how we respond to our citizens’ cries for help.
Congressman Pearce’s office sent a letter to Governor Martinez and are
confident she will agree that New Mexico should stand up for its people
and will take the side of local ranchers and the local economy. We will
continue to bring awareness to this issue, fight for New Mexicans, and
ensure the protection of property, water, and states’ rights.”
Artesia Daily Press
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