Parks, Open Spaces, Wild Places News

Mining, logging and oil/gas drilling in New Mexico’s national forests jeopardizes $807.6 million per year in New Mexican business from transportation, lodging, equipment and licenses for activities such as fishing, hunting and wildlife watching, according to a new report released today by Environment New Mexico Research and Policy Center.

The Environment New Mexico Research and Policy Center report on the value of recreation, water and wildlife, “Worth More Wild: The Value of New Mexico’s Roadless National Forests,” analyzes data from a national survey done by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service.

Key findings of the report include:

• In 2006, 581,000 New Mexico residents participated in fishing, hunting and wildlife watching, and these recreationists spent $807.6 million in New Mexico on transportation, lodging, equipment, licenses and other related items. This robust economic driver relies on pristine and intact forestland.
• Annually, more than $200 million worth of freshwater comes from the Southwestern Forest Service region, which encompasses New Mexico.
• Undeveloped national forests provide critical habitat to New Mexico’s native wildlife, and at least 26 of the state’s endangered species would be even more threatened without the protection of roadless areas.

“Pristine forests boost local economies, provide unique outdoor opportunities, preserve wildlife and protect watersheds, but a major portion of our national forestland is defenseless against drilling, logging and mining,” said Environment New Mexico’s Environmental Associate Randall Coleman.

New Mexico’s national forests face road building and resource extraction from mining, logging and oil/gas drilling. The preservation of these forests will ensure clean drinking water for many communities in New Mexico by filtering organic matter and pollutants from water that passes through these forests as well as ensuring a valuable and robust outdoor recreation industry.

Since 2000, New Mexico residents have submitted 38,256 comments to the Forest Service regarding New Mexico’s roadless forests, with the vast majority supporting complete protection of these wild forestlands.

Environment New Mexico calls on the members of New Mexico’s Congressional delegation to join the many other representatives in protecting these untouched forests by supporting the Roadless Area Conservation Act (H.R. 2516) which seeks to codify and strengthen the 2001 Roadless Rule. The Act would prevent most commercial logging activities and road building associated with mining and energy development. Given the legal and administrative attacks on the 2001 Rule, a law passed by Congress is the best way to provide solid legal protections for roadless areas in national forests. The bill will protect 1.6 million acres of roadless forests in New Mexico and 58.5 million acres of untouched forests nationally.

“We must preserve the beautiful and pristine parts of our national forests so that they can be shared and appreciated by everyone,” concluded Coleman. “Our Congressional leaders should protect New Mexico’s untouched forests and recreational dollars for generations to come.”

Read the full report. 

Additional Contacts:

Christina Goldfuss, 202-546-9707

Zachary Pitts, 202-546-9707