June 6th,2025
From: Senator Martin Heinrich <donotreply@heinrich.senate.gov>
To: secretary@bchnm.org
Sent: Monday, June 9, 2025 at 08:40:24 AM MDT
Subject: Responding to your message
June 9, 2025
Dear Ms. Michele Odom,
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk are illegally dismembering our federal programs, undercutting the critical services that millions of Americans rely on daily. From the Senate floor to the evening news to legislative efforts, I have repeatedly expressed my disgust at what President Trump and Mr. Musk are doing. That includes Republican schemes to sell off public lands to fund tax handouts for billionaires.
Our public lands are owned and loved by all Americans. They fuel our thriving outdoor recreation economy in New Mexico and across the West and sustain outdoor traditions like hunting, fishing, and camping that are the pillars of Western culture. I deeply appreciate just how special and irreplaceable our public lands are to our way of life and our livelihoods in New Mexico. I am extremely concerned that Republicans' reconciliation bill could include provisions to sell off our public land to wealthy out-of-state landowners, who will be able to turn our most beloved and sacred public lands into their fenced-off private resorts. Using public land sales as a revenue source sets a dangerous precedent that puts our most treasured outdoor spaces at risk. For these reasons, protecting our public lands is among my top priorities as your senator and Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
On April 4, 2025, Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and I led an amendment to the Senate’s budget resolution to prevent the privatization of our public lands. This amendment would have blocked Republicans' public land sell offs as a way to generate revenue. Unfortunately, it failed by a vote of 48–51. Although the vote on our amendment failed, the amendment reinforces our commitment to protecting America’s public lands from short-sighted exploitation and keeping them in public hands for future generations to enjoy. These lands are not just economic assets, they are vital spaces for recreation, conservation, wildlife habitat, and cultural heritage. I will continue to fight against any attempts to turn public treasures into private profits and ensure that our public land remains open and accessible for all.
Thank you for reaching out to me on this important issue. Your experiences, ideas, thoughts, and concerns inform my work and decisions. I hope you will write me again on this or any other issues that are important to you.
For more information and additional details about legislation, please visit my website, You can also follow me on Twitter (@SenatorHeinrich) and join me on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenatorHeinrich.
Sincerely,
MARTIN HEINRICH
United States Senator
MH/ms
June 6th, 2025
From: Senator Ben Ray Lujan <donotreply@lujan.senate.gov>
To: secretary@bchnm.org
Sent: Friday, June 6, 2025 at 04:54:24 PM MDT
Subject: Message from Senator Ben Ray Lujan
June 6, 2025
Dear Ms. Michele Odom,
Thank you for reaching out to my office. Keeping in touch with my constituents is my greatest priority, and I appreciate the opportunity to engage with you on such an important topic.
Our public lands, including our national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and conservation lands are American treasures that have received decades of bipartisan support. Locally led conservation efforts can provide a sustainable economic base for rural communities while preserving important traditions and safeguarding nature. To ensure our natural spaces can be enjoyed for generations to come, we need to mitigate and compensate for the ecological disruption resulting from climate change, deforestation, land use conversion, and irresponsible resource extraction and development.
Unfortunately, President Trump and Elon Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” have recklessly fired the federal employees that are tasked with protecting the public lands that many New Mexicans enjoy. President Trump has also paused and terminated funding agreements that fund critical public land conservation and restoration projects across the state. As a result of these unconstitutional actions, New Mexicans and Americans across the country have experienced long wait times accessing National Parks and watched as important public land conservation and restoration projects have stalled.
On February 20, 2025, I co-led an amendment to the Senate Republican’s Budget Resolution to reverse these Trump and Musk-led layoffs and rehire the federal workers in charge of safeguarding our nation’s public lands. Unfortunately, Senate Republicans blocked my proposal and the amendment failed by a vote of 52-48. In response to the unconstitutional funding freezes, I have also sent multiple letters to the Trump Administration making it clear that Congress holds the power of the purse.
President Trump has also signaled that he intends to sell off public lands to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. Our public lands are not – and should not be – up for sale. For this reason, on April 4, 2025, I voted for an amendment to the Senate Republican’s Budget Resolution to prohibit President Trump from privatizing America’s public lands. Unfortunately, Senate Republicans again blocked the amendment by a vote of 53-46. Please rest assured that I will continue to fight to keep our public lands accessible to all.
Beyond pushing back against President Trump’s actions, protecting and conserving public lands remains one of my top priorities. This Congress, I am proud to have led the New Mexico delegation to reintroduce the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act to protect Chaco Canyon and the greater landscape surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. This legislation will prevent future leasing and development of oil, gas, and minerals on federal lands that are located within a 10-mile buffer zone around the park. This proposed Chaco Protection Zone will preserve the ancestral sites and cultural patrimony in and around Chaco Canyon. I was glad to see that the Biden Administration put in place a 20-year oil and gas leasing ban in and around the Chaco Canyon and I am working to ensure that President Trump upholds these protections.
I continue to oppose efforts to open up our natural spaces to irresponsible resource extraction. This Congress, I introduced the Mining Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Prevention Act, which updates a mining law from 1872 that has allowed mining companies to exploit public resources for free, pass environmental costs onto taxpayers, and engage in speculation with minimal government oversight. I am also proud to have joined the New Mexico delegation in re-introducing the Pecos Watershed Protection Act. The delegation introduced this legislation after President Trump confirmed that it will reverse the U.S. Forest Service’s decision under the Biden Administration to protect the Upper Pecos Watershed from new mining operations. In addition to advocating for passage of the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, I will continue to press the Trump Administration to not walk back this withdrawal. These efforts build on years of relentless advocacy from the community to safeguard the Upper Pecos Watershed from all mineral development and we can’t afford to lose the progress made.
I am also proud to support the Buffalo Tract Protection Act and legislation to establish the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness in Taos County. In addition, I support the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act, which would maintain funding for conservation and cultural programs in northern New Mexico, as well as the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act, which would establish protections for the Gila River, its watershed, and the surrounding landscape.
Once again, thank you for expressing your concerns on this important matter. I am humbled to serve New Mexico in the Senate, and I look forward to continuing to hear from you. I hope you will consider keeping in contact with me by subscribing to my newsletter. If you are looking for assistance navigating a federal agency, or would like to speak to a member of my staff in New Mexico, please visit my website for more information.
Sincerely,
Ben Ray Luján
United States Senator
December 23, 2024
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument Management Plan
The Bureau of Land Management, Taos Field Office announce the approval of a Monument Management Plan for Río Grande del Norte National Monument. They followed the Presidential Proclamation precluding motorized trails within the monument. We thank the BLM for following protocol .
August 5, 2024
Albuquerque Open Space Meeting
After drafting letters and petitions to the councilors objecting and asking them to put this amendment on hold until further transparency is given to the public. They rejected the offer. However, they left it up to City Parks and Recreational Department to trail layouts. City Parks and Recreation did disallowed e-bikes on certain trails of interest to us.
We thank everyone who signed the petition and wrote letters to the City Council.
May 2024-
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument Management Plan
The National Monument area of the Rio Grande del Norte is changing their plan to allow e-bikes on all trails. However as noted in all National Monuments :
Final NEPA# DOI-BLM-NM-F020-2020-0015-EA
After further, careful review, the BLM recognizes that the Presidential Proclamation that established Rio Grande del Norte National Monument precludes motorized trails within the Monument. Therefore, e-bikes are permitted to be used only on roads designated OHV Open.
Public comment until May 23, 2024
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2024165/510
March 2024-
National Economic Impact Study of the US Horse Industry
Our partners, the American Horse Council (AHC) and the AHC Foundation, recently released their highly-anticipated National Economic Impact Study of the US Horse Industry. AHC conducts the rigorous survey roughly every five years. BCHA is one of many organizations that provides financial contributions to assist the extensive research necessary to produce the report. The latest results highlight the significant and growing contributions to the US economy that result from the multi-faceted equine industry.
AHC’s report includes a comprehensive overview of economic benefits and trends within the recreation sector, which the report describes as “the largest sector of the horse industry”—larger than the US competition and racing sectors. The report will serve as an important frame of reference for AHC, BCHA and partners when shared with elected officials, state and federal land management agencies, and the tourism industry.
Importantly, the report notes that trail riding is enjoyed by 9.8% of the US population, or by about 13 million households. The vast majority of trail riders, 87%, utilize public lands. According to the report:
“The recreation sector supports more than 277,000 direct jobs and adds $14.5 billion in direct value to the national economy. These direct impacts drive a further $22 billion in added value to the economy and more than 189,000 jobs from indirect and induced effects.”
February 2024-SB9
The "Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund" passed and was signed by the governor. Thank you to all who help get the vote out! Now fully funded to 10 State programs which include forest restoration, building trails, and emergency relief for wildfires.
February 2023 -BLM Socorro Public Comment
Re: DOI:BCM-NM-A020-0037-EA
The Socorro office has completed an EA for trails that connect the Socorro Rodeo and Sport Complex to Box Canyon Recreation Area, and the trail is currently open for Non-Motorized multi-use. They have proposed some different stacked loops, as well as a potential way of connecting down to the Bosque trail system using a cement culvert under I-25. They are asking for allowance for class 1,2,&3 E-bike use on these non-motorized trails and are planning a total of 500 miles of trails for future use. Public comment is until Feb. 24,2023. Please go to this link and give your opinion. BCHNM is in support of the trail system, however non-motorized trails are just that non-motorized, and the new ruling down from BLM 43 CFR 8340.0-5(a) allows the overseeing managers to decide whether to allow e-bikes on non-motorized trails. Say no to e-bikes on trails for equine, hikers, and mountain bikers. Follow this link: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022862/510
October 2022 -
NM Outdoor Economics Conference
NMOE was held in Taos from Oct 5-7, 2022. They had an attendance of 350 people. Many dignitaries were there such as county, state, federal, and outdoor groups such as fish, bicycling, hunting, and more. A new state division started in 2017, NM Outdoor Recreation Division is starting a campaign called, “Slow & Say Hello!” instead of the traditional triangle design on right of way. The main goal is to eliminate conflict with users.
Also noted, the Horse Thief Mesa Trail will be part of the Rio Grande Trail. Also, a few equestrian trails are being designed in the Carson National Forest Area. Construction to begin on the parking lot in Summer of 2023. The Enchanted Circle Trails Association attended and have several trails for horses and would love to have a group adopt a trail for maintenance. They are all National Forest or Wilderness areas and he’s done all the paperwork to have it done. In return, you’ll get signage identifying your group.
On the San Lorenzo trail near Socorro, the state is working on making it an example of an “Adaptive Trail System” throughout the state. They are looking at state lands and seeing which ones can be converted for trail use. They are also working on the Petroglyphs trail as well. The minimum time frame from start to finish is 4 years.
May 2021- Horse Thief Mesa TMP
Horse Thief Mesa is part of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, BLM, and US Forest Lands. They are revising their plans to allow a variety of trails to run together. As equestrians we are concerned with over lapping with motor vehicles and the layout of the parking areas. We voiced our concerns and revisions were made.
After review of the public comments, the agency chose Alternative E, which approves 14 miles of new trail segments contingent upon pending surveys that provide for the avoidance of important cultural and biological resources and the completion of respective consultations with Native American Tribes, the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as required by law.
The decision also includes limiting motorized travel to 6.34 miles of routes to maintain access for fishing, hunting, fuelwood collection, and other uses, while closing approximately 10 miles of largely redundant two-track routes.and as of January 2024 they have received access for the parking area and working on completing
Update: In January 2024 they gained access to National Forest Lands, and with additional funding will complete the parking area.
August 18, 2020 - Hale Lake Management EA
BCHNM responded to the Hale Lake Area Management Public Comment period in the Smokey Bear Ranger District in the Lincoln National Forest. The Plan proposed giving special designation to e-Bikes to non-motorized trails. BCHNM opposes motorized bicycles (e-bikes) onto trails that are intended to be shared by hikers, equestrians, and others. Our primary concerns were safety, potential impacts of e-bike use, not supporting the EA analysis of the Forest Service policy, and the main fact is an e-bike is motorized and should not be on a non-motorized trail.
Final Decision: Successful
Hale Lake responded with eliminating e-bikes from non-motorized trails.
April 10, 2020 - Revision of Forest Plan for the Gila National Forest
Backcountry Horsemen stated the following :
Building partnerships and volunteerism in assisting with the planning and maintenance of all trail systems. A well distributed trail system should be maintained to protect the opportunities for solitude, to implement and maintain the purpose of the wilderness, and not be limited. In 2019, the Gila chapter cleared trees and maintained 135 miles of trail in the Gila. Many of those severely degraded.
Continuing to maintain historic structures such as the log cabin at Mogollon Baldy, Hillsboro Peak, and White Creek cabin.
Final Decision : Feb. 1 2025