Letter to Secretary Zinke, Department of Interior - Honor New Mexicans' Views and Leave Monuments Alone

Letter

Dear Secretary Zinke:

We write to you today on behalf of our constituents, who are committed to keeping the Organ Mountains -- Desert Peaks and the Rio Grande del Norte National Monuments intact as established under the Antiquities Act. These national monuments showcase the abundance of natural beauty and archeological wonders of New Mexico -- that bring locals and visitors from across America together.

As you saw firsthand during your visit to New Mexico, these two national monuments enjoy broad public support and are important engines for our local jobs and economies. In Las Cruces, more than 600 local residents, sportsmen, veterans, Hispanic leaders, members of tribes and faith groups, and business and community leaders packed a town hall meeting to share their stories and express how much they cherish these special places. The voices of New Mexicans could not be clearer -- our national monuments are vitally important to our history and are part of the living culture of local tribes and pueblos. Our local communities worked for decades to ensure that permanent protections for our national monuments would be in place for the use and enjoyment of future generations.

We have shared our support for these national monuments in their current form with you through letters, Congressional hearings, phone calls, staff-to-staff communication, and meeting you personally in New Mexico. You invited the American people to participate in two public comment periods and over 90 percent of the more than 2.7 million responses supported keeping or expanding our existing national monuments. The public has spoken loudly and clearly to protect -- and not alter or eliminate --national monuments.

The American people have a strong sense of pride and deep connection to our public lands. Our national monuments have been thoughtfully conserved by presidents of both parties for more than 100 years. The vision of the leaders who protected our most wild lands, darkest skies, rare ecosystems, scenic landscapes, historical sites, and culturally significant tribal resources was for all Americans to enjoy and learn from these amazing places.

We encourage you to end your review with a recognition and renewed commitment to properly care for and manage all of our national monuments as designated under the Antiquities Act, and not to make changes that would damage and degrade their unique values. And we strongly urge you to honor the views from New Mexicans who love the Organ Mountains -- Desert Peaks and the Rio Grande del Norte National Monuments.

Sincerely,

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