ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (September 18, 2020) – New Mexico Wild Executive Director Mark Allison today released the following statement in support of new legislation – The Pecos Watershed Protection Act (S. 4599) – to withdraw all federally-managed minerals in the Pecos River watershed from future leasing sales. The legislation is sponsored by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich.
“While this legislation would not in itself end the threat from the current mining exploration proposal from the Australian corporation New World Resources Limited, it recognizes how important it is to keep the Pecos watershed intact. This special area is far richer for its cultural, historic, habitat, and recreational values, than it is for any mineral development. The surrounding communities have fresh memories from the devastation wrought by past mining activities and this legislation sends a clear message that multinational mining corporations need to look elsewhere. We thank Senator Heinrich for his continued leadership in looking out for New Mexico’s irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage.”
-Mark Allison, Executive Director, New Mexico Wild
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