Pecos, N.M. (September 26, 2022)- This Sunday, in celebration of National Public Lands Day, New Mexico Wild was joined by State and Federal Government Officials, the Upper Pecos Watershed Association, and local community members on a hike to the Recommended Wilderness Area of Thompson Peak (Glorieta Baldy). This hike allowed members of the public, community leaders, and policymakers the opportunity to see the land that is at risk if Comexico is allowed to proceed with their exploration for mining operations.
“The area within the Thompson Peak Recommended Wilderness Area (Glorieta Baldy) is a beautiful and sacred landscape with a diverse and fragile ecosystem that supports an array of flora and fauna. It’s home to me, and a place my family has depended on and enjoyed since the mid 1800’s . This area must be protected from mining interests in order to maintain our watershed’s health and water quality for all life and generations to come.” said Ralph Vigil, New Mexico Wild Northern Organizer & Pecos Resident“The proposed Thompson Peak Wilderness first appeared on our radar with the draft of the Santa Fe National Forest Land Use Plan three years ago. SFNF recommended 11,099 acres to be managed as wilderness. The Upper Pecos Watershed Association thought it was a great idea to offer more protection to the Upper Pecos Watershed, as well protection for the Santa Fe Watershed which borders the proposed wilderness for nine miles on the east boundary. “ said Lela McFerrin, of the Upper Pecos Water Association
“I have hiked Glorieta Baldy and Thompson Peak for forty years. It is some of the most rugged and wild country in the state. There are places of beauty and wonder that only a few people have seen. Although the bears like it just fine without humans, this wilderness proposal will allow access for our future generations. “ said Jerry O’Shea Pecos Community Member
The protection of Thompson Peak Recommended Wilderness Area is crucial to the preservation of the Pecos Watershed from irresponsible mining operations like those that contaminated this same river in the 1990’s. The Pecos Watershed and community are still recovering from that contamination that killed over 90,000 fish and cost millions of state taxpayer funds for clean-up.
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Visit our Tererro Mine Campaign page to learn more.
