What YOU Can Do

Call AND write to Senator Bingaman’s office.

Tell the Senator that you just heard about the Taos County National Conservation Area (NCA) proposal and that you strongly support his initiative. Be sure to follow up your call with a letter.

202-224-6621

Senator Jeff Bingaman

703 Hart Senate Office Bldg

Washington, DC 20510

Write to one or all of the three newspapers below.

Express your support for Senator Bingaman’s Taos County NCA proposal. Be sure to include your name, location and day time phone number.

Taos News: forum@taosnews.com

Santa Fe New Mexican: letters@sfnewmexican.com

Albuquerque Journal: opinion@abqjournal.com

Talking Points

Feel free to include any of your own observations or experiences in the area.

The proposed NCA includes some of the most spectacular scenery in all of New Mexico;

Existing uses, such as ranching, hunting, fishing and rafting would not be impacted by the creation of the NCA. In fact, those uses would be protected and encouraged;

The establishment of the proposed NCA and associated Wilderness will provide for future generations of New Mexicans continuing opportunities to enjoy the recreational opportunities to hunt, fish, observe wildlife, and experience solitude;

Creation of the NCA and Wilderness areas would give local communities a natural attraction and resource to use as part of a long-term sustainable economic development plan.

The rights of private land owners within the NCA boundaries will be respected if they choose to not trade their land.

Area Description

The Ute Mountain unit is located about 28 miles north-northwest of Taos, adjacent to the Colorado border in Taos County. It is adjacent to the Rio Grande Gorge inventory unit. The dominant feature in the unit is Ute Mountain itself which rises over 2,600 feet out its surrounding sage plain to top out at 10,093 feet. Ute Mountain makes for a rugged complement to Rio Grande Gorge carved along its western flank. All drainages within the unit lead directly to the Rio Grande or to the Rio Costilla shortly before it carves its canyon down to the Rio Grande. Elevations in the unit range from 7,500 feet to 10,093 feet. Ute Mountain was recently acquired by BLM from a willing seller. It is one of the best public lands acquisitions to occur in many years anywhere in the west.