'This is our land': New Mexico's tribal groups gear up to fight for their home

[Judi Lynn]

Source: The Observer

The Observer

'This is our land': New Mexico's tribal groups gear up to fight for their home
President Trump’s decision to review the designations of 27 national monuments has raised fears of a corporate giveaway – and the pueblos of the Rio Grande valley are worried

Edward Helmore in Rio Grande del Norte, New Mexico
Saturday 13 May 2017 07.00 EDT


As interior secretary Ryan Zinke arrived in Bears Ears national monument in southeastern Utah earlier this week to calm fears over proposals to reduce or redesignate 27 national monuments across 11 states, Taos Pueblo warchief Curtis Sandoval issued a stern warning: “If they allow drilling in the canyons, they’ll set off the volcanoes.”

Sandoval was referring to the volcanic cones that lie in the steep canyons within the Rio Grande del Norte national monument, a spectacular northern New Mexico site that stretches across 242,500 acres from Taos Pueblo reservation land to beyond the Colorado line.

But his warning may be more metaphorical than literal. The region, with its long history of land and water disputes, is gearing up for another battle between conservatives who fear the federal government will push ranchers and businesses off the land, and environmentalists who suspect a giveaway to corporate interests.

The Trump administration’s decision to review the designation of the Rio Grande del Norte monument, as well as the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks range 300 miles south toward Las Cruces, is bringing together a coalition of tribal leaders, sportsmen, ranchers, business owners and conservationists in opposition.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/may/13/trump-national-monuments-protect-lands

[enough]

1. Only a very short time allowed for public comment on this travesty.

13 days from now for Bears Ears, and 59 days the rest. They are hoping people won't wake up in time. Make sure everyone knows.

The information on how and where to make your public comment to the government is found in this thread by DUer bucolic_frolic:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029053679

Quote:

Beginning today, May 11, 2017, citizens can comment on the review by mail or through an online platform.

You may mail your written comments to:

Monument Review

MS-1530

U.S. Department of the Interior

1849 C Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20240

Online comments may be submitted via regulations.gov by searching for “DOI-2017-0002” or by using this direct link.

Note that all comments – including any personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time.

Comments related to Bears Ears National Monument must be submitted before May 26, 2017. Comments relating to all other National Monuments must be submitted before July 10,2017.

[bitterross]

4. As if Public Comment Really Matters

I hate to be Negative Ned, but it could be 100 times longer and it still wouldn't matter.

[enough]

5. This is going to be a long hard legal battle. Don't despair yet. NT

[certainot]

2. limbaugh station 770KKKOB will be major seller- while using the UNM lobo

it broadcasts sports for unm to attract advertisers

like all rw radio stations it always sells the con job and will attack any protestors etc.

they need to be protested....

[Erick the Read]

3. Off to Greatest Threads with You!

[Erick the Read]

6. Kick

Already Rec'd

[Bayard]

7. The area around Taos is beautiful

As is most of northern New Mexico. I've never heard of any big oil deposits there. But maybe that's not the intent. It seems like these people are just looking to destroy the environment everywhere on general principle.