During a recent business meeting of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), who serves as the committee’s Ranking Member, stressed the importance of passing bipartisan legislation to improve access to public lands in New Mexico. In his opening statement, Heinrich highlighted his Continental Divide Completion Act, which aims to finish the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and enhance safety and enjoyment for hikers.
Heinrich noted, “The CDT is not just for through-hikers; for many New Mexicans, the CDT is their local trail. The trail where they walk their dog or spend time with their families. And the problem has been that there are still many gaps in the trail, where hikers have to literally hike on roads, even highway shoulders to connect from one segment to the next.”
He added, “The Continental Divide Completion Act, which we will consider today, would direct the land management agencies to work with trail users and local communities to fill in the gaps and complete this trail. I want to thank Senator Daines for partnering with me on this legislation.”
The committee considered 12 bills during its session. Among them were other measures supported by Heinrich:
- The New Mexico Land Grant-Mercedes Historical or Traditional Use Cooperation and Coordination Act (S. 1363), introduced by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), seeks to improve coordination between New Mexico land grants and federal land agencies regarding traditional uses.
- The Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act (S. 1787), introduced by Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), proposes establishing a National Conservation Area and Special Management Area along Colorado’s Dolores River.
- The Wyoming Education Trust Modernization Act (S. 2273), sponsored by Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), would give Wyoming more flexibility in managing revenues from state lands.
Heinrich remarked on these additional bills: “S. 1363 would improve coordination between New Mexico land grants and the public land agencies on traditional uses of public land. S. 1787 would protect the Dolores River in Colorado by establishing a National Conservation Area and Special Management Area on the public land along this river. And lastly, S. 2273 would allow the state of Wyoming greater flexibility in how they manage state revenues derived from state lands.”
He concluded his remarks by emphasizing that addressing issues related to state trust lands is crucial for states like New Mexico that rely on Congressional action for changes in revenue management.
