Soil, Water District
Declares Emergency

GRANTS, N.M. — The McKinley Soil and Water Conservation District has declared a state of emergency in the Cibola National Forest in McKinley and Cibola counties.

Citing poor management practices by the U.S. Forest Service resulting in the threat of catastrophic fire and erosion, the district's board of supervisors passed a resolution last week declaring a state of emergency in the Cibola National Forest. They are requesting the Governor of New Mexico take action. They are also requesting that McKinley and Cibola counties adopt similar resolutions.

The soil and water conservation district board cited the federal Endangered Species Act and resulting designation of critical habitat as causes for the Forest Service's decisions to restrict timber harvesting in national forests. Decreased harvests have caused a buildup of fuels, which can result in wildfires like those occurring in New Mexico and other western states over the summer. In addition, dense tree growth prevents the growth of grass, accelerating soil erosion and limiting opportunities for grazing.

The resolution is similar to one passed by Otero County commissioners in August regarding the Lincoln National Forest. The Otero County resolution has been circulated among soil and water conservation districts throughout the state via the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts.