N.M.'s Udall Backs
Big Wilderness Plan

SANTA FE — A New Mexico congressman has thrown his support behind an environmental activist group's efforts to double the amount of federal wilderness in the Land of Enchantment.

Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., threw his support to the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and their study of 2.5 million acres of potential wilderness area, almost double the land now under federal jurisdiction as designated wilderness in New Mexico.

The area of desert, rock and canyons would be protected from homebuilding, grazing, mining and off-road vehicles.

It was 35 years ago this month that New Mexicans convinced Congress to establish such wilderness areas as Pecos and Wheeler Peak. Congress has since added more than 1.5 million acres of wilderness in 21 places.

Bob Howard, chairman of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, says there are an additional 2.5 million acres that could qualify as federal wilderness.