Otero Mesa

New Mexico’s Otero Mesa is the largest and wildest Chihuahuan Desert grassland left on public lands in America. The area is located southeast of Alamogordo, west of Carlsbad and straddles the Texas border.

Here in New Mexico we too share in notable landscapes, rich in history and opportunity. Otero Mesa is an irreplaceable natural treasure, our nation’s last intact Chihuahuan Grassland. Unfortunately, today Otero Mesa is under increasing threat from mining operations and the landscape scale molestation they would bring. Better protections are needed before this unique place is lost to us.

By bestowing National Monument status to Otero Mesa, President Obama can ensure permanence to this unique landscape and habitat.

Thank you for your help on this issue. Sierra Club members and supporters sent more than 600 e-mails to President Obama in support of making Otero Mesa a National Monument.

The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club has been leading efforts to make Otero Mesa into a National Monument. Another step forward occurred today when New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson sent a letter to President Obama urging him to act on this issue. The letter from Governor Richardson is attached.

This spring President Obama created the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative. This weekend leaders from the Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency met with New Mexicans in Albuquerque to learn about our views of this program. This is my viewpoint on this issue.

• We should all increase our use of the world-class outdoors opportunities that exist here in New Mexico.
• The Federal government should provide new, expanded, and better protected public lands.
• Increase opportunities for youth in the Great Outdoors.
• Support local economies by investing in public lands.
• Manage all public lands to comprehend climate change.

The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club is seeking permanent protection of Otero Mesa from oil and gas development, through BLM administrative options and through federal legislation.

April 2009 - The U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on litigation brought by the State of New Mexico, state agencies, and a number of conservation groups that stops oil and gas drilling on Otero Mesa.

Protect the grasslands of Otero Mesa from oil & gas drilling - contact Margot Wilson at 575-744-5860 or sierratrekker70@live.com