May 1, 2017 - Over 180 New Mexico businesses owners, other leaders sign Congressional letter ... include over 150 sites
For Immediate Release May 1, 2017 Contact: Alexandra Merlino, 917-721-3127
New Mexico Business Community Protests National Monument Executive Order
Over 180 New Mexico businesses owners, other leaders sign Congressional letter, admonishing President Trump and urging NM Delegation to remain vigilant
NEW MEXICO, STATEWIDE – Over 180 business owners and other community leaders sent a letter this morning to the New Mexico Congressional delegation, protesting an Executive Order signed by President Trump last week that directs U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke to review all national monuments designated since 1996. This 120-day review will include Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks and Rio Grande del Norte national monuments, in the southern and northern part of New Mexico, respectively. The letter, which boasts wide support from business leaders across sectors and industries, noted that “behind each monument is a history of many years of public discussion, legislative efforts, and boundary adjustments to address stakeholder concerns, all of which ultimately resulted in the national monuments' establishment.” The letter said Trump’s Executive Order “is counter to the wishes and careful deliberation of our communities” and contrasted the Trump administration’s plan to revisit “across multiple states and dozens of sites in 120 days what collectively played out over scores of years.” The signers also thanked Senators Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall, as well as Representatives Ben Ray Lujan and Michelle Lujan Grisham, for their continued support of New Mexico public lands, specifically the national monument designations. “We are lucky in New Mexico to have strong champions for public lands, especially Senators Heinrich and Udall. They’ve been steering the national conversation in the right direction for some time, but this Executive Order represents a hard stop to that progress, or worse,” commented Alexandra Merlino, Executive Director of the Partnership for Responsible Business. “The statewide business community cares because Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks and Rio Grande del Norte monuments have been such a boom to the economy.”
“It’s documented. You can’t argue with the numbers,” according to Carrie Hamblen, CEO/President of the Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce. “Nationally, the outdoor recreation economy contributes $887 billion in consumer spending annually. In New Mexico, that translates to more than 64,000 jobs.” While the letter thanked most of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation, it also urged Representative Steve Pearce to reconsider his outspoken position of reducing the amount of protected public lands and reducing the size of Organ MountainsDesert Peaks. The monument, established in 2014, lies within Representative Pearce’s congressional district, has more than doubled its annual visitation since receiving its national monument designation. The letter comes out a day before the attack on national monuments and the Antiquities Act is expected to continue in hearing to be held on May 2 by the House Natural Resources Committee’s Federal Lands Subcommittee. Rep. Pearce is a member of this Subcommittee and his comments will be closely watched in New Mexico. National Monuments are designated through the Antiquities Act of 1906, and include over 150 sites of historic and scientific importance. “Since its inception, the Antiquities Act has allowed for presidents, both Republican and Democrat, to protect our historic and natural heritage with the national monument designation,” commented Glenn Schiffbauer, Executive Director of the Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce. “National monuments are the best of our country, and certainly some of the most important and beautiful sites in New Mexico. This Executive Order should be a huge flag for people who care about our public lands and heritage in New Mexico, and I am proud that our Green Chamber members recognize that undermining our national monuments and other public lands is a true threat to business and commerce in our state.” The full letter, including the list of businesses that signed, can be found on the Partnership for Responsible Business Website, at http://prbnewmexico.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/03/PRB-Sign-On-Letter-EO-FINAL.pdf.
### ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP FOR RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS The Partnership for Responsible Business is committed to projects that support local economies, reflect the needs of New Mexico’s unique communities, and support sustainable rural and urban economic development. We strive to create public awareness for businesses and consumers interested in investing in people, protecting our planet, and creating long-term sustainable profits.
