For Immediate Release: June 9, 2025
Full text of the letter HERE
Hundreds of New Mexicans Thank State’s Congressional Delegation for Defending Public Lands
Santa Fe, NM – In a powerful show of widespread support for public lands, environmental protections, and responsible land stewardship, hundreds of New Mexicans, including educators, retired professionals, artists, medical professionals, faith leaders, and environmental organizations signed onto a letter sent to the entire New Mexico congressional delegation, thanking them for their leadership in pushing back against renewed threats to public lands from the Trump administration and its Congressional allies.
The letter was delivered following the June 7 Defend National Monuments Day of Action, which is part of a broader movement to oppose potential Trump Administration attempts to rollback national monuments and other public land protections. These actions come on the heels of an April report by The Washington Post, which revealed the Trump administration is targeting six national monuments for potential reduction or privatization—one of which of is in New Mexico: Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks.
“New Mexicans have been clear in their opposition to efforts to dismantle our public lands system. These places are more than a number on a spreadsheet or locations on a map,” said Patrick Nolan, Executive Director of Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. “These are the places we find community, spend time outdoors and enjoy the solitude they offer. Their value to our communities is priceless. We applaud our federal delegation in their efforts to thwart these attacks to sell off our public lands and dismantle years of hard fought conservation wins.”
Before Memorial Day, House congressional republicans passed their version of the budget reconciliation bill by one vote. Some provisions in the bill aim to rollback vital clean energy incentives such as tax credits for wind, solar, electric vehicles, and domestic clean energy manufacturing. The bill also proposes to open up public lands and waters to mandatory oil and gas leasing, and it proposes introducing a “pay-to-play” permitting systems that allow polluters to buy expedited environmental reviews that are not subject to judicial oversight.
The letter voices strong opposition to proposals that would threaten national monuments and protected lands with private exploitation. It highlights widespread concern about efforts to dismantle environmental safeguards and roll back clean energy investments.
“Our congressional delegation is standing up for our cherished public lands, and New Mexicans are grateful. We’re watching the Trump Administration attempt to sell off our lands and open them up to more exploitation by the oil and gas industry and other corporate polluters,” said Miya King-Flaherty, Program Manager of the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter. “But New Mexicans want to keep our public lands in public hands. Our stunning landscapes are rich with history, create jobs, and boost the local economy. But most importantly, they belong to all of us. Our delegation continues to work tirelessly to reject policies that prioritize corporate profits over people, the climate, and our environment.”
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