Residents share concerns over possible Organ Mtns National Momument

Renewed efforts are underway to designate the Organ Mountains and surrounding areas as a national monument. The idea has many supporters, including President Barack Obama. But there’s concern from residents — including the sheriff — that it could cause more harm than good.

The proposed 500,000 acres is a huge chunk of land in Doa Ana county, and includes historic petroglyph sites and managed wilderness areas. Sheriff Todd Garrison is concerned about what the federal restrictions could mean for local law enforcement efforts.

“The access is going to be controlled by people on horseback, people walking,” Garrison said. “It’s not going to be that way for people going through there illegally. Law-abiding citizens will obey those laws, but criminals will not.”

For Garrison, it comes down to preventing crime as best he can. He says that if the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument were to be established with similar restrictions to other national parks and monuments along the border in Texas and Arizona, it could become a highway for drug smugglers and illegal immigrants. The sheriff has had similar concerns with previous efforts towards creating a protected area, which often involves restricting or even prohibiting motor vehicle traffic for large sections.

Garrison says that would interfere with the sheriff’s ability to effectively patrol the area, and that the sheriff’s office hasn’t had the chance to give its say on how such a protected area should be handled.

“Nobody does come and talk to us about that,” Garrison said. “So, it’s an issue that I’m concerned with. If they were really concerned about what local law enforcement has to say, why have they never reached out and come to talk to us. That’s what I’d like to know.”

Other Doa Ana residents also expressed their support and opposition to the creation of a national monument at a county commissioners meeting Tuesday. Commissioners have previously voted in support of the idea, but residents are in disagreement over what exact limits such a designation would place on the large area of land. Ranchers are concerned that grazing lands could be impacted, or even blocked off. Businesses worry that they’ll be fenced in by the large area, preventing growth.

Speaking in opposition, Jim Harbison of the Western Conservationist Movement said “From our perspective, it locks up 1 of every 4 acres of Dona Ana County. It constrains business and agricultural producers. It adversely impacts the economic outlook for the county.”

Supporters of the idea say that it will be a benefit to the area overall, and needs to move forward.

Peter Rosario of the Coalition for the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument said “No resident or no group should have a veto over this well-thought out, long planned, established proposal. Please continue your support for a robust national monument, not some watered-down version.”

New Mexico Sens. Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall, and U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce have all proposed legislation on the designation, but it could be pushed through much quicker if Obama uses an executive order to create the national monument.