[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 132 (Wednesday, September 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1874-E1875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE OJITO WILDERNESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker. I rise today to introduce the 
``Ojito Wilderness Act.'' This bill designates the Ojito Wilderness 
Study Area in New Mexico as Wilderness, and takes specific federal 
public land in New Mexico into trust for the Pueblo of Zia.
  This bill establishes the Ojito Wilderness Study Area, an area 
totaling approximately 12,500 acres, as a permanent wilderness area to 
be protected pursuant to the 1964 Wilderness Act. The bill also 
provides for the purchase and transfer of adjacent Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) lands, contiguous to the established boundaries of the 
Pueblo of Zia, by the Pueblo. This land, an area totaling approximately 
13,000, will then be taken into trust and held for the benefit of the 
Pueblo by the Secretary of Interior, and would subsequently be managed 
by the Pueblo in perpetuity as wilderness.
  This proposal has been under consideration for many years, and I am 
pleased to have the opportunity today to take an important step toward 
making it law. The proposal has the explicit support of the Governor of 
New Mexico, the counties of Sandoval and Bernalillo, individual members 
of State government, the Pueblo of Zia and its members, numerous 
environmental groups, including the New Mexico Wilderness Coalition, 
the Wilderness Alliance, the Wilderness Society, and the Sierra Club, 
and business owners, private citizens, and landowners located nearby. 
Furthermore, the BLM has evaluated this area and found it to have 
sufficient land area and natural characteristics to qualify for full 
wilderness status and protection.
  The Ojito Wilderness Study Area is characterized by pristine and 
dramatic landforms and

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rock structures, and by several rare plant populations that are 
indigenous to the area. This area is also recognized for its high 
density of cultural and archeological sites, including sites that have 
religious significance to Pueblo Indians. Many paleontological 
specimens have been found in the area, and large areas of exposed 
dinosaur bones are currently visible on the surface of the land. As 
such, the area is a veritable outdoor classroom for people of all ages.

  This legislation has special significance to the Pueblo of Zia. The 
Pueblo's reservation lands currently lie in 2 noncontiguous sections. 
Zia has made a concerted effort over many years to adjoin its 
reservation lands by acquiring adjacent parcels of land. This 
legislation will help make this longstanding goal a reality.
  To facilitate the acquisition of this land, the Pueblo has worked in 
cooperation with other interested parties and the environmental 
community to reach a mutually satisfactory arrangement for protection 
of these important wildlands and to assure that the lands will be open 
to the general public. As part of the agreement, the Pueblo has 
developed a series of proposed conservation measures for the acquired 
lands including a requirement to manage the land as open space; a 
guarantee of continued public access to the lands for scientific, 
recreational, and educational purposes; a strict limitation on road 
vehicle use; and a ban on commercial development within the designated 
area.
  It is important to stress that all lands acquired by the Pueblo of 
Zia will be preserved as undeveloped open space with continued public 
access. Members of the public will have access to the acquired land for 
recreational, scientific, and educational uses, and for access to the 
Wilderness Area over existing roads. The legislation would prohibit new 
roads, buildings, mineral and oil and gas extraction, and ATV use. 
Therefore, the combined Zia acquisition and establishment of the Ojito 
Wilderness will enable approximately twice as much land to be protected 
than the establishment of the Wilderness Area alone.
  The Pueblo of Zia has waited many years to link the portions of its 
reservation lands that are separated by the Ojito Wilderness Study 
Area. The proposed land acquisition is the result of collaborative 
effort of many to assure that these important lands are protected 
forever. And, in an additional gesture of good faith, the Pueblo has 
waived its sovereign immunity from suit for matters arising under the 
provisions of this bill.
  Considering the above, I believe it is time to ensure the 
preservation, protection, and public access to this special area of New 
Mexico for future generations of Americans to enjoy forever. It is my 
pleasure to help facilitate this process, and I encourage my colleagues 
to join me in supporting this important legislation.

                          ____________________