[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[May 22, 1992]
[Pages 817-818]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting Proposed Legislation on New 
Mexico Public Lands Wilderness Designation

May 22, 1992
Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    I am pleased to submit for congressional consideration and passage 
the ``New Mexico Public Lands Wilderness Act''.
    The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), (43 
U.S.C. 1701, et seq.), directs the Secretary of the Interior to review 
the wilderness potential of the public lands.
    The review of the areas identified in New Mexico began immediately 
after the enactment of FLPMA and has now been completed. Approximately 
908,000 acres of public lands in 50 areas in New Mexico met the minimum 
wilderness criteria and were designated as wilderness study areas 
(WSAs). These WSAs were studied and analyzed during the review process 
and the results documented in six environmental impact statements and 
one instant study area report.
    Based on the studies and reviews of the WSAs, the Secretary of the 
Interior recommends that all or part of 23 of the WSAs, totaling 487,186 
acres of public lands, be designated as part of the National Wilderness 
Preservation System. From these 23 WSAs, the Secretary proposes to 
designate 22 wilderness areas by consolidating two WSAs into one 
wilderness area.
    I concur with the Secretary of the Interior's recommendations and am 
pleased to recommend designation of the 22 areas (totaling 487,186 
acres) identified in the enclosed draft legislation as additions to the 
National Wilderness Preservation System.
    The proposed additions represent the diversity of wilderness values 
in the State of New Mexico. These range from the relatively undisturbed 
and expansive stretch of the Chihuahuan Desert in the West Potrillo 
Mountains, to the canyons of the Gila and Chama Rivers, to the rocky 
peaks of the Organ Mountains, Big Hatchet Mountains, and the Sierra 
Ladrones. These areas span a wide variety of New Mexico landforms, 
ecosystems, and other natural systems and features. Their inclusion in 
the wilderness system will improve the geographic distribution of 
wilderness areas in New Mexico, and will complement existing areas of 
congressionally designated wilderness. They will provide new and 
outstanding opportunities for solitude and unconfined recreation.
    The enclosed draft legislation provides that designation as 
wilderness shall not constitute a reservation of water or water rights 
for wilderness purposes. This is consistent with the fact that the 
Congress did not establish a Federal reserved water right for wilderness 
purposes. The Administration has established the policy that, where it 
is necessary to obtain water rights for wilderness purposes in a 
specific wilderness area, water rights would be sought from the State by 
filing under State water laws. Furthermore, it is the policy of the 
Administration that the designation of wilderness areas should not 
interfere with the use of water rights, State water administration, or 
the use of a State's interstate water allocation.

[[Page 818]]

    The draft legislation also provides for access to wilderness areas 
by Indian people for traditional cultural and religious purposes. Access 
by the general public may be limited in order to protect the privacy of 
religious cultural activities taking place in specific wilderness areas. 
In addition, to the fullest extent practicable, the Department of the 
Interior will coordinate with the Department of Defense to minimize the 
impact of any overflights during these religious cultural activities.
    I further concur with the Secretary of the Interior that all or part 
of 39 of the WSAs encompassing 420,400 acres are not suitable for 
preservation as wilderness and should be released for multi-use 
management.
    Also enclosed are a letter and report from the Secretary of the 
Interior concerning the WSAs discussed above and a section-by-section 
analysis of the draft legislation. I urge the Congress to act 
expeditiously and favorably on the proposed legislation so that the 
natural resources of these WSAs in New Mexico may be protected and 
preserved.
    Sincerely,

                                                             George Bush

                    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. 
                        Foley, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
                        and Dan Quayle, President of the Senate.