White Sands being considered as national park

ALAMOGORDO — County Commissioners will discuss and consider action on White Sands National Monument being designated as a national park and its impacts to residents of Otero County at their upcoming commission meeting Friday, Dec. 9.

Most people might not know that WSNM is in fact not considered a national park or that there is any difference at all when it comes to national parks and national monuments.

Commissioner Janet White said there is a difference and that difference lies on how it was created.

“The difference between a park and a monument has nothing to do with the size or location but really it has to do with the way it was created,” White said. “A national park is created by an act of congress whereas a national monument is created by the signature of an executive order by the president. That’s the only difference on how they’re created.”

According to the American Antiquities Act of 1906, a national park is an area of land that is owned and protected by national government because of its natural beauty or its importance to history or science. A national monument is a place of historic, scenic, or scientific interest set aside for preservation usually by presidential proclamation.

The National Parks Services oversees all parks and some monuments. However, the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Defense and the Bureau of Land Management may also supervise the monuments, depending on the location of the lands and the reason for their protection.

Congress designates national parks while presidential proclamations establish monuments.

According to the National Parks Services website, WSNM was established by President Herbert Hoover on Jan. 18, 1933. More acres were later added by President Franklin Roosevelt on Nov. 28, 1934 and more acres were again added by President Dwight Eisenhower on June 24, 1953.

WSNM has seen more visitors than any other National Park Service site in New Mexico in every year since 1995. White Sands received an average of over 502,000 people each year during that time period, and saw almost a third of all visitation to New Mexico’s National Park Service site in recent years.

The 'Today Show' visits White Sands Monument

In 2015, these visitors generated $25.7 million through visitor spending in the local economy and supported almost 400 jobs, $9.3 million in labor income and $29.4 million in economic output. Non-local visitors contributed 98.8 percent of that economic output, directly growing the economy in Otero County and the surrounding region.

Although WSNM is a monument it is still recognized by the National Parks Services and is managed in the same way as all national parks.

“It’s a part of the national parks system and it’s managed the same way, there’s no difference in the management between a monument and park,” White said. “For all purposes it is a national park. But for me, a monument is a stone structure like an obelisk like the Washington Monument.”

She said calling it a national park would be better so visitors won’t be confused.

“Calling it a national park gives people the impression that there’s recreational activities and opportunities, whereas if they were totally unfamiliar with it they might look at White Sands National Monument and think they’re going to see a stone with a brass plaque on it,” White said. “The next step would be probably to have the Department of Interior and the Department of Defense agree on the land slots that are involved in this bill to make a change.”

She said Sen. Martin Heinrich was the one who proposed the idea and is currently working on establishing WSNM as a national park.

Heinrich is planning to introduce legislation to designate WSNM as a national park to support the Tularosa Basin’s local economy, highlight significant new discoveries and help mark the National Park Service Centennial.

According to a press release from Heinrich’s office, Heinrich stated that he is proud to work with leaders in Otero County and southern New Mexico to help White Sands receive the recognition it deserves by designating it as a national park.

“Our national parks are uniquely American and offer endless opportunities to explore America’s natural and historical treasures. National park designation will help support our local economies and continue to enrich New Mexico’s outdoor traditions,” Heinrich stated. “Everyone who has seen the crystal white gypsum dunes at White Sands National Monument knows that its remarkable geology, spectacular scenery and outstanding recreation are worthy of a national park designation. Researchers have discovered nationally significant resources within the last decade at White Sands that have reshaped our understanding of the wildlife and human history in and around the dune field, creating new opportunities at the monument.”

White said she has spoken with Heinrich’s representatives and hopes they can continue the discussion for possible action.

“Let’s get our terms correct and make sure we’re all talking about the same things. I would like to get all the positives and concerns addressed early on so we don’t blow the whole process,” she said. “However, if any property rights are accessed or negatively affected that’s a game changer for me, it’s a no go for me. I have a reputation of protecting property rights and will continue to do that.”

The next county commission meeting is Friday, Dec.9 at 9 a.m. at the Otero County Administration Building, 1101 New York Ave., Rm. 123.