Much still to be decided at monument

This week we celebrate the third anniversary of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, and anticipate the future opportunities the monument may bring.

At the same time, we understand that others feel less celebratory about this occasion, and look toward the future with concern.

And right now, we can’t say with certainty which side will prove to be right. That is because, while the monument has now been in place for three years, the process to establish land-use rules governing the monument is still taking place.

The federal process used by the Bureau of Land Management can be excruciatingly slow, as those waiting for approval on the southern road to Spaceport America can attest.

And so, if you are a monument supporter, you can envision a future with increased visitation to the area; interpretive signs leading to historic treasures; new trails and infrastructure such as visitor’s centers; and new protections to ensure that petroglyphs and other ancient artifacts are preserved for future generations.

If, however, you opposed the monument, all of your fears and concerns about lack of access remain.

“Perhaps the largest concern or fear from the ranching community is that, even after three years, there remains so much uncertainty,” Pat Boone, president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, wrote in an email to the Sun-News. “No one knows what the impacts, financial or otherwise, are going to be. The designation puts an additional layer of unknown bureaucracy on ranchers.”

It is likely that uncertainty that has fueled efforts to reduce the size of the monument. The OMDP is included in a list of monuments currently under review by the Interior Department.

We have always believed that land-use rules for the monument can and should give ranchers the freedom they need to continue operations unimpeded. We recognize there will be concern until that is committed to writing.

But we continue to see the monument as a positive for our area. It gives local tourism and marketing officials one more lure to use in bringing visitors to the area. Las Cruces doesn’t have one big destination attraction, so it is important to have multiple options for travelers considering a trip to the area, Chris Faivre of Visit Las Cruces explained.

Because of the size of the monument, and the fact that most areas have no way of tracking visitors, it is hard to get a precise number as to its economic impact. We do know that visitation is up in those parts of the monument where the numbers are tracked. The Dripping Springs Natural Area, Aguirre Spring Campground and the Soledad Canyon Day Use Area had an increase from 67,378 visitors in the year before the designation to 170,450 last year.

And, we know that the national monument has brought exposure to the area that could be beneficial in more ways than just tourism. There are new opportunities for guided trips through the area, and at least some local Realtors are incorporating the monument in their marketing efforts.

We look forward to a conclusion of the land-use process that will resolve the concerns of monument opponents, and hope for a future where the community can rally around the monument and ensure that we are able to take full advantage of these special lands, even as we ensure their future preservation.

—The Las Cruces Sun-News