There is strong community support to permanently protect the Río Grande del Norte as a national monument. Click here for a complete list of supporters.
Business and Local Support
The Santa Fe and Taos City Councils, Taos County Commission, Taos County Chamber of Commerce, Taos Green Chamber of Commerce , the Taos Business Alliance and the Taos Tourism Council all support a national monument to protect an area that is seen as a key part of the region’s natural resource based tourism economy.
More than 150 Taos County businesses have signed letters supporting the area’s protection.
Sportsmen and Community Support
Organizations including the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited and Vet Voice Foundation all support the national monument as a way to ensure people’s ability to continue enjoy the area for hunting, fishing and other recreational opportunities as well as protecting the region’s diverse Hispanic and tribal heritage.
Tribal and Congressional Support
In 2013, the Taos Pueblo passed a resolution supporting the protection of Rio Grande del Norte as a national monument.
Legislation to protect Rio Grande del Norte was reintroduced in both the 111th and 112th Congresses with support from Reps. Lujan and Heinrich, and Sens. Bingaman and Udall. This legislation was supported by diverse stakeholders.
In November of 2011, the area was included in the Department of Interior’s Preliminary Report on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lands Deserving Protection, which highlighted special areas on BLM lands deserving of permanent protection.
Unfortunately, Washington politics has gotten in the way of protection.