Statement of

Henri Bisson, Deputy Director

Bureau of Land Management

Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee

Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests

H.R. 2632, Sabinoso Wilderness Act

July 16, 2008

Thank you for inviting me to testify on H.R. 2632, the Sabinoso Wilderness Act  The Department of the Interior supports H.R. 2632, a bill designating 15,995 acres of BLM-managed land in northwestern New Mexico as the Sabinoso Wilderness area. 

The Department strongly supports Congressional efforts to resolve wilderness designations throughout the West, and we welcome this opportunity to further those efforts.  Only Congress can determine whether to designate Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) as wilderness or release them for other multiple uses.  We support the resolution of WSA issues and stand ready to work with Members of Congress toward this goal.

The Sabinoso area provides a rugged and dramatic landscape.  Deep sinuous canyons are interspersed with flat-topped mesas in an area that has changed little over the last several hundred years.  While there is both archaeological and historical evidence of sporadic human visitation, the rough nature of the terrain has discouraged all but the hardiest.  Today, the canyons and mesas are home to mule deer, elk, mountain lion, and wild turkey.  Golden eagles and turkey vultures soar off the thermals rising from sandstone canyon walls. 

The Department is concerned about ensuring that consideration is given to energy potential when any legislative proposal for special designation is considered.  The BLM has reviewed the traditional and renewable energy values of the proposed Sabinoso Wilderness, and has determined that there is low or no potential for energy development within the area. 

The BLM is currently working with the state on a land exchange which would result in the acquisition of state land inholdings within the proposed wilderness.  This process should be completed within a year.  We also are in discussions with private landowners in the area about acquiring either conservation easements or fee title of some of the private inholdings.  The BLM only explores such options from willing landowners. 

The local community has worked in the spirit of cooperative conservation to reach consensus on the proposed designation.  The New Mexico House of Representatives and San Miguel County, New Mexico have passed resolutions in support of wilderness designation of Sabinoso. 

Thank you for the opportunity to testify.  I will be happy to answer any questions.