WHAT IS WILDERNESS?

Citizens’ Wilderness and National Conservation Area Proposal

Many groups have endorsed the Citizens' Wilderness and National Conservation Area Proposal, which has three goals:

1. To formally designate Wilderness certain areas including Broad Canyon, the East Potrillo Mountains, and the eight Wilderness Study Areas recommended by the BLM;

2. To create a National Conservation Area for the unique east mountain range that would permanently protect the Organ Mountains, the Doña Ana Mountains, and Tortugas "A" Mountain;

3. To avoid changes to the current Bureau of Land Management (BLM) policy on land sales ("disposal"), including how sale revenues are allocated.

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Citizens’ Proposed Wilderness: Organ Mountain Area

• Organ Mountain Area Organ Mountains WSA: 7,212 acres
• Peña Blanca WSA: 5,958 acres
• Organ Mountain Needles WSA: 4,781 acres

Total Area Proposed for Wilderness: 20,800 acres

The Organ Mountains are the scenic backdrop to Las Cruces and Doña Ana County’s most recognizable feature. Organ Needle is the high point in the county, topping out at slightly over 9,000 feet in elevation. In a mere three miles to the west at the edge of the unit, the elevation drops over 4,000 feet, making the Organ Mountains one of the steepest mountain ranges in the western United States. The presence of springs in the Organs makes the area critically important to wildlife including golden eagles, mule deer, Montezuma quail, and mountain lions. Unique animal species occurring in the Organs are the peregrine falcon, and the Organ Mountain chipmunk among others.

The main uses of the area include hiking, camping, birding, horseback riding, and hunting. Livestock grazing is permitted to continue under the Wilderness Act of 1964.

Citizens’ Proposed Organ Mountain National Conservation Area

• Northern Unit: 22,331 acres
• Southern Unit: 74,138 acres

Total Area Proposed for the National Conservation Area: 96,469 acres

The National Conservation Area would conserve the natural beauty, open space, and high quality recreational opportunities for the spectacular skyline that defines our community. The NCA would also protect the Doña Ana mountains and culturally important Tortugas mountain.

Protecting this wild and open space will benefit current and future generations of New Mexico residents and visitors and ensure that the backdrop to the city of Las Cruces remains undeveloped but accessible for people to use and enjoy.

The BLM currently manages a 56,480 acre Organ Franklin Mountain Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) that runs north and south through southeastern Doña Ana County.

The main uses of the area include hiking, camping, birding, horseback riding, bike riding, livestock grazing and hunting.

Citizens’ Proposed Wilderness: Sierra de Las Uvas, Broad Canyon/Robledos Area

• Sierra de Las Uvas WSA: 11,068 acres
• Broad Canyon/Robledos: 75,966 acres (Robledo Mountain WSA is 13,028 acres)

Total Area Proposed for Wilderness: 87,034 acres

In between the Sierra de las Uvas WSA and the Robledo Mountains WSA is Broad Canyon. The Broad Canyon area, located south of Hatch, and northwest of Las Cruces, is unique because it encompasses lower elevation hills, ridges, basins and drainages and provides a pivotal wildlife connection between the Sierra del las Uvas and the Robledo Mountains. Wildlife found in the area includes pronghorn antelope, mule deer, mountain lions, foxes, coyotes, bats, rock squirrels, quail, and numerous other birds. The area is filled with archaeological and historical resources such as Lithic sites and petroglyphs. The historic Butterfield Trail runs through the southern portion of the Sierra de las Uvas unit.

The main uses of the area include hiking, camping, birding, horseback riding, and hunting. Livestock grazing is permitted to continue under the Wilderness Act of 1964.

Citizens’ Proposed Wilderness: Greater Potrillo Mountain Area

• Aden Lava Flow WSA: 25,846 acres
• West Potrillo Mountains WSA: 140,662 acres*
• Mt. Riley WSA: 8,489 acres
• East Potrillos Mountains: 22,620 acres

Total Area Proposed for Wilderness: 197,617 acres

The Potrillos showcase one of the most diverse volcanic landscapes in New Mexico. The area encompasses three wilderness study areas, the West Potrillo WSA, the Mount Riley WSA and Aden Lava Flow WSA, that lie side-by-side 35 miles southwest of Las Cruces, just above the Mexican border. This landscape includes 48 large cinder-cone mountains that rise up to 5,400 feet in elevation. Broad, creosote-covered plains slope gently to the east and west away from the central chain of cones.

Main uses of the area include livestock grazing, hunting, horseback riding, scientific study, hiking and camping.

* - This WSA overlaps into Luna County, this acreage figure only relates to Doña Ana County.

WHAT IS WILDERNESS?