But Mr. Chairman, one of the technical amendments that we are looking at, and I think this is something that Mr. Labrador may be able to find some support for as we get a chance to talk about grazing as well, is making sure that the…

Mr. Chairman, thank you very much.

The local people, the land grant areas, also are very supportive of this legislation. They do not want to see their land, their common lands, up for exploration of businesses or for these lands to be sold.

I am confident, with a few technical changes, that the bill can be strengthened to protect the heritage of New Mexico, and I am committed to do that.

While I appreciate the intent of my fellow Congressman, Mr. Labrador, his bill is a good beginning to a conversation on how to address the backlog of grazing permit renewals.

I am a strong advocate of efforts that encourage private sector job growth.

Thank you so much for your advocacy, and my best to your family.

H.R. 1241, a bill to establish the Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area, is a big step forward in the effort to protect environmentally sensitive areas as well as recognize the traditional uses of the land that means so much to…

We want to thank you and all of the witnesses that are here today for being with us to talk about this important legislation bills--one that protects cultural and traditional uses of land, landscapes in New Mexico; another protects marine…

I appreciate this opportunity to urge your support for H.R. 1241 to establish the Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area.

As you know, my State of New Mexico has enormous potential for solar power development, I think, in the United States, only second to Arizona.

This is something that is critically important.

We have some challenges associated with how categorical exclusions are evaluated.

In my district, tribal communities continue to struggle for access to clean drinking water, and rural communities face challenges in developing waste water treatment infrastructure.

I would like to see a template so that if a company followed that template, they could just go ahead with the construction.

Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. And I want to thank you for bringing us together with all of our tribal leaders and all of our witnesses today.

Under President Barack Obama, production is up.

It is my box of chargers, but actually this is a conversation I had with my mother years ago about the frustration that she had as well...