the Dona Ana County Board of Commissioners has high regard for our area mountains, and we have been carefully watching the process by which wilderness legislation is being crafted.

I think it's amazing and truly gratifying to see our democratic processes work, because I think this is what this country's about.

We have to look at it comprehensively and study it.

We don't get in the room and talk about it sensibly, we talk about it independently, and that's the problem.

Senator Udall and his staff also played a very positive role in finalizing the legislation.

I would beg to disagree. But please go ahead, but there's a huge difference in the law between a discretionary act and an act where you say 'shall' where you instruct an agency to do something.

Protecting the natural beauty of our mountains is incredibly important.

the bill certainly compliments what we're trying to do with Vision 2040.

I beseech you to reconsider a 'quick fix' and give more time to this matter.

It doesn't change the position of New Mexico on this list, but it does show progress.

Senate Bill 1689 has serious ramifications that could directly affect this board's ability to adhere to that mandate.

Let us make the right choice for the above and more reasons, and let us preserve as much wilderness as can be preserved around our Organ Mountains.

Thank you, Senators Bingaman and Udall, for sponsoring this important legislation for our area.

There is now NO grazing in the Gila Wilderness, and to my knowledge NO use of emergency response (mechanized equipment) is allowed in this wilderness.

The disagreement, however, is not whether our lands need preservation and protection, but rather in the method which should be used in protecting our lands.

Your efforts to pass this legislation have sidestepped the real issues of border security.

Thanks to Senators Bingaman and Udall for sponsoring the legislation holding the Wilderness Field Hearings in Las Cruces on Feb 15th.

Thank you for holding a field hearing on this most important issue to the land.