I also want to thank this panel for being very specific at this point in land, very constructive.

I am pleased to note that, with passage of S. 1689, families many generations from now will have that same opportunity--to enjoy a small slice of solitude while just outside of the bustling Las Cruces metropolitan area.

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

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.

Your questions were to the point and fair.

I believe that there is great potential for this area to provide tourism-related jobs.

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

Protecting the natural beauty of our mountains is incredibly important.

I think they're out there, on the ground, dealing with this every day.

Congress has specifically stated that wilderness can not be used to reduce animal unit months.