EBasil
11-17-2003, 06:54 PM
Here's the latest developments in Otrero Canyon, with some frustrating developments and a call to action by the volunteers working on this one:
Friends of Otero
For Immediate Release: November 18, 2003
SECTION OF OTERO CANYON TRAILS CLOSED
Mountain bikers in the Otero Canyon area, west of Albuquerque,
discovered a Kirtland Air Force Base trail closure sign on the morning of
November 10, 2003. The sign states, "Danger: Live Weapons Firing Ranges. Do
not enter without permission of the installation commander. Violators will
be prosecuted." This sign, erected at the beginning of a trail built within
the last 5 years with US Forest Service knowledge, is located at the
intersection of the trail and Forest Road 530.
This trail closure has effectively closed the door on the public's
alternative fence proposal in whole despite its endorsement by Congresswoman
Heather Wilson, Congressman Tom Udall, Senator Jeff Bingaman, Bernalillo
County, The City of Albuquerque, The Village of Tijeras, and over 1800
individuals who have signed the Friends of Otero online petition. This marks
the first response from KAFB since the Public Meeting on June 23rd and the
closure of the public comment period on July 16th. Based on this response,
Friends of Otero is questioning the base's willingness to work with the
public on this issue that has proven to be of great interest to residents of
and tourists to New Mexico.
KAFB claims that this portion of land is located in the remote reaches
of their M-60 Firing Range. Previously KAFB had claimed a need for closure
of this land due to Homeland Security issues, and more recently Unexploded
Ordnance (UXO). However, KAFB had not addressed any safety precautions with
recreationists in Otero Canyon up until the June 23rd, 2003 Public Hearing
in which nearly 600 Otero Canyon supporters attended. KAFB had worked with
the public in the early 1990's and subsequently dropped any attempts to
close off this land at that time. The previous attempts by KAFB did not
address the newfound safety concerns stemming from the M-60 Firing Range.
This section of trail is nationally recognized and a valued part of the
Otero Canyon Trail System. Tourist visits to this trail network contribute
to the community of Tijeras, NM and its closure could impact the village's
economy. The trail leads to a popular view at the former US Forest Service
fire tower, which has been in existence since the 1930's and is considered
the crown jewel of the Otero Canyon Trail System. Access to the fire tower
is now prohibited because of this action by KAFB.
If you would like to share your opinion on this issue, you can contact
the Kirtland AFB Commander, Colonel Henry Andrews, directly at:
KAFB Commander
Col. Henry L. Andrews, Jr.
377th Air Base Wing Commander
2000 Wyoming Blvd. SE STE D-2
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5606
-----
A full PDF version of the press release, including a photo of the sign, can
be found here: http://www.saveotero.org/SignPR.pdf. Feel free to
distribute.
Concerns, comments, or questions can be directed to the Base Commander as
shown above or to any of the following Congressional Representatives:
Congresswoman Heather Wilson
ATTN: Carri Phillis
20 First Plaza
Suite 603
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
Sen. Jeff Bingaman
Suite 130
625 Silver Ave. SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Congressman Tom Udall
ATTN: Sarah Cobb
Rio Rancho City Hall
3900 Southern Blvd. SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
As always, thank you for your continued support for this ongoing issue.
Sincerely,
Friends of Otero
phusion@binaryinc.net
Friends of Otero
For Immediate Release: November 18, 2003
SECTION OF OTERO CANYON TRAILS CLOSED
Mountain bikers in the Otero Canyon area, west of Albuquerque,
discovered a Kirtland Air Force Base trail closure sign on the morning of
November 10, 2003. The sign states, "Danger: Live Weapons Firing Ranges. Do
not enter without permission of the installation commander. Violators will
be prosecuted." This sign, erected at the beginning of a trail built within
the last 5 years with US Forest Service knowledge, is located at the
intersection of the trail and Forest Road 530.
This trail closure has effectively closed the door on the public's
alternative fence proposal in whole despite its endorsement by Congresswoman
Heather Wilson, Congressman Tom Udall, Senator Jeff Bingaman, Bernalillo
County, The City of Albuquerque, The Village of Tijeras, and over 1800
individuals who have signed the Friends of Otero online petition. This marks
the first response from KAFB since the Public Meeting on June 23rd and the
closure of the public comment period on July 16th. Based on this response,
Friends of Otero is questioning the base's willingness to work with the
public on this issue that has proven to be of great interest to residents of
and tourists to New Mexico.
KAFB claims that this portion of land is located in the remote reaches
of their M-60 Firing Range. Previously KAFB had claimed a need for closure
of this land due to Homeland Security issues, and more recently Unexploded
Ordnance (UXO). However, KAFB had not addressed any safety precautions with
recreationists in Otero Canyon up until the June 23rd, 2003 Public Hearing
in which nearly 600 Otero Canyon supporters attended. KAFB had worked with
the public in the early 1990's and subsequently dropped any attempts to
close off this land at that time. The previous attempts by KAFB did not
address the newfound safety concerns stemming from the M-60 Firing Range.
This section of trail is nationally recognized and a valued part of the
Otero Canyon Trail System. Tourist visits to this trail network contribute
to the community of Tijeras, NM and its closure could impact the village's
economy. The trail leads to a popular view at the former US Forest Service
fire tower, which has been in existence since the 1930's and is considered
the crown jewel of the Otero Canyon Trail System. Access to the fire tower
is now prohibited because of this action by KAFB.
If you would like to share your opinion on this issue, you can contact
the Kirtland AFB Commander, Colonel Henry Andrews, directly at:
KAFB Commander
Col. Henry L. Andrews, Jr.
377th Air Base Wing Commander
2000 Wyoming Blvd. SE STE D-2
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5606
-----
A full PDF version of the press release, including a photo of the sign, can
be found here: http://www.saveotero.org/SignPR.pdf. Feel free to
distribute.
Concerns, comments, or questions can be directed to the Base Commander as
shown above or to any of the following Congressional Representatives:
Congresswoman Heather Wilson
ATTN: Carri Phillis
20 First Plaza
Suite 603
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102
Sen. Jeff Bingaman
Suite 130
625 Silver Ave. SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Congressman Tom Udall
ATTN: Sarah Cobb
Rio Rancho City Hall
3900 Southern Blvd. SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
As always, thank you for your continued support for this ongoing issue.
Sincerely,
Friends of Otero
phusion@binaryinc.net