San Juan Badlands

By Michael Ritchie

“The Art of the Possible” is a recent expression of that well-known axiom “think globally, act locally.” On the national level, political posturing and gridlock have halted any real solutions to America’s diverse problems. Understandably, many of us have transcended despair and graduated to numbness.

By Norma McCallan, Chapter Vice Chair

We are still awaiting publication of the new Resource Management Plan (RMP) from the Bureau of Land Management’s Rio Puerco office, which we expect will provide some protections for unique Badlands landscapes. It was first delayed last winter to incorporate Secretary Salazar’s Dec. 23, 2010, Order 3310. The order initiated a new wildlands policy for the BLM, whose ability to designate wilderness areas had been severely curtailed by an under-the-table deal during the Bush administration.

Our intrepid Badlands explorer, Mike Richie, made a major effort in October and November to introduce these spectacular badlands to more individuals through a series of independent Saturday and Sunday hikes every weekend, drawing many newcomers as well as those already hooked by these other-worldly landscapes.

Check out this montage of photos from the San Juan Basin Badlands, located in northwestern New Mexico near Cuba. Also, we hope that you join us for the many tours of the area in October and November. Tour details are available at http://nmsierraclub.org/san-juan-badlands-basin-tours.

This spring President Obama created the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative. This weekend leaders from the Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency met with New Mexicans in Albuquerque to learn about our views of this program. This is my viewpoint on this issue.

• We should all increase our use of the world-class outdoors opportunities that exist here in New Mexico.
• The Federal government should provide new, expanded, and better protected public lands.
• Increase opportunities for youth in the Great Outdoors.
• Support local economies by investing in public lands.
• Manage all public lands to comprehend climate change.

A coalition of environmental organizations is forming to protect the San Juan Basin Badlands. An initial meeting was held on June 15 that was attended by representatives of the Sierra Club, Wilderness Society, New Mexico Wilderness Association, Native Plant Society, BLM, Congressional staffers, and Michael Richie.

Feb 2010 - Progress has been steady regarding the Rio Grande Chapter's efforts to protect the San Juan Basin Badlands. The most important new development is the Farmington BLM Field Office's enthusiastic endorsement of our San Juan Basin Badlands Initiative goals.

Nov 13, 2009 - The Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club met with BLM officials to propose creation of the San Juan Basin National Monument today.

May 2009 -The Sierra Club believes that the San Juan Badlands are strong candidates for inclusion in the National Landscape Conservation System, and that all nine as a group could well form the BLM-administered “San Juan Basin Badlands National Monument."