FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Lela McFerrin, (505) 470-3235, lelamcferrin3@gmail.com
Ralph Vigil, (505) 603-2879, ralph@nmwild.org
Sally Paez, (505) 350-0664, sally@nmwild.org
Local Community Celebrates Reintroduction of Pecos Watershed Protection Act Amid Federal Rollback of Protections
Pecos, N.M. (April 8, 2025) — Pecos community leaders and the Protect the Pecos coalition applaud the reintroduction of the Pecos Watershed Protection Act to permanently withdraw federally managed minerals in the Upper Pecos Watershed from future mining claims. This comes just days after the Trump administration rescinded temporary administrative protections for the area, which the Department of Interior initiated in December 2024 to help secure the region’s water and air quality, cultural resources, critical fish and wildlife habitat, and recreational values.
On April 4, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins canceled the proposal, which had paused new mining claims and the issuance of new federal mineral leases across 165,000 acres of the Upper Pecos Watershed. The abrupt reversal of the proposed protections was tacked onto an emergency order intended to increase logging on 59% of the national forest lands in the country, or nearly 113 million acres. The new administration stated that the cancellation of the proposed mineral withdrawal will “help boost production of critical minerals” and cited the need “to remove burdensome Biden-era regulations” to expand energy and mineral development on public lands.
This reversal disregards the overwhelming local support for protecting the watershed. Earlier this year, a strong backing of Tribal leaders, local officials, farmers, acequia parciantes, land grant communities, small businesses, and conservation groups supplied over 860 individual public comments in favor of the mineral withdrawal. There has been no known opposition to the proposed withdrawal within New Mexico. Additionally, New Mexico State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard recently banned mining on 2,552 acres of State Trust Lands in the watershed for 20 years, citing the agricultural and cultural values of the landscape.
The reintroduced Pecos Watershed Protection Act would permanently protect the watershed and designate approximately 11,599 acres as the Thompson Peak Wilderness Area. Sens. Heinrich and Luján are leading the Senate effort, with Reps. Leger Fernández and Stansbury championing the House bill.
Local communities remember the devastating impacts of previous mining activities, including a toxic spill in the 1990s that polluted the river, decimated fish populations, and harmed the outdoor recreation economy for decades. This watershed provides crucial habitat for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, New Mexico’s state fish, and supplies clean water to downstream communities and acequia systems that have sustained local agriculture for centuries. The Upper Pecos Watershed, which has now recovered from contamination from past mining, faces renewed threats from Comexico LLC, a foreign company with hundreds of mining claims spanning 4,300 acres of Santa Fe National Forest land.
Community leaders and coalition members made the following statements in response to the recent events.
“As a farmer and acequia parciante, I know firsthand how vital clean water from the Pecos River is to our way of life,” said Ralph Vigil, Local Acequia Farmer and Advocate. “Canceling these protections is not just disappointing, it’s a threat to the lifeblood of our communities. I’m grateful to our congressional champions for reintroducing the Pecos Watershed Protection Act. We will not stand by while our acequias, culture, and future are at risk. We’ve protected this land for generations, and we’re not stopping now.”
“Once again, the ‘powers-that-be’ are not considering the wishes and concerns of a local community affected by what could happen to our clean water, wildlife habitats, and economy,” said Lela McFerrin, Vice President of the Upper Pecos Watershed Association. “We thank our congressional delegation for standing with us in the face of these renewed threats.”
“The decision to cancel the proposed mineral withdrawal in the Upper Pecos Watershed is deeply disappointing,” said Telesfor Benavidez, Mayor of Pecos. “It ignores the voices of our community members, who have spoken loud and clear in support of protecting our land, water, and way of life. I want to sincerely thank Senators Heinrich and Luján, as well as Representatives Leger Fernández and Stansbury, for standing with us by reintroducing the Pecos Watershed Protection Act. We may have taken a step back, but we’re not backing down. Our fight to protect the Pecos is far from over—we will continue to defend this watershed for future generations.”
“There are places in this country that are appropriate for mining; I acknowledge the need for minerals and its place in our future. That said, there was so much put into the effort to withdraw this land from mineral extraction, and the communities around the Pecos watershed all share the great concern that our land and water could be damaged again by a mining project. The travesty here is that none of the people who are making the decisions about the future of our land and water have experienced the upper Pecos watershed. They have no idea that the area is a destination, and the community depends on economic infusion of dollars from visitors to our area. World class fishing, the gateway to the Pecos Wilderness, camping, hunting and all outdoor activities, not to mention the fresh water source that sustains local farmers and livestock 一 all of these values are all at stake here. We are not a spot on the map; the Indo-Hispano culture has been caring for this land and water well before the United States was even a country. Regarding the decision makers, is it too much to ask that you imagine how you’d feel if this was happening in your backyard? – Max Trujillo, San Miguel County Commissioner
“The USDA’s decision is a disappointment and a disservice to the people of San Miguel County. Our communities have spoken clearly, we want lasting protection for the Upper Pecos Watershed. I thank our congressional delegation for reintroducing the Pecos Watershed Protection Act. We’ve come too far to turn back now, and we will keep fighting to protect this place we call home.” – Bernadette Baca, San Miguel County Commissioner
“The Upper Pecos Watershed is a critical source of clean water, cultural heritage, and outdoor recreation for Santa Fe County and beyond. The decision to revoke protections is a serious misstep, but I’m encouraged by the swift action of our congressional delegation in reintroducing the Pecos Watershed Protection Act. This fight is far from over, we will keep pushing to ensure this land remains protected for generations to come.” – Adam Johnson, Santa Fe County Commissioner
“The San Miguel del Bado Land Grant has defended these lands and waters for generations. The decision to roll back protections is deeply disappointing and ignores the voices of our traditional communities,” said San Miguel del Bado Land Grant President, Claresse Romero. “We thank our congressional delegation for standing with us through the reintroduction of the Pecos Watershed Protection Act. Our connection to this land is sacred, and we will continue to fight to protect it for our heirs and future generations.”
“The Upper Pecos Watershed is not only a vital natural resource; it’s part of who we are as New Mexicans. The cancellation of protections is a setback, but it will not silence our communities.” said Representative Anita Gonzales, New Mexico House District 70. “I’m grateful to our federal delegation for reintroducing the Pecos Watershed Protection Act. Together, we will continue to fight for clean water, cultural preservation, and the long-term health of our land and people.”
“Our congressional delegation understands the needs of New Mexico, they know how essential clean water is to our communities, our health, and our heritage. I deeply appreciate their continued efforts to protect the Pecos Watershed. Unfortunately, the President’s decision to revoke these protections shows a disconnect from the realities we face. Contaminated water devastates communities, and we’ve lived that history. We can’t afford to repeat it.” – Senator Liz Stefanics, New Mexico State Senate District 39
“Some landscapes are just too special to permanently scar with development, and the Upper Pecos Watershed is one of those places. The region has provided sustenance and cultural enrichment for some of New Mexico’s Indigenous and Hispanic communities for centuries. While it’s not surprising that the Trump administration is ignoring the wishes and concerns of local communities and plowing ahead with aggressive development, it is deeply disappointing. I commend Senators Heinrich and Lujan and Congresswomen Leger Fernandez and Stansbury for once again leading on the protection of public lands at the national level. Conserving the Upper Pecos Watershed and maintaining our traditional ways of life is simply the right thing to do. As Commissioner of Public Lands, I’ve protected our state lands in this area and I will continue lending whatever support I can to protect this special place at the federal level.” – Stephanie Garcia Richard, New Mexico’s Commissioner of Public Lands
“Local communities, Tribal leaders, advocates and elected officials have fought hard to protect this revered landscape from the devastating effects that reckless mining has already caused. This cancellation now opens the floodgates for history to repeat itself,” said Michael Casaus, New Mexico state director at The Wilderness Society. “We applaud the New Mexico congressional delegation for reintroducing the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, which offers a permanent solution to a problem that has long stained the landscape and lives of local communities. This legislation gives us a fighting chance to ensure the Upper Pecos Watershed can sustain our communities, economy and way of life for generations to come.”
“The Upper Pecos River Watershed holds immeasurable cultural, historical, habitat, and recreational significance, far surpassing any potential mineral extraction. The recent federal reversal of protections, without public transparency or a reasoned analysis, is deeply concerning and highlights the urgent need for permanent legislative safeguards,” said Sally Paez, staff attorney for New Mexico Wild. “We are immensely grateful to our congressional delegation for their courageous leadership, which is now more crucial than ever.”