N.M. Delegation Urges Forest Service to Complete Mineral Withdrawal Process at Upper Pecos Watershed, Protect Watershed From Future Mining Threats

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) called on the U.S. Forest Service to complete the initial steps of the mineral withdrawal process in the Upper Pecos Watershed. Completing the initial steps of the mineral withdrawal process for the watershed would safeguard the lands, waters, and way of life in the Pecos from the dangers of future mining and ensure future generations can continue to benefit from this critical watershed.

"To safeguard the lands, waters, and way of life in the Pecos, we strongly urge the Forest Service to complete, without delay, the initial steps of the mineral withdrawal process for the watershed," wrote the lawmakers.

"Any contamination of the watershed from mining would directly harm water quality, threatening local economies, fish and wildlife, and the health of the people living along the Pecos. These rural communities have made it clear: they do not want mining operations that could endanger the environment, their way of life, and the long-term sustainability of the region," continued the lawmakers.

The Pecos River is not only an essential source of water for communities throughout New Mexico but also supplies water to traditional acequias and helps support agriculture that sustains families and livelihoods in New Mexico. In 2023, Luján, Heinrich, and Leger Fernández introduced the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, legislation to protect portions of the Pecos Watershed in northern New Mexico from all mineral development. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus endorsed this legislation in October 2024.

The lawmakers' full letter is here and below:

Dear Chief Moore,

We are writing to follow up on your previous letter from April 11, 2023, in which the U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service) agreed to begin "evaluating the potential risk of mineral development in the Upper Pecos Watershed and whether…current laws and regulations are adequate for its protection." The Pecos River irrigates farmland that families rely on for their economic survival in the immediate vicinity of the forest and for hundreds of miles in New Mexico. The communities along the Pecos River cannot afford the risk of another toxic spill. To protect this critical watershed, we request that the Forest Service provide an update on its evaluation and complete the initial steps of the administrative withdrawal process, without delay.

The Pecos River is not only an essential source of water for communities throughout New Mexico but is also deeply tied to our state's cultural heritage. Traditional acequias-community-operated irrigation canals-rely on the river for water, supporting agriculture that sustains families and livelihoods. Pueblos use the land for fishing and hunting as well as ceremonial purposes. Any contamination of the watershed from mining would directly harm water quality, threatening local economies, fish and wildlife, and the health of the people living along the Pecos. These rural communities have made it clear: they do not want mining operations that could endanger the environment, their way of life, and the long-term sustainability of the region.

These risks of mining are not hypothetical. In 1991, toxic waste from a closed mine spilled into the Pecos River, killing fish along an 11-mile stretch. The cleanup took decades and cost millions of taxpayer dollars. The spill left scars on the landscape and on the memories of those who depend on the river. It is imperative that we learn from this tragic history and prevent further damage by protecting the Pecos watershed from new mining threats.

Earlier this Congress, members of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation introduced S.3033/H.R.5943, the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, to safeguard this vital resource for future generations. The legislation would permanently withdraw future mining in sections of federal land in the Upper Pecos Watershed. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted to advance this legislation on December 14, 2023, and we are grateful that the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management both provided written statements in support for the bill. More recently, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus endorsed this legislation in October 2024.

While the Pecos Watershed Protection Act continues to progress through Congress, the Forest Service can act now to administratively withdraw the land from mineral development. To safeguard the lands, waters, and way of life in the Pecos, we strongly urge the Forest Service to complete, without delay, the initial steps of the mineral withdrawal process for the watershed in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management. In addition, we request a briefing for our staff by no later than December 12, 2024 if the Forest Service believes that the mineral segregation process may not be complete by the end of the year.

Communities along the Pecos River are asking for your leadership to protect their water, culture, and health from the dangers of mining, and to ensure future generations can continue to benefit from this critical watershed.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

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