Federal government agency, the Bureau of Land Management, acquires private property neighboring Organ Mountain-Desert Peaks National Monument
A controversial federal budget proposal to sell up to 3 million acres of public lands in 11 states, including New Mexico, was dropped following opposition from Democrats and Republicans in June. The decision came as a relief to conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts across the nation.
However, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has taken a proactive step towards securing a trailhead. The BLM recently purchased 111 acres of land for $780,000 to ensure the entry area of the Achenbach Canyon Trail, which leads into the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.
The Wilderness Land Trust, a non-profit organisation, had purchased the land from a private owner for an undisclosed sum in 2021, with plans to sell it to the BLM when ready. The Trust acted as a private-sector intermediary, holding the land for nearly four and a half years as the federal process unfolded.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), created by Congress in 1964 and funded by royalties from oil and gas offshore production, was used to fund the purchase.
The trail's entry area lacked established parking areas, maintenance of its trailhead, trash receptacles, and other amenities. Amy Lindholm, national coordinator of the LWCF Coalition, expressed optimism that they will be able to work with the administration and Congress to address these issues.
In a news release, Governor Doug Burgum stated that outdoor recreation is part of our national heritage, and these historic investments will help communities across the country expand access to green spaces, restore natural areas, and create more opportunities for people to get outside. Burgum announced Thursday that the LWCF would deliver a record distribution of $437 million across the U.S.
However, the BLM's land acquisition abilities have been curtailed by the White House Office of Management and Budget. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued a new departmental order rolling out new restrictions on using LWCF funds for expanding recreational or conservation areas on lands under BLM management. Burgum's order for the LWCF requires written support from states' governors and the local county for acquisitions like the one for Achenbach Canyon.
Critics have characterized this requirement as a local veto. Lindholm mentioned that President Trump has been a friend of conservation and requested a bill that permanently funds the LWCF and stewards national parks. However, in the second Trump administration, Lindholm noted that some influential figures and Republican members of Congress are not on board with protecting and preserving public lands.
If new proposals to sell off public lands surface, it is conceivable some of the territory around national monuments, like the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument (OMDP), could be open for sale to private developers. Conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for the preservation of public lands.
