New Mexico needs to grow, and we need the cooperation of federal agencies. In the case of public land sell offs around Las Cruces, Senator Domenici and the BLM have moved too quickly. Without adequate consultation, they are proposing to sell lands around Las Cruces that could forever change the community. Look at what is happening in Albuquerque, where rapid growth in some areas is causing school overcrowding while other schools are struggling to maintain minimum student enrollments. For schools, public safety, and other services, it is critical to plan future growth. Senator Domenici's proposal doesn't do that. His proposal could end up being a huge expense to local taxpayers as well as to the state. Remember how the Legislature is being asked to put hundreds of millions of dollars into schools in rapid-growth areas -- Senator Domenici's proposal could add fuel to the fire.
On proposals like these, there should be real consultation not only with local elected officials and school boards but also with local people who are concerned about how federal lands are managed. The public lands around Las Cruces are a precious legacy that could provide extraordinary opportunities for the future. They should be carefully managed for the community's benefit and long-term public values -- not to produce revenue that a federal agency wants to implement its own programs.
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