Rep. Gabe Vasquez Leads Fight to Protect New Mexico’s Public Lands from Administration’s Rollback of Roadless Area Protections

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On September 19, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) led a call to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, urging New Mexico’s exclusion from the administration’s effort to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule.

“The administration’s effort to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule will directly harm New Mexico’s public lands and the people who depend on them,” said Vasquez.“Undoing these safeguards will increase wildfire risks, hinder New Mexicans’ access to outdoor recreation, and harm an industry that fuels thousands of jobs. I’ll never stop working to ensure New Mexico’s lands remain protected and that the administration listens to voices from our state about what is best for New Mexico.”

In New Mexico, there are more than 1.6 million acres of roadless areas, which contribute to the state's important outdoor recreation industry. The outdoor recreation industry brings in $3.2 billion annually and supports nearly 30,000 jobs. Many visitors come to the state specifically for the chance to enjoy wide-open, backcountry activities. 

This public call to Secretary Rollins builds on Rep. Vasquez’s strong track record of protecting New Mexico’s public lands. Vasquez is a proud leader of the Roadless Area Conservation Act, which would codify the Roadless Rule. Rep. Vasquez, joined by 55 of his House colleagues, also sent a letter to Secretary Rollins expressing concern that the current public comment period for their proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule does not allow for meaningful public participation and urging her to extend the public comment period by 30 days. 

In addition, earlier this year, Rep. Vasquez co-founded the Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, which played a critical role in preventing the proposed selloff of 3.3 million acres of public lands in the Republican tax law, and he spearheaded the bipartisan Public Lands in Public Hands Act, which would protect hunting and fishing access by requiring congressional approval for the sale or transfer of public land.

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