Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
SANTA FE — Four local legislators are among 21 Republican state representatives who are seeking a multi-agency appeal of a U.S. District Court ruling on timber management.
A letter from the lawmakers asks the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to appeal a ruling by Raner C. Collins ordering the forest service to cease timber management activities on all national forests in the state, along with Arizona’s Tonto National Forest.
“While common-sense measures to protect endangered species is an important goal,” the representatives wrote, “the sweeping broadness of the judge’s decision places unnecessary restrictions on activities that have a minimal to no impact on Mexican Spotted Owl habitat. The blanket nature of the order lacks proper perspective and punishes an important domestic industry. Put simply, this injunction could put hundreds of New Mexicans out of work and leave thousands without the fuel they need to heat their homes during the upcoming months.”
Local legislators signing on to the letter are District 63 Rep. Martin Zamora, District 64 Rep. Randy Crowder, District 66 Rep. Phelps Anderson and District 67 Rep. Jack Chatfield.
