Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

U.S. SENATOR Jeff Bingaman

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Contact Senator Bingaman's Office:

Jude McCartin
Maria Najera
703 Hart Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5521

Bingaman Bill Aims to Protect and Conserve Taos County Property

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today introduced legislation to help protect and conserve the Miranda Canyon Property in Taos County.  Senator Tom Udall is a cosponsor of the bill.

Bingaman's bill would expand the boundaries of the Carson National Forest to include the 5,000-acre Miranda Canyon Property located just ten miles south of Taos.  The expansion would make it possible for the Forest Service to use federal funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund to purchase the land to protect the scenic landscapes and historical features and would open the area to the public for recreational use.

"Taos County is home to many extraordinary landscapes that if not protected are at risk of being developed and closed to the public.  The Miranda Canyon property is one of these places.  This bill provides the Forest Service with the ability to purchase and protect it so it can be enjoyed for generations to come," Bingaman said.

"This bill brings Miranda Canyon one step closer to enjoying protection from development," said Udall. "Our legislation is reflective of the strong support from Rancho de Taos and Taos County residents who recognize the importance of careful area management to maintain the healthy watershed and forest."

The Taos County Commission unanimously passed a resolution in support of the acquisition of the property as means to ensure long term protection of the area's watershed.

The property contains low elevation sagebrush and piñon juniper to high elevation mixed conifer forest containing large aspen stands.  The landscape has numerous ridges and peaks that provide breathtaking views of the Rio Grande Gorge to the west and of Wheeler Peak, the highest peak in New Mexico, to the north.  Picuris Peak is located on the property along a popular hiking route.  Other geological features on the property include a unique small volcano and 1.7 billion year old rock outcrops that rival the age of rock found at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

The property also contains historical features such as the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, a route that dates back to the 1600s when the Spanish established the first capital city near San Juan Pueblo and from there traveled north to Taos and beyond.