Bill Overview
Title: Cerro de la Olla Wilderness Establishment Act
Description: This bill designates specified federal land administered by the Bureau of Land Management in Taos County, New Mexico, comprising 13,098 acres in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, to be known as the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness. The Department of the Interior shall enter into a cooperative agreement with New Mexico that specifies, subject to certain prohibition provisions under the Wilderness Act, the terms and conditions under which wildlife management activities in the wilderness may be carried out. Subject to such agreement and such prohibition provisions, Interior may authorize the maintenance of any existing structure or facility for wildlife water development projects (including guzzlers) in the wilderness, if the structure or facility would enhance wilderness values by promoting healthy, viable, and more naturally distributed wildlife populations; and the visual impacts of the structure or facility on the wilderness can reasonably be minimized. The bill modifies the boundary of the monument.
Sponsors: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness Establishment Act
Estimated Size: 25000
- The establishment of a wilderness area impacts conservationists who advocate for environmental protection.
- Local communities, especially in Taos County, might be affected due to changes in land use or restrictions.
- Wildlife and environmental researchers who conduct studies in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument will be affected.
- Tourists and outdoor enthusiasts interested in recreational activities like hiking and bird watching in the new wilderness area might be impacted.
- The Indigenous groups in New Mexico, particularly if they use the land for traditional practices, could be impacted.
Reasoning
- Given the budget limitations, the policy aims to have a modest impact, focusing on environmental conservation with limited immediate direct economic or lifestyle changes for individuals.
- The population affected is primarily those interested in or dependent on the territory—conservationists, local communities, and tourists.
- Significant effects are expected on the conservation community and indigenous tribes, as they rely on land use regulations for both progressive management and traditional practices, respectively.
- The relatively small area affected and the gradual nature of land management policies mean many US citizens will not experience direct impact.
- Due to cost limitations, substantial infrastructural changes or developments will not be implemented immediately, focusing first on policy adjustment and management agreements.
Simulated Interviews
Wildlife Biologist (Taos County, NM)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The wilderness designation will allow us more opportunities for in-depth and secure research on native wildlife populations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Conservationist (Santa Fe, NM)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a positive step towards protecting valuable ecosystems. Ensuring future generations can enjoy natural habitats is critical.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Tourist Guide (Albuquerque, NM)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could attract more eco-tourists, but we need clear guidelines on access and restrictions to modify tours appropriately.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Taos County, NM)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As long as fishing is not severely restricted, the policy seems beneficial overall.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Outdoor Enthusiast (Denver, CO)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Designating more areas as wilderness is great, but I hope recreational activities won't be too limited.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Community Leader (Taos County, NM)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I support conservation, it's essential to engage the community to ensure it doesn't disrupt local livelihoods.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Environmentalist Writer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a victory for environmental preservation, and it can set a precedent for future land protection efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Indigenous Rights Activist (Albuquerque, NM)
Age: 41 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The wilderness act should consider indigenous rights and traditional land use respectfully.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Research Scientist (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The designation aids in conserving delicate ecosystems, crucial for long-term climate studies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Hiker and Outdoor Blogger (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More wilderness means more areas to explore and inspire content, although access regulations will play a significant role.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000 (Low: $800000, High: $1200000)
Year 2: $1000000 (Low: $800000, High: $1200000)
Year 3: $1000000 (Low: $800000, High: $1200000)
Year 5: $1000000 (Low: $800000, High: $1200000)
Year 10: $1000000 (Low: $800000, High: $1200000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $800000, High: $1200000)
Key Considerations
- The designation of land as wilderness limits the type of activities and commercial endeavors that can occur on the land, enhancing protection for the ecosystem.
- The cooperation agreement with New Mexico will determine how wildlife management and existing structure maintenance are handled, impacting costs.
- Public and interest group opinions on wilderness areas might affect the implementation and reception of the policy.
- Potential legal challenges or adjustments in land management policy to accommodate cultural and traditional uses by local Indigenous tribes.
- Balancing wilderness preservation with tourism and recreational activities that bring economic benefits.