A huge thank you to New Mexico Environment Secretary Ron Curry for recognizing the emergency situation created by off-road vehicles in the Santa Fe National Forest. I visited the Jemez Mountains two years ago and was stunned by the damage. Last month, I visited the same areas and the devastation was heartbreaking.

The Jemez is not alone in suffering — off-road destruction pervades the east side of the Santa Fe and all New Mexico forests. The management of the Santa Fe National Forest is doing a disservice to the people of New Mexico. Our forests, water quality, wildlife habitat and economy are being destroyed while the Forest Service sits on its hands and makes excuses. The Travel Management Plan they tout does not address water quality or quantity. Their "plan" is a map with far too many routes in the wrong places.


It's apparent by its constant inaction and obfuscation that the Santa Fe National Forest management team is either incapable or unwilling to tackle the all-important task of enforcing the existing laws regarding the use of off-highway vehicles. The state has no choice but to seek the help of the federal government.

Meanwhile, as behemoth bureaucracies stumble toward taking action that will be too little, too late, New Mexico's citizens will forever lose the precious resources and recreational activities the forest represents. I fully recognize the right of OHV owners to utilize their vehicles, but not when this extremely small minority of forest users continues to be responsible for the vast majority of the irreparable environmental damage that results. Thoughtless OHV use, particularly cross-country, off-trail riding, results in the permanent loss of water resources and wildlife habitat, while increasing fire danger tenfold.


P-dogs need patron

I've been lucky to attend a Milagro Awards ceremony honoring individuals who help animals. Gov. Bill Richardson received one for helping wildlife; I wondered what he'd done to earn it.

Today, I ask the same question, while Fairview Cemetery Association President Eric Mason and City Councilor Ron Trujillo choose to murder prairie dogs — one quickly, the other slowly. Mason said prairie dogs have been a problem at the cemetery for a century. Yet people bury loved ones there. Now that this organization has little money and a huge water bill, Mason chose to murder innocent animals as a scapegoat.

The prairie dogs did not run up a $50,000 water bill. They haven't asked people to take away their homes. The Railyard, roads and park were built making the same, selfish decision to take over the animals' homes. Now, Trujillo believes he is the almighty power? Where is Richardson? Aren't these the wildlife his award said he's protected?

Pull the switch

Why is there such a fight to get the Senate to pass comprehensive energy and climate legislation? Each day that it is not addressed, we are putting our economy, our security and the environment at risk. We are observing the largest and most destructive environmental disaster in our nation's history. We are also witnessing many failed attempts to stop it, as the oil continues to gush into our waters, along with the further pollution of toxic chemicals used by BP to "clean it up."

It should now be completely obvious to everyone that we need to transition to a clean energy future. We can create millions of new jobs, end our dangerous addiction to oil and protect our planet for future generations. This is a no-brainer. The time is now, and I encourage everyone to write or call their senators. It's not simply a good idea; it's imperative.


Empty gesture

Replacing Gen. Stanley McChrystal with Gen. David Petraeus in Afghanistan might be considered the same as changing captains on the Titanic after the iceberg has been struck.