By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — A proposed transfer of nearly 10,000 acres in the Sandia Mountains has raised questions about public access and land management. A local advocacy group says Rep. Melanie Stansbury told them she opposes the transfer, despite her support for land-back efforts. But in an interview with The Paper. on Thursday, Stansbury said discussions about possible solutions are still ongoing.
Sandias for All, a group of neighbors and recreation users opposing the proposed transfer, said on its website that Stansbury “clearly stated that she does NOT support transferring 10,000 acres of the Sandia Mountains out of the National Forest.” The group said the statement came during an Oct. 23 meeting with Stansbury, representatives from Sen. Martin Heinrich’s office and officials from the Bernalillo and Sandoval county sheriff’s departments.
Several people who attended the meeting confirmed to The Paper. that Stansbury explained she would normally support a land-back effort, but viewed this proposal differently because of the 2003 T’uf Shur Bien Preservation Trust Area Act. The law established a preservation area within the Cibola National Forest and Sandia Mountain Wilderness, recognizing Sandia Pueblo’s rights while protecting the area’s national forest and wilderness character and the public’s use and enjoyment.
In an interview with The Paper. on Thursday, Stansbury said she is continuing to engage with stakeholders and believes Heinrich is best positioned to help define a solution because of his role on the Senate subcommittee overseeing federal land issues. When asked specifically whether she opposed the proposed transfer, Stansbury declined to confirm that she had made those statements. Instead suggesting that the group may have misunderstood her position and reiterated that said she was following Heinrich’s lead on a path forward.
A spokesperson for Stansbury’s office told The Paper. the congresswoman was “delighted to have a meeting with the neighborhood association and advocates” alongside representatives from both county sheriff’s departments. The spokesperson said, “We are working as a delegation to find solutions to the many law enforcement and co-management issues being raised.”
In previous interviews with The Paper. and New Mexico Political Report, Heinrich said he opposes the land transfer as proposed by Sandia Pueblo but is pursuing a shared-management approach with the Pueblo. Opponents have raised concerns about public access, land management and law enforcement. Bernalillo County Commissioner Walt Benson has also argued against the transfer in an opinion column.