The congressman led conservationists, veterans, wildlife experts and residents on a hike near the Trout Fire burn area

Organ Mountain News report

SILVER CITY - U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez led conservationists, veterans, wildlife experts and community members on a July 10 hike in the Gila National Forest, where participants discussed Forest Service staffing cuts and their effects on wildfire prevention, trail maintenance and public lands management.

The hike took place near the Trout Fire burn area. Vasquez said participants raised concerns about reduced staffing during peak fire season, including the loss of trail-clearing crews that can help establish access for fire lines in wilderness areas.

“We’re at peak fire season, and folks on the ground shared great concerns today about the next big fire to hit Grant and Catron counties,” Vasquez said.

Vasquez also criticized a proposed U.S. Department of Agriculture reorganization and staff relocation effort, arguing that the changes could hinder the agency’s ability to respond quickly in rural communities.

“Fully staffing our Forest Service is one of my top priorities — for all public land users and for the safety and security of forest communities across my district,” he said.

Vasquez backs bipartisan bill to fund public lands maintenance

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez is backing the bipartisan America the Beautiful Act, which would invest $1.9 billion over five years in public lands maintenance.

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Vasquez is supporting the Public Lands Workforce Stability Act, which would prohibit reductions in force at the U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior through 2030. His office said the legislation is intended to protect staffing tied to wildfire response, public safety, recreation and local tourism economies.

The congressman has also raised concerns about declining trail conditions and opposed a National Park Service decision to redirect about $90 million in entrance fee revenue away from projects such as trail maintenance.

Vasquez has introduced the M.H. Dutch Salmon Greater Gila Wild and Scenic River Act, which would add about 446 miles of the Gila River, San Francisco River and their tributaries to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

He also founded the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus and introduced the Public Lands Integrity Act, which would require congressional approval before federal public lands could be sold or transferred.

Representatives from New Mexico Wild, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation and other conservation groups joined the hike, along with veterans and residents of the Gila region.

Al Gamboa, a Silver City resident and Marine Corps veteran, said Forest Service staffing and funding cuts have failed to account for the importance of public lands to the region’s economy.

“The proper staffing and management of such an important national resource needs to be given serious attention by the current administration,” Gamboa said.

Carlos Martinez del Rio, a Silver City resident, wildlife biologist and New Mexico Wildlife Federation board member, said Forest Service restructuring, research cuts and regulatory changes could weaken conservation work.

Patrice Mutchnick, director of Heart of the Gila, said the Forest Service has maintained a presence in Silver City since 1905 and has long provided local residents with careers in biology, geology, botany and other natural resource fields.

“The science and resource management class of the agency has been decimated and staffing locally is at bare-bones minimum,” Mutchnick said. “With the continued cuts and confusing changes at the USDA and the U.S. Forest Service, the economic symbiosis between the community and the forest, forged over a century, is unraveling at record speed.”