Editor's Note: This is part 2 of the Southwest County Commission Alliance meeting report from Wednesday, Nov. 28.

Editor's Note: This is part 2 of the Southwest County Commission Alliance meeting report from Wednesday, Nov. 28.

After extensive public input, the alliance members addressed old business.

The members, which included commissioners from Hidalgo, Grant and Catron counties, approved a resolution to support placing the solid waste bill on county property tax bills, because county governments have problems collecting the solid waste fees. Chairman Gabriel Ramos said the issue would make counties similar to municipalities which can place other fees on tax bills.

The first item under new business was a presentation regarding the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument proposal. Gill Sorg, Las Cruces councilor, said he grew up in New Mexico, and worked on a ranch with his brother in Montana. "We experienced 12 years of drought. I understand how grazing works. I have also used four-wheel drive vehicles and ATVs. I want to visit why the national monument is a great opportunity for the city and county."

He said the bill introduced by Congressman Steve Pearce covers part of the Organ Mountains and includes ranching and hunting. The bill Sorg and his fellow councilors, as well as those from Mesilla and El Paso, Texas, support includes much more property, but deals with the same issues.

"The area has cultural, historic and natural values that we want to protect," Sorg said. "A national monument will bring added tourism dollars and create economic development with jobs. This will be a (Bureau of Land Management)-managed monument. There will continue to be grazing and ranching as it exists now."

Referring to a fact sheet he passed out, he said hunting is allowed in national monuments, but eminent domain is not. All national monuments have motorized access; state and private lands are not impacted, although private lands can be sold by a willing seller to the federal government and state lands can be traded for property elsewhere.

To allegations of a lack of public input, Sorg replied: "There has been huge public input."

He cited the attributes of the proposed national monument—scenery, hiking, grasslands, Robledo Mountains, Portrillo Mountains, lava flows, Kilbourne Hole volcanic crater used by Apollo astronauts for training, and the Organ Mountains.

Sorg said border security had been brought up many times. "You can see on the map the wilderness study areas, which have the same status as wilderness areas. Below the line next to the border, a five-mile buffer zone next to BLM land will allows full use by the Border Patrol. The management plan, which will have public input, can detail what can be done in the area. A national monument will make the area more attractive for economic development and will protect the historic resources."

Ramos asked why the Doña Ana Sheriff and the Border Patrol were opposing the national monument. Sorg said that they were "former Border Patrol, who are opposing it. I don't know their hidden agenda. I can't speak for the sheriff."

Alliance Secretary Darr Shannon talked about the Friends of the Sonoran Desert, who provide massive clean ups in the Table Top Wilderness Area. In May, they took out 160 abandoned vehicles, numerous bikes, 24 tons of trash and many illegals. "It makes me wonder if the border is really secure."

Sorg said, in his opinion, he doesn't feel that Arizona is similar to New Mexico. "The undocumented like to come across in Arizona. Those areas are right up against the border. Our plan has a five-mile buffer."

Shannon said she truly could not imagine that anyone would be opposed to protecting the Organ Mountains, but she wonders what will happen to state land with ranching.

Sorg said traditionally the state trades land to the BLM and gets land elsewhere.

"We are fearful of loss of private property rights," Shannon said. "Las Cruces is already booming. How will it increase with a national monument?"

Sorg said studies show an increase in visitors can be expected.

Shannon said if trails are already there, why should numbers increase.

Sorg said the designation would allow improvement and development of the trails and facilities.

Shannon asked if there were any other alternative to a national monument, such as withdrawing it from disposal.

"The only permanent way to withdraw from disposal is by wilderness or national monument designation," Sorg said. "Pearce is also proposing a national monument, with the only difference being in size. We are in opposition because it's too small and does not prevent development right up to the mountain. Senators Udall and Bingaman also do not agree with Pearce's proposal.

"If you cannot approve the designation, we ask you not to send a letter to Obama," Sorg requested.

Shannon said the Hidalgo County Commission had already opposed the Desert Peaks portion of the national monument and had sent a letter opposing the designation to President Obama, while supporting Pearce's proposal. She read the letter, which asked that the designation be considered by the full Congressional process.

Mary Burton Riseley, Gila resident, pointed out that the past election had just put in new commissioners and asked that the letter be tabled until after the New Year.

The alliance members approved sending the letter.

In the next article the presentation by Allyson Siwik on the Arizona Water Settlements Act will be reported.