Leger Fernández Introduces Cerro de la Olla Wilderness Establishment Act

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) reintroduced the bill to establish the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness within the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. Companion legislation was also reintroduced in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). 

The bill introduction comes a week after the Congresswoman visited Cerro de la Olla to meet with ranchers,  community leaders, advocates and Taos Pueblo leaders to speak about the need to establish stronger protections for the cerro. 

“New Mexicans share a deep respect for our public lands and a mutual understanding that we must preserve and protect it for future generations,” said Leger Fernández. “I climbed to the top of Cerro de la Olla and experienced the spectacular beauty of the place myself.  This land holds a deep cultural significance for Taos Pueblo. We must also protect it for the ranchers, for the local traditions, and for the wildlife that depend on the cerro and its bounty. I look forward to getting this bill through Congress and providing the land the protection it deserves.” 

The bill is supported by local leaders, ranchers, Taos Pueblo and conservation groups.

“The lands in Taos County play an important role in our culture and way of life. For centuries, our people have depended on them, and the wildlife that call them home, for nourishment and our livelihoods. This legislation will forever protect the wildlife habitat on Cerro de la Olla for big game, while protecting our community’s ability to hunt and collect pinon from the whole mountain, and to camp and harvest firewood at the base. It’s a win-win for everyone and I thank Representative Leger Fernandez for introducing this important legislation,” said Darlene Vigil, Taos County Commissioner. 

“Generations of ranchers have relied on the Cerro de la Olla and the vast grasslands in the region to graze our cattle but it’s also a place that wildlife have long depended on too.  My ranch sits adjacent to this mountain and we have done all we can to restore our own land and now it is more important than ever that the neighboring wilderness lands in Cerro de la Olla be protected, so that wildlife populations continue to thrive for future generations,” saidEliu Romero, grazing permittee on Cerro de la Olla and private landowner adjacent to Cerro de la Olla.  

“As the U.S. experiences a devastating loss of nature to development – a football field worth of land every thirty seconds – it is critical that we come together to protect our last remaining wild places. Cerro de la Olla, which carries such deep historical, environmental and recreational importance to so many in the local community, deserves to be permanently protected. This caldera offers visitors much-needed solitude and unmatched scenic vistas, and provides critical winter habitat and sanctuary for migrating elk who are struggling to adapt to climate change. It’s a new day in Washington DC and with Representative Leger Fernández’s leadership in working to advance the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness bill, we can finally get the protections these lands deserve,” said Michael Casaus, New Mexico Director of The Wilderness Society.

“Humans have visited Cerro de la Olla for thousands of years. Today, New Mexicans and others visit this rugged mountain to enjoy solitude and expansive vistas, to camp and hike, for its abundant wildlife, and to appreciate its wild beauty. This bill recognizes the importance of saving this special place for tomorrow’s visitors, human and wildlife alike, that they may have the same opportunities that we are fortunate enough to have today. We thank Congresswoman Leger Fernandez for reintroducing this bill in the House, as this bill underscores the overwhelming community support for protecting ‘Pot Mountain’ and how deserving it is of a wilderness designation,” said Mark Allison, New Mexico Wild Executive Director.

“Governments and businesses in Taos County united to support the Cerro de la Olla Wilderness bill. Cerro de la Olla provides beauty and solitude for humans here as well as firewood, wildlife game harvests, and herbal medicines for many who call the region home.  For wildlife, Cerro de la Olla is a roadless haven from the lands that sit between the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges that has now been crisscrossed with roads.  The remarkable volcanic area of  Pot Mountain provides shelter to big game animals who depend on this mountain for food and shelter, especially during  winter migrations where up to 2,000 elk congregate in the area.  We all want to see this remarkable place protected as wilderness for the benefit of present and future generations,” said Roberta Salazar, Executive Director of Rivers and Birds.

You can access the text of the bill here. 

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