Urban sprawl scored a small victory over the protection of national parks Wednesday, conservationists say.
A U.S. Senate committee approved a proposal that would allow Albuquerque officials to extend a major road through Petroglyph National Monument, home to ancient American Indian rock drawings considered sacred by many pueblo tribes.Conservationists called the approval a dark day for the national park system.
"Congress took another step toward approving the paving of America's national parks," said Dave Simon, southwest regional director of the National Parks and Conservation Association here. "If the government can do it here, monuments in other states will be next."
Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., introduced the proposal to change the 1990 law establishing the national monument on Albuquerque's West Mesa. It would allow the city to extend Paseo del Norte, a six-lane highway considered a key thoroughfare on the city's burgeoning west side.
Domenici said the highway's extension, which would cut through 8.5 acres on the park's northern boundary, would have a minuscule effect on the national monument.
"The majority of people in Albuquerque know it won't cause any damage to the petroglyphs," Domenici said. "This is a victory for a compelling number of people . . . that would like to get along in helping transportation needs of the west side."
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved the proposal on a voice vote, sending it to the full Senate.
Domenici said he expects the legislation to pass the Senate and be signed into law with little debate. The House also would have to pass the measure.
But even if the bill is signed by the president, the extension must still be approved by the city of Albuquerque.
The highway is backed by the City Council and most of New Mexico's congressional delegation. But Mayor Jim Baca, several Indian tribes and some 40 organizations oppose it.
"The bill has a long way to go before it reaches the president's desk," Baca said Wednesday. "Should it make it through the full Senate and House, I will urge the president to veto the bill."
Conservationists have pinned their hopes on New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman to stop the bill in the Senate. But the Democratic senator hasn't made a strong stand on the issue.
Bingaman voted against the bill during Wednesday's committee hearing, saying he wants to give the National Park Service more say in the road design to help reduce its impact on the petroglyphs.
If that difference is resolved, Bingaman said, he would support the road extension.
Simon said Bingaman's constituents should demand more from him.
"We are extremely disappointed that Bingaman would let this road be built. He is ignoring his constituents," Simon said.
The new road would bring auto and noise pollution from more than 24,000 cars a day, Simon said, ruining the sanctity and solitude of the petroglyphs for anyone who visits that area.
Less than a year ago, the All Indian Pueblo Council unanimously opposed road extensions through the monument. But now some tribes appear to be backing off their opposition, said Malcom Montoya, lands director for Sandia Pueblo, which opposes the roads.
Montoya would not say which tribes had backed away, but said he believes some fear cuts in congressional funding if they oppose Domenici, who chairs the powerful Senate Budget Committee.
Domenici's office denies there has ever been any threat of funding cuts.