Heinrich discusses hardrock mining royalty fees and Sabinoso Wilderness funding

During a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on the U.S. Department of the Interior's (DOI) fiscal year 2017 budget request, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich recognized DOI's budget proposal for $2.3 million to support access to the Sabinoso Wilderness. Established by Congress in 2009, the public has never had legal access to the Sabinoso Wilderness because there is no public road or trail from the county road to the area. The Bureau of Land Management is working to acquire land that will provide public access to the wilderness for the first time. DOI's budget request includes making funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund mandatory and permanently authorizes the program, which will help purchase land to complete full public access to the Sabinoso Wilderness. February 23, 2016.