National News

View of Casa Grande and the Chisos Basin looking through the Window, Big Bend National Park by Rick
LoBello.

Salazar and Rodriguez highlight Recovery Act Projects at Big Bend National Park, encourages International Conservation Partnership with Mexico

March 12, 2010. BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TX – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Congressman Ciro Rodriguez today highlighted more than $10.4 million in projects that are creating jobs at Big Bend National Park under President Obama’s economic recovery plan.

During a tour of the park, Salazar and Rodriguez also strongly supported expanded international cooperation between Mexico and the United States in conserving and managing the unique natural areas on both sides of the border, including the potential establishment of a Big Bend/Rio Bravo International Park.

“The investments at Big Bend under the President’s economic recovery plan are paying off both in terms of getting Americans back to work and upgrading the facilities at one of our great national parks,” Salazar said. “Thanks to the work being done here, visitors will enjoy a better park and a more enjoyable experience.”

“I am honored to host Secretary Salazar during his visit to one of the greatest natural treasures in the 23rd Congressional District,” said Congressman Rodriguez. “I’m proud to represent this area and look forward to having a dialogue with the Secretary about how best to preserve and enhance the Park using Stimulus funding and other resources.”

Investments under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed last year by President include:

$9.2 million to perform preservation treatment on 123 miles of roads in the park.

$619,000 to clean up and repair campgrounds damaged by floods in September 2008

$418,000 to rehabilitate historic law enforcement quarters to allow for year-round occupancy.

$199,000 to improve visitor safety by rehabilitating trails.

Salazar and his Mexican counterpart Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada also are considering a proposal first put forward by Franklin Roosevelt and then-Mexican president Manuel Ávila Camacho more than 70 years ago to establish an international park along the U.S.-Mexican border. In the decades since, the National Park Service and its Mexican counterpart, the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas, have worked closely to coordinate management of the area.

Added to the Santa Elena and Maderas del Carmen Protected Areas, the recent designation of the Ocampo Protected Area and the Monumento Natural del Rio Bravo form a Mexican complex that, together with. Big Bend National Park and the designation of the Rio Grande as a "Wild and Scenic River," comprise one of North America's largest and most important conservation areas.

"The United States and Mexico are neighbors sharing a beautiful treasure,” Salazar said. “Our two nations could and should engage in an even higher level of cooperation to conserve this remarkable area and its wildlife while providing more opportunities for visitors to enjoy it.”

“In particular, this would help us better address key issues to the area such protection water and air quality, control of invasive species, and management of wildland fire,” he said.

Salazar noted that each country would maintain management responsibility for their side of the border, similar to the relationship between the United States and Canada at the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.

Salazar key to US Mexico international park in the Big Bend region

By Mark Glover. Reprinted with Permission. Courtesy Big Bend Sentinel.

January 21, 2010. Alpine - Linking private and public lands on both sides of the Rio Bravo/Rio Grande to create an international park at the big bend of our border with Mexico has vexed politicians for seventy five years. But last summer those efforts got new life when U.S. Dept of Interior Chief Ken Salazar and his Mexican counterpart Juan Elvira discussed the project during the North American Leaders Summit held in Guadalajara.

Although an agreement was not reached, a letter of intent was signed to pursue the matter and perhaps negate President Franklin D Roosevelt’s angst depicted in a letter he wrote to Mexican President Manual Avila Camancho in 1944, “"I do not believe that this undertaking in the Big Bend (referring to the establishment of Big Bend National Park) will be complete until the entire park area in this region on both sides of the Rio Grande forms one great international park."
In today’s arena of cartel wars, drug smuggling and a closed border the international park idea seems improbable but Salazar’s determination may make the difference.

“The deciding factor may be whether Secretary Salazar wants to take a personal interest in the negotiations,” said Big Bend National Park Superintendent Bill Wellman.

Salazar, who grew up in the San Luis Valley, the headwaters of the Rio Grande in southern Colorado, knows the river and the desert. He was raised in an adobe home without electricity or plumbing and his family relied on the high dry terrain for food. Salazar mentions his love for the desert in almost all of his speeches.

And he’s not alone in support of the international park. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez energized the act by initiating House Resolution 695 last year that calls for discussions on the international park at high levels. According to the Congressman’s Press Secretary Rebeca Chapa, “Congressman Rodriguez is actively pursuing way to make this unique park a reality.”
In the post 9-11 age of increased US border security, the Department of Homeland Security headed by Secretary Janet Napolitano will be a significant factor in the negotiations.

“In principle, they (DHS) don’t have a problem with it,” Wellman said. “We have to come up with a reasonable proposal that works.”

“Secretary Salazar is reaching out to Secretary Napolitano to push this plan forward,” Courtney Lyons-Garcia Executive Director of the Friends of the Big Bend, said last week after returning from a trip from Washington DC where she met with members of the National Park Service, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Interior on the matter.

They’re looking to get a practical plan moving forward, get it on the table, a plan that is sustainable over the next 10 to 15 years, that not only encompasses an international park but also works as a conservation effort to control invasive species, protect native species and to work out flood control,” Lyons-Garcia said.

Should the International Park with Mexico succeed, it would be the second such arrangement the US has with another country. Waterton Glacier International Peace Park lies on the border with Canada straddling the states of Montana and Alberta.

“The big difference there is that on both sides of the border the land is government owned,” Wellman said. “In Mexico we’re dealing with both government and private landowners.”

To facilitate nearly three million contiguous acres of public access, three areas, privately owned, but federally protected parcels are part of the Mexican side of the international park plan: Sierra del Carmen (owned by CEMEX – one of the world’s largest cement producers, Canon de Santa Helena and the Maderas del Carmen. The big bend reach of the Rio Bravo was recently acquired by the Mexican government.

“The way we manage and the way they manage protected lands is quite different,” Wellman said.

On the US side of the proposed international park the Big Bend National Park, The Wild and Scenic River reach of the Rio Grande, the Texas owned 103,000 acre Black Gap Wildlife Management Area and the near-by but not contiguous 314,000 acre Big Bend Ranch State Park may all be part of the plan.

Boquillas, across from Big Bend National Park’s Rio Grande Village is likely to be the access point to the Mexican side of the park. Prior to 9-11, before the border with Mexico was closed, Boquillas served as an unofficial international aside for visitors to the Big Bend National Park.
“If they’re going to allow tour access, Mexico will have to provide some infrastructure, probably at Boquillas,” Lyons-Garcia said.

Amid almost daily headlines of drug-smuggling, murder and corruption charges, the border region could use some good news.

“Both countries would like to have a success,” Wellman said.

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View of Casa Grande and the Chisos Basin looking through the Window, Big Bend National Park by Rick LoBello. Salazar and Rodriguez highlight Recovery Act Projects at Big Bend National Park, encourages International Conservation Partnership with Mexico March 12, 2010. BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TX – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Congressman Ciro Rodriguez today highlighted more than $10.4 million in projects that are creating jobs at Big Bend National Park under President Obama’s economic recovery plan. During a tour of the park, Salazar and Rodriguez also strongly supported expanded international cooperation between Mexico and the United States in conserving and managing the unique natural areas on both sides of the border, including the potential establishment of a Big Bend/Rio Bravo International Park. “The investments at Big Bend under the President’s economic recovery plan are paying off both in terms of getting Americans back to work and upgrading the facilities at one of our great national parks,” Salazar said. “Thanks to the work being done here, visitors will enjoy a better park and a more enjoyable experience.” “I am honored to host Secretary Salazar during his visit to one of the greatest natural treasures in the 23rd Congressional District,” said Congressman Rodriguez. “I’m proud to represent this area and look forward to having a dialogue with the Secretary about how best to preserve and enhance the Park using Stimulus funding and other resources.” Investments under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed last year by President include: $9.2 million to perform preservation treatment on 123 miles of roads in the park. $619,000 to clean up and repair campgrounds damaged by floods in September 2008 $418,000 to rehabilitate historic law enforcement quarters to allow for year-round occupancy. $199,000 to improve visitor safety by rehabilitating trails. Salazar and his Mexican counterpart Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada also are considering a proposal first put forward by Franklin Roosevelt and then-Mexican president Manuel Ávila Camacho more than 70 years ago to establish an international park along the U.S.-Mexican border. In the decades since, the National Park Service and its Mexican counterpart, the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas, have worked closely to coordinate management of the area. Added to the Santa Elena and Maderas del Carmen Protected Areas, the recent designation of the Ocampo Protected Area and the Monumento Natural del Rio Bravo form a Mexican complex that, together with. Big Bend National Park and the designation of the Rio Grande as a "Wild and Scenic River," comprise one of North America's largest and most important conservation areas. "The United States and Mexico are neighbors sharing a beautiful treasure,” Salazar said. “Our two nations could and should engage in an even higher level of cooperation to conserve this remarkable area and its wildlife while providing more opportunities for visitors to enjoy it.” “In particular, this would help us better address key issues to the area such protection water and air quality, control of invasive species, and management of wildland fire,” he said. Salazar noted that each country would maintain management responsibility for their side of the border, similar to the relationship between the United States and Canada at the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Salazar key to US Mexico international park in the Big Bend region By Mark Glover. Reprinted with Permission. Courtesy Big Bend Sentinel. January 21, 2010. Alpine - Linking private and public lands on both sides of the Rio Bravo/Rio Grande to create an international park at the big bend of our border with Mexico has vexed politicians for seventy five years. But last summer those efforts got new life when U.S. Dept of Interior Chief Ken Salazar and his Mexican counterpart Juan Elvira discussed the project during the North American Leaders Summit held in Guadalajara. Although an agreement was not reached, a letter of intent was signed to pursue the matter and perhaps negate President Franklin D Roosevelt’s angst depicted in a letter he wrote to Mexican President Manual Avila Camancho in 1944, “"I do not believe that this undertaking in the Big Bend (referring to the establishment of Big Bend National Park) will be complete until the entire park area in this region on both sides of the Rio Grande forms one great international park." In today’s arena of cartel wars, drug smuggling and a closed border the international park idea seems improbable but Salazar’s determination may make the difference. “The deciding factor may be whether Secretary Salazar wants to take a personal interest in the negotiations,” said Big Bend National Park Superintendent Bill Wellman. Salazar, who grew up in the San Luis Valley, the headwaters of the Rio Grande in southern Colorado, knows the river and the desert. He was raised in an adobe home without electricity or plumbing and his family relied on the high dry terrain for food. Salazar mentions his love for the desert in almost all of his speeches. And he’s not alone in support of the international park. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez energized the act by initiating House Resolution 695 last year that calls for discussions on the international park at high levels. According to the Congressman’s Press Secretary Rebeca Chapa, “Congressman Rodriguez is actively pursuing way to make this unique park a reality.” In the post 9-11 age of increased US border security, the Department of Homeland Security headed by Secretary Janet Napolitano will be a significant factor in the negotiations. “In principle, they (DHS) don’t have a problem with it,” Wellman said. “We have to come up with a reasonable proposal that works.” “Secretary Salazar is reaching out to Secretary Napolitano to push this plan forward,” Courtney Lyons-Garcia Executive Director of the Friends of the Big Bend, said last week after returning from a trip from Washington DC where she met with members of the National Park Service, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Interior on the matter. They’re looking to get a practical plan moving forward, get it on the table, a plan that is sustainable over the next 10 to 15 years, that not only encompasses an international park but also works as a conservation effort to control invasive species, protect native species and to work out flood control,” Lyons-Garcia said. Should the International Park with Mexico succeed, it would be the second such arrangement the US has with another country. Waterton Glacier International Peace Park lies on the border with Canada straddling the states of Montana and Alberta. “The big difference there is that on both sides of the border the land is government owned,” Wellman said. “In Mexico we’re dealing with both government and private landowners.” To facilitate nearly three million contiguous acres of public access, three areas, privately owned, but federally protected parcels are part of the Mexican side of the international park plan: Sierra del Carmen (owned by CEMEX – one of the world’s largest cement producers, Canon de Santa Helena and the Maderas del Carmen. The big bend reach of the Rio Bravo was recently acquired by the Mexican government. “The way we manage and the way they manage protected lands is quite different,” Wellman said. On the US side of the proposed international park the Big Bend National Park, The Wild and Scenic River reach of the Rio Grande, the Texas owned 103,000 acre Black Gap Wildlife Management Area and the near-by but not contiguous 314,000 acre Big Bend Ranch State Park may all be part of the plan. Boquillas, across from Big Bend National Park’s Rio Grande Village is likely to be the access point to the Mexican side of the park. Prior to 9-11, before the border with Mexico was closed, Boquillas served as an unofficial international aside for visitors to the Big Bend National Park. “If they’re going to allow tour access, Mexico will have to provide some infrastructure, probably at Boquillas,” Lyons-Garcia said. Amid almost daily headlines of drug-smuggling, murder and corruption charges, the border region could use some good news. “Both countries would like to have a success,” Wellman said. To Top of Page	Friends of a US Mexico Giant Park in the Big Bend Region of Texas & Mexico President Obama Launches Initiative to Develop a 21st Century Strategy for America’s Great Outdoors WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 16, 2010 President Barack Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum establishing the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to promote and support innovative community-level efforts to conserve outdoor spaces and to reconnect Americans to the outdoors. The President spoke before leaders representing the conservation, farming, ranching, sporting, recreation, forestry, private industry, local parks and academia communities from all 53 states and territories. The Presidential Memorandum calls on the Secretaries of the Interior and of Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to lead the Initiative, in coordination with the Departments of Defense, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Labor, Transportation, Education, and the Office of Management and Budget. The Initiative will support a 21st century conservation agenda that builds on successes in communities across the country, and will start a national dialogue about conservation that supports the efforts of private citizens and local communities. “Today, with 80 percent of Americans living in cities and suburbs, it is more important than ever for people to have access to outdoor space. Just as we cherish our childhood memories of hiking and sledding, fishing and camping, and just as we enjoy spending time outdoors with our families, we must guard these places and traditions for new generations,” said CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley. “Through this Initiative we hope to identify new opportunities to work with Americans on a modern approach to conservation that begins at the ground level, and to reinvigorate the national conversation about our outdoors.” “Since President Theodore Roosevelt held the first White House conference on conservation in 1908, we as Americans have taken extraordinary steps to protect our land, water, wildlife, and history for future generations, but today the places we love face new challenges that require new ideas and new strategies to solve,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative will start a much-needed dialogue about conservation in our country so that we can hear directly from Americans about the places they care about and how they are working to protect them. This is about listening, learning, and finding common-sense ways to support the good work that is happening in communities across the country.” “President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative will play an important role in confronting the serious challenges our natural resources face today: climate change, air and water pollution, landscape fragmentation and loss of open space,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This effort will bring Americans from across the country together to look for new approaches to protect our national treasures. And it will highlight the importance of working across ownership boundaries to restore and conserve both private and public lands in a way that recognizes that conservation and economic vitality are inextricably linked.” “Too many of our cities have limited access to parks for children, low-income residents and communities of color. Improving access to open areas and green space in our urban communities should be a focus of a 21st century conservation strategy,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “It makes me proud that generations to come will know that we took action to preserve, restore and protect vital natural treasures.” The full text of the Memorandum can be found at http://doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/ upload/2010outdoors-mem-rel-2.pdf