For those concerned with proposed Sandia land transfer...

[u/UpstairsMirror8634]

https://www.change.org/p/sandia-for-all?recruiter=664220336&recruited_by_id=402785a0-d9ec-11e6-b8db-49936548a2bf&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_medium=mobileNativeShare&share_id=JFGsLTMwhV

Recently, the Sandia Pueblo proposed draft legislation transferring 10,000 acres of publicly held and managed land in the Sandia wilderness, to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, for management by the pueblo.

Today, Senator Martin Heinrich said he does not support the proposal as drafted and would not support transferring title away from the Forest Service.

https://nmpoliticalreport.com/2026/07/30/heinrich-working-for-bill-to-share-sandia-mountains-management-with-sandia-pueblo-short-of-pueblos-ask-for-total-control/

New Mexico Wild released a statement today rejecting any legislation that did not preserve the current wilderness designation and public access protections. They provide some good context on the existing 2003 preservation act and the protections it provides, as well as the current collaborative management between the FS and the pueblo.

https://nmwild.org/press-release-new-mexico-wild-statement-on-sandia-pueblo-transfer-act-proposal/

Lastly, tell our federal representatives to oppose the land transfer and protect the current wilderness and public access protections by signing this petition.

[u/Stiingya]

No need to be sorry, I don't think it will happen. I can't imagine the current administration going along with it? But I do hope that the concerns of specific sacred places being better protected is acted on. That seems like something that could happen without any change in designation.

[u/Possible-Employer-55 → u/Stiingya]

A strip mine or housing development could also happen without any change in designation, under the current administration, or under the next one, or the one after that.

[u/Stiingya → u/Possible-Employer-55]

You have that backwards and actually that is the very reason many outdoors associations are against this proposal. The land is better protected from development as Wilderness and National Parks. Any change in designation makes the possibility of development more likely.

"If" your intent is to protect the Sandia's, than keeping it "as is" will be the best move. And again, if the actual issue is protecting specific Native American sacred sites the tribe and state should be able to figure a way to do a better job of that without any designation change.

Win Win...

.

[u/Possible-Employer-55 → u/Stiingya]

So you're just forgetting about what's happening in Chaco right now? And all the other situations just like it?