The question was:

"The Bureau of Land Management is currently renewing its Resource Management Plan, including consideration of adding additional wilderness areas in Dona Ana County.  Do you support more wilderness designations in Dona Ana County and, specifically, on what will you base your decision on how many acres, if any, would be added."

Here are the candidates' responses:

Vincent Boudreau: "No additional Wilderness Areas have been included or recommended by the BLM in the current revision to the RMP.  The consensus plan recently agreed upon by the builders group and Wilderness Alliance appears satisfactory.  This amount of wilderness area should suffice for the time being."

Isaac E. Chavez: "I am supportive of protecting our beloved Organ Mountains from the encroachment of development.  "Wilderness" is only one of many tools in the BLM's "toolbox".  As a Councilor, I will encourage the BLM to make extensive use of the mandated "public participation" process in order to gauge all stakeholders' sentiments."

Dolores Connor: "(a) I have been advocating the protection of the Organ Mountains into a National Conservation Area since 2005.  We must focus on the economic value to open space and what attracts residents and business to cities that are willing to protect these areas for public use.  (b) Regarding more wilderness in Dona Ana County these additional areas should be considered individually on their own merits and on who is the best steward for the public lands."

Jose Frietze: "Yes, I support wilderness designations in Dona Ana County.  It is important to this and future generations that we act now to preserve the wilderness areas that make our City attractive.  Areas such as the Paleozoic Trackways and the petrified wood from the Late Permian Period are important not only to us locally but on a national scale as well.  I support the recent agreement between the Homebuilders and the Wilderness Alliance on protecting the foothills of the Organs.  My support is based on information received and my previous commitment to this project."

Ron Gurley: "I was an official in the US Forest Service shortly after the Wilderness Act of 1964 was implemented.  When BLM was included in 1976 and told to seek locations west of the Mississippi for more designations it opened the door for massive conflicts.  Adding wilderness designations in our area will continue to create heated discussions."

Conrad Gurrera: "As our city is growing, I do support more wilderness.  There still are some places that are very primitive, that need to be developed for the citizens of the country - Organ Mountains, Riverside Deserts."

William "Bill" Mattiace: "I support the designation of the Organ Mountains and its foothills as a protected wilderness.  I am impressed with the recent Home Builder's compromise.  Several acreage formulas have been discussed; any expanded acreage must satisfy the ranchers."

Ken Miyagishima: "I support the compromise recently achieved between members of the wilderness organization and the homebuilders."

Steven Montano: "I strongly support public input and participation during the Resource Management Plan mandated review process.  Decisions by policy makers must be preceded by extensive public participation fostering a consensus building process.  It is important the an intensive environmental impact review be conducted prior to any final decisions on the plan."

Miguel Silva: "I support the protection of open space and wilderness in preserving our cultural heritage.  The complexity of the BLM plan involved both New Mexico Senators, Congressman Pearce, and other local officials.  If a Council decision is required, I will base a decision on a final study or plan."

Nathan Small: "The Sonoran Institute has concluded that protected public lands will likely increase economic opportunities, specifically high paying jobs, in Las Cruces and Dona Ana County.  "Branding" Las Cruces thusly is good business.  I will base my decisions on long term impacts, focusing on building the economy while preserving our way of life."  Note: Nathan Small is a full time employee of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, and environmental activist group driving the campaign for wilderness declaration on Dona Ana County.