Powell to Lyons “The White Peaks Land Exchange is Unlike Anything I’ve Ever Seen. Slow Down and Open the Process to the Public.”

For Immediate Release: Friday, November 20, 2009

Contacts:
Ray Powell, 505- 507-0697
Neri Holguin, Campaign Manager, 505-217-8705

ALBUQUERQUE (Friday, November 20, 2009). Statewide sportsmen groups held a press conference today raising serious concerns about several large land trades in the White Peak area (near the Mora / Colfax County line in northern New Mexico) that the State Land Office has put out to bid. The bids close next week. The trade has been done without public involvement and would lock up quality land, valuable water resources, and important wildlife habitat and hunting grounds.

“The White Peaks land exchange has not been an open process and people have not been invited to participate in what is best for the trust and New Mexico. I’m glad to see sportsmen groups highlighting this issue and working to make people aware of this type of transaction at the land office,” said Powell.

“As I travel around the state I have been working hard to alert people to the need to be engaged and aware of land transfers being proposed by the current administration at the land office. As a former Land Commissioner, I can tell you, the White Peaks land exchange is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. What we know is this: this is not a “like for like” exchange. We need to know what is being traded for what. Is the trust trading away good wildlife habitat and public hunting grounds for questionable pasture lands?”

“This trade seems to be similar to what we saw in Las Cruces,” said Powell, referring to a controversial land transfer in Las Cruces in 2006 where Land Commissioner Lyons transferred thousands of acres to a developer after shutting down the open bid process. It turned out that this developer contributed thousands of dollars to Lyons’ re-election campaign leading to accusations of “pay-to-play.” “And, like what we saw in Las Cruces, this was done without involving the community,” said Powell.

“Sunshine, transparency, and public involvement is the best antidote to these seriously flawed proposals.”

Powell is running for Land Commissioner on a platform of reform in the State Land Office, creating economic development, and conserving and protecting New Mexico’s valuable public lands. As Commissioner, Powell will protect and manage state trust lands. After eight years of controversies and distractions Powell says it’s time to restore trust in the State Land Office.

A New Mexico native, Powell is from Albuquerque and lives in the North Valley with his wife, Jean. Powell served as Land Commissioner from 1993-2002, and was recognized for running one of the best land management agencies in the country. Ray is a veterinarian and currently works as a regional director for the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research Education and Conservation in Santa Fe.

Ray is facing Santa Fe County Commissioners Harry Montoya and Mike Anaya and Public Regulatory Commission Chairman Sandy Jones. The Democratic Primary election is June 1, 2010.

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