“We must keep White Peak open to hunters and the public,” says Powell

ALBUQUERQUE (Monday, February 1, 2010). State Land Commissioner Pat Lyons has been at the center of controversy for his decision to trade away White Peak state lands in northern New Mexico.  Sportsmen, elected officials, former State Land Commissioner Ray Powell and leaders from northern New Mexico communities have been critical of the exchange.

Lyons has been under investigation by both the New Mexico Attorney General and New Mexico State Auditor regarding the process for selling, exchanging, and leasing of trust lands. Today, Attorney General Gary King sued the State Land Office in the New Mexico Supreme Court, requesting an emergency stay for the White Peak Exchange.

“The decision by the Attorney General to protect lands treasured by hunters and used by generations of northern New Mexicans is a good one,” says Powell, “I fully support the decision to take this case to the State Supreme Court.”

“From the onset, this exchange needed more oversight and scrutiny. Affected group,  local communities and the public were never consulted. The danger, as noted by the Attorney General, is that more White Peak exchanges are forthcoming in the remaining nine months Lyons has in office,” says Ray Powell.

“The State Land Office’s proposed land exchange around White Peak represents a case study of what not to do when one is responsible for our public lands,” says Powell.  “I am committed to working to reform the policies and procedures at the Land Office to increase transparency and accountability and prevent abuses like this from happening in the future,” says Powell.

Veterinarian Ray Powell is a Democratic candidate for the position of state land commissioner. Powell served as Land Commissioner from 1993-2002, and was recognized for running one of the best land management agencies in the country.

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Contacts

• Ray Powell, (505) 507-0697
• Neri Holguin, Campaign Manager, (505) 217-8705