Rio Grande Trail Commission drafting master plan State may swap land with BLM to connect trail

Algernon D'Ammassa | Las Cruces Sun-News

LAS CRUCES - The Rio Grande Trail Commission gave an update on the progress of its plan to designate 500 miles of recreational trail across New Mexico at a packed meeting in Las Cruces on Tuesday.

The commissioners, including legislative advisory members Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, and Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, convened the meeting at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum.

The commission is tasked with establishing a recreational trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding through the state, connecting to Texas and Colorado and following the Rio Grande. Their work includes establishing the trail's route and developing a plan for establishing trail heads, facilities and other needed improvements to trail segments.

Consultants from Alta Planning and Design presented a draft map of the trail's preferred alignment, with a complete draft anticipated for July and an online virtual open house projected for August.

The commission will also move forward with establishing a nonprofit organization charged with oversight and promotion of the trail. Commission Chairman Ken McQueen, secretary of the of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, said he hoped that would be established later this summer.

McQueen noted that Acting Indian Affairs Secretary Suzette Shije and he had consulted formally with all impacted pueblos and tribes.

More: Rio Grande Trail Commission to host virtual open house, seeks feedback

The commission also discussed mapping points of access to the Rio Grande as well as entry points for emergency responders.

Commissioner David Griscom, division director for the Tourism Development Division of the New Mexico Tourism Department, presented five prospective logos for promoting and marking the trail. Commissioners and those in attendance provided comments and suggestions but no official selection was made.

Land swap?

McQueen also updated commissioners and the public about negotiations with the New Mexico State Land Office for the lease of trail segments on trust lands, and the possibility of swapping some trust land for federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management for the purpose of connecting trail segments. He said he hoped a deal could be reached by the end of 2018, when Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn will finish his time in office.

Teresa Martinez, executive director of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, praised the commissioners during the open session for the quality of their planning to date, saying the master plan and other organizational work will expedite the process, including the lengthy national trail designation process.

"You guys are doing all the work right," she said.

Algernon D'Ammassa can be reached at 575-541-5451, adammassa@lcsun-news.com or @AlgernonActor on Twitter.