Ruidoso News Staff Report

RUIDOSO - New Mexico driver's licenses are again an accepted form of identification to be admitted onto White Sands Missile Range.

U.S. Army officials have granted WSMR a temporary extension to the REAL ID Act through October, after the New Mexico Legislature adopted legislation to bring state driver's licenses into compliance with the federal REAL ID Act. Gov. Susana Martinez is expected to sign the legislation by Wednesday.

WSMR officials were notified last week, and announced Monday, the Army's decision to grant the extension. As a result, a New Mexico driver's license will be accepted as a primary form of identification to enter WSMR, though visitors are still subject to standard security procedures, which includes background checks.

The extension comes as WSMR is about to stage the annual Bataan Memorial Death March. The event will be March 20, and as many as 6,500 people could participate in the event.

"This will not affect the Bataan Memorial Death March at all," said Cammy Montoya, WSMR spokeswoman. "The New Mexico driver's license is going to be accepted."

Last week the Army approved an extension that enabled Fort Bliss, in El Paso, to begin accepting New Mexico driver's licenses again.

In early January, Army officials announced WSMR would not accept state driver's licenses as a form of identification because New Mexico had not complied with provisions of the REAL ID Act. Other military installations and and federal research facilities in the state also stopped accepting driver's licenses as primary identification. REAL ID restrictions are still in effect in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Washington state and American Samoa.

For information, call the WSMR Public Affairs Office,

575-678-1134.