NEWS/ISSUES

Stop the Lock-Out: Protect Motorized Access to the Caja del Rio

Fellow Riders and Outdoor Enthusiasts,

A new threat to our public lands has just been introduced in Washington, D.C. Senator Martin Heinrich and Representative Teresa Leger Fernández have introduced the Caja del Rio Protection Act (S. 4458 / H.R. 8616).

While the bill is being marketed as "protection," the reality for the motorized community is much different. This legislation seeks to designate 107,000 acres of the Caja del Rio as a National Conservation Area and Special Management Area—designations that historically lead to the closure of existing trails and the permanent exclusion of motorized recreation.

Why this matters to you:

• Prohibition of New Roads: The bill explicitly prohibits new road development, which often prevents the creation of sustainable trail loops and reroutes.

• "Secretarial" Closures: The bill gives federal agencies broad authority to determine "appropriate" uses, often prioritizing non-motorized groups while labeling OHV use as "inconsistent" with conservation goals.

• Loss of Heritage: The Caja has been used for generations by New Mexicans for responsible motorized recreation. This bill threatens to turn a multi-use treasure into an exclusive park.

NMOHVA supports responsible conservation, but we believe that true conservation includes access. We cannot allow the "protection" of our lands to become a tool for locking out the people who use and maintain them.

To ensure your NMOHVA members can reach out effectively, here is the direct contact information for both offices. Providing local office numbers is often more effective for New Mexico residents than just the D.C. lines.

Senator Martin Heinrich

Senator Heinrich has several offices across the state, but the Albuquerque and Santa Fe offices are the primary points for this region.

• Washington, D.C. Office

  • Phone: (202) 224-5521

     

  • Address: 709 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

     

• Albuquerque District Office

   

  • Phone: (505) 346-6601

     

  • Address: 400 Gold Avenue SW, Suite 1080, Albuquerque, NM 87102

     

• Santa Fe District Office

   

  • Phone: (505) 988-6647

     

  • Address: 123 East Marcy Street, Suite 103, Santa Fe, NM 87501

     

• Online Contact Form: heinrich.senate.gov/contact

Representative Teresa Leger Fernández

As the representative for New Mexico's 3rd District (which includes the Caja del Rio), her Santa Fe office is the key local contact point.

• Washington, D.C. Office

  • Phone: (202) 225-6190

     

  • Address: 2417 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515

     

• Santa Fe District Office

   

  • Phone: (505) 428-4680

     

  • Address: 120 S. Federal Place, Suite 323, Santa Fe, NM 87501

     

• Gallup Office (Useful for members in the western part of the state)

   

  • Phone: (505) 551-4696

  • Address: 207 West Hill Ave, Office 301A, Gallup, NM 87301

• Online Contact Form: fernandez.house.gov/contact