CIBOLA COUNTY - Two full sections, 1,280 acres, of critical habitat in part of the Cibola National Forest will be permanently protected. The Trust for Public Land and the U.S. Forest Service made the announcement late last week.

The land, 17 miles southeast of Gallup, is part of a tributary drainage area to the Rio Nutria, a small river that provides the only habitat for the Zuni bluehead sucker. The fish is listed by the State of New Mexico as an endangered species and is a candidate for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act.

The USFS had long identified this property as a priority to acquire because of its connectivity to previously isolated national forest lands. TPL worked with the landowner to secure the property and transfer it to the USFS for permanent protection. U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall led the effort to secure federal funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to protect the property.

"TPL is extremely pleased to have played a role to acquire the property," said Greg Hiner, TPL's project manager. "Connecting these lands will provide protection for the Zuni bluehead sucker, enhance recreational opportunities in the forest, and provide better fire and forest management. We are very grateful to the New Mexico congressional delegation who worked to secure the federal funding to protect this important forest property."

"I am very pleased that the U.S. Forest Service and TPL have joined forces to help protect this critical habitat,” said Sen. Bingaman, “this move will greatly benefit visitors to Cibola National Forest as well as the environment."

"A lot of New Mexicans worked very hard to ensure that this land can be protected and passed down to our children," said Sen. Udall. "I am pleased that these 1,280 acres wi11 continue to be a thriving piece of the area's ecosystem and a beautiful place for future generations of New Mexicans to enjoy.”

District Ranger Matthew Reidy said the acreage is a key parcel within the Rio Nutria watershed where riparian and spring habitat is being managed to protect the Zuni bluehead sucker. This fish is considered a sensitive species and the Forest Service has been actively working with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish on its recovery.

Reidy said, "We have worked hard to help in the recovery of the Zuni bluehead sucker and this will provide additional measures for the management of the Zuni bluehead sucker and opportunities for all Americans to use this land within the Zuni Mountains to hike, hunt, and recreate. I look forward to working with The Trust for Public Land in the future to purchase other key parcels of habitat that could be managed in the Zuni Mountains."

In addition to the endangered fish habitat, the area is within the habitat supporting the Mexican spotted owl, a federally listed threatened species, and the Northern goshawk. The area is also important habitat for elk, mule deer, black bear, turkey,and several raptor species.

For more information call Reidy at 287-8833 or e-mail him at: mreidy@fs.fed.us.