Statement: HECHO Celebrates the Passage of Santa Fe County Resolution to Permanently Protect the Caja del Rio

On Tuesday, May 10th, 2022, The Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously for a resolution calling for permanent protection of the Caja del Rio plateau to safeguard wildlife corridors, ancient petroglyphs, and important lands for Indigenous Pueblo and Spanish land grant communities (read more here).

The resolution is an important step as the Caja del Rio Coalition continues to push the Biden administration to permanently protect the area as a National Monument under the Antiquities Act. The Antiquities Act established the foundation for preserving and protecting the nation's archeological heritage on lands already owned or controlled by the federal government. Former Presidents have used the authority of the Antiquities Act over 250 times to protect archeological sites, historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest already on Federal lands.

As a proud member of the Caja del Rio Coalition, HECHO applauds the Sante Fe Board of County Commissioners for passing this resolution. As stated by HECHO’s New Mexico Senior Field Coordinator, Max Trujillo, “The Caja del Rio is an amazing nexus of culture, history, and wildlife. Ancestors of Spanish settlers 13 generations ago continue to practice traditional lifeways on the land, which was once part of El Camino de Tierra Adentro, the trade route that connected Central to North America. I’m grateful to the Santa Fe County Commissioners for taking initiative to recognize and formally commit to its protection.”

HECHO will continue to do our part to ensure that this sacred land is preserved and protected now and, in the future.