Heinrich, Leger Fernández Lead N.M. Delegation to Unveil New Legislation to Permanently Protect Caja del Rio

SANTA FE, N.M. - At a press conference in front of La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and co-founder of the U.S. Senate Stewardship Caucus, and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs, unveiled their Caja del Rio Protection Act, legislation to permanently protect the Caja del Rio Plateau.

The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), founder and co-chair of the U.S. House Public Lands Caucus.

"The Caja del Rio is not acreage on a map. It is a place of memory, identity, ceremony, recreation, and refuge. Its future depends on our ability to embrace this shared responsibility - not just for ourselves, but for everyone who will come after us. The Caja has shaped the history and identity of northern New Mexico for centuries. Now it is our turn to shape a future worthy of this place," said Heinrich. "It is my great honor to introduce legislation to permanently protect the Caja del Rio for generations to come. And this is just the beginning. We must continue to work together to keep public lands in public hands."

"The Caja del Rio is where the beautifully diverse story of New Mexico lives - in our petroglyphs, our piñon gathering, our Tribal traditions, and our Hispano ranching communities. This land belongs to the people of New Mexico who have cared for it since time immemorial and to future generations who deserve to inherit its tradition and its beauty. As Republicans in Washington push to sell off public lands, we're making clear that the Caja is not for sale. This legislation not only reflects our diverse heritage - it is also a product of collaboration and diverse communities coming together to protect their shared heritage. That's how it's done in New Mexico where we know that diversity is our strength," said Leger Fernández.

"The Caja del Rio holds deep significance and is part of the traditions and culture for many,"said Luján. "That is why I am joining Senator Heinrich and Representative Leger Fernández in introducing the Caja del Rio Protection Act, legislation that would safeguard the public lands of the Caja del Rio plateau. With a united coalition of local governments, Tribes, ranchers, and community organizations, this legislation is vital to warding off threats and preserving the heritages of the region."

"The Caja del Rio is one of New Mexico's most treasured landscapes - a place where Tribal communities, our Land Grants, and New Mexico families have lived, gathered, prayed, and cared for the land for generations," said Stansbury. "This landscape must be protected. As the GOP continues to threaten selling off and developing public lands, protecting Caja del Rio is more urgent than ever. That's why we are introducing the Caja del Rio Protection Act to honor the legacy of these lands and ensure they remain protected for generations to come. I'm proud to stand alongside Tribes, local governments, community organizations, and advocates across New Mexico who have come together to protect this place which is so deeply sacred, culturally significant, and uniquely New Mexican."

"The Caja del Rio is a place sacred to our Pueblos and holds the history of New Mexico across its vast, rugged landscape. But unfortunately, it's also a place that has been neglected and used as an illegal dumping ground for far too long," said Vasquez. "From Diablo Canyon to the La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs, these public lands must be protected for future generations, safeguarded from vandalism, and accessible for New Mexicans to enjoy. I'm proud to co-sponsor this legislation with my colleagues and move this effort forward."

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and co-founder of the U.S. Senate Stewardship Caucus, unveils the Caja del Rio Protection Act at a press conference in front of La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs trailhead, May 8, 2026.

The Caja del Rio is one of the Southwest's most culturally significant landscapes - a living testament to centuries of New Mexico's complex and often under-told history. It holds deep importance for traditional Spanish land grant communities, acequia communities, livestock permittees, and has been vital to Tribal communities since time immemorial. The Caja remains part of the traditions and culture of the surrounding Pueblos and Traditional Historic Communities today.

The plateau also contains one of the most historically intact sections of the El Camino Real, a vital artery that linked New Mexico to the wider world during the Spanish colonial era. Ecologically, the Caja serves as a critical wildlife corridor, linking essential habitats for a wide range of species.

Multiple threats have united local governments, Tribes, Traditional Historic Communities, and community organizations to preserve the shared yet distinct heritages of the region. These threats include desecration of petroglyphs, irresponsible off-roading, illegal dumping, and President Trump and Senate Republicans' ongoing attempts to sell off public lands.

The Caja del Rio Protection Act permanently protects the plateau for future generations by establishing two new protected areas near Santa Fe - the Caja del Rio Special Management Area (SMA) and National Conservation Area (NCA) - to conserve and permanently protect local cultural, ecological, and spiritual values. Specifically, the legislation:

• Protects public lands from sale or privatization;
• Prohibits new roads, mining, and rights-of-way, ensuring the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Electrical Power Capacity Upgrade (EPCU) transmission line will be the last to cross the Caja del Rio plateau;
• Requires consultation with Tribes and coordination with Traditional Historic Communities;
• Preserves traditional uses such as herb and mineral gathering, hunting and grazing;
• Protects confidential Indigenous knowledge and sacred site locations from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA);
• Reduces unauthorized roads and limits motor vehicle use;
• Calls for public land agencies to provide adequate law enforcement and requires the posting of signs to inform the public of designated routes and penalties for violations; and
• Allows for ecological restoration, such as reducing wildfire risk or improving habitat, where necessary.

The legislation is endorsed by the All Pueblo Council of Governors, Santa Fe County Commission, Sandoval County Commission, Santa Fe Mayor Michael Garcia, and more. For a full list of endorsers, click here.

A map of the proposed Caja del Rio Special Management Area and National Conservation Area created by the legislation is here.

A one-page summary of the bill is here.

A section-by-section summary of the bill is here.

The full text of the bill is here.

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