I read this post with some sadness. Unfortunately, this action
(seeking and receiving a federal exemption) would not be setting a
precedent. In Hawai`i, the construction of an interstate (yes, that's what
it was called) highway across a designated National Historical Monument (I
know it had a type of federal protection) was hung up by applicable federal
laws. Concerned citizens had challenged the project for over 20 years and
had suceeded in stalling its implementation. However, our own Senator
Daniel Inouye was able to seek and secure an exemption to federal laws for
construction of the freeway. This freeway has intruded upon sacred burial,
agricultural and living complexes, and spiritually significant religious
sites. Although some aspects of the freeway were designed to avoid (in
some cases encircle without physically touching) certain sites - the
project remains a very sore spot with many Native Hawaiians. Likewise,
beware of the ability of legislators to secure exemptions from laws which
we too often assume are unassailable.
Sorry this news is not more cheerful. But, knowing that what this
mayor seeks to do is not impossible should help you prepare to head he and
his supporters off at the pass. Educate yourselves on the applicable laws
which help to protect the area at present, talk to members of your
congressional delegation (if they are not helpful go to others who might
be). Look at what transpired in the Hawai`i case (the highway is called
H-3) the local Hawai`i groups who have been involved legally are Life of
the Land, Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs,
Ka Lahui Hawai`i, et.al. Forgive me if I have left out any groups (E kala
mai). Hope this can serve to help you folks in your fight. Aloha, Scott
> PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT IN NEW MEXICO
> IMPERILED BY ROAD PLANS
>
> The Monument is now threatened by the City of Albuquerque's plans to
> construct two commuter highways through the Monument - six lane Paseo del
> Norte and four lane Unser Boulevard.
>
> It is widely acknowledged that construction of Paseo del Norte would violate
> applicable federal laws. For this reason Chavez is pushing for a
> Congressional fix - an amendment to the Act which created the monument which
> would authorize construction of the road. We need you help in preventing
> such an atrocity, which will result in desecration of a sacred area, set a
> dangerous precedent by allowing construction of commuter highways through a
> unit of the National Park System, and degrade the area's cultural,
> archeological, scientific and natural values.