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| Domenici & Wilson Work To Renew Talks About Land Dispute |
May 08, 2000 |
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ALBUQUERQUE – Congresswoman Heather Wilson and representatives from U.S. Senator Pete Domenici’s office met today with all parties involved in the Sandia Mountain land dispute in an opening bid to jumpstart talks toward a mutually-agreeable solution.
In two separate meetings in Wilson’s Albuquerque office, Wilson and Domenici’s staff met with officials from the city of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County and the Sandia Mountain Coalition; and then with representatives from the Sandia Pueblo, the Department of Justice, the Department of Interior, the Forest Service and the Tram Co.
At the meetings, all parties were encouraged to continue to work to find a resolution that can be turned into legislation. Following a series of discussions, Domenici and U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno last week pledged mutual support for bringing all parties together to reach a solution to the Sandia Mountain land claims. Today’s meetings represented an initial attempt to ask all sides to continue efforts to find a solution.
“We need understanding, openness and good faith if the land claim dispute is to be worked out successfully. I hope these initial meetings set all parities on a path toward reaching that goal. I will continue to do what I can to help move this process forward,” said Domenici, who was in New York City on Monday to attend the funeral of Cardinal John O’Connor.
“I believe there is considerable common ground and a desire to resolve this without a long lawsuit,” Wilson said. “Senator Domenici and I will work together to help resolve this. The meetings this morning were a good first step.”
Last month Domenici and Wilson informed Reno that they would not introduce or support legislation needed to authorize implementation of an April settlement agreement concerning land claims to Sandia Mountain. Their pronouncement came after the announcement of an agreement involving the U.S. Forest Service, Sandia Pueblo and the Tram Company. That agreement did not include, and is opposed by, Bernalillo County, the city of Albuquerque, and the Sandia Mountain Coalition.
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