Governor Bill Richardson (D)

NATURAL HERITAGE

Oceans: Marine Life [click here to read question nineteen]

“The oceans are critical. We need an ocean protection program – including not drilling in the ecologically critical OCS – that will also allow us to lead other nations by example. I know that fishing and transportation interests will have to agree in their own long-term interest, but moving them will require presidential leadership (like that recently offered by former Clinton chief of Staff Leon Panetta, an old congressional colleague) to implement needed ocean policy reforms.”

Oceans: Offshore Drilling [click here to read question twenty]

“As stated [on this site] and in my energy policy on my website, I think the amount of oil we could possibly derive from these areas would make hardly a dent in our oil supply. Further I am concerned bout these areas’ ecological sensitivity and I think they deserve protection. Last, how about leaving some decisions to future generations instead of thinking we get to drill and burn everything today?”

Endangered Species Act [click here to read question twenty-one]

At a December 2004 Western Governors’ Association meeting on the ESA, I was the lone voice for the ESA – which has protected iconic species such as the grizzly, the wolf, the bald eagle, and the salmon. I think the ESA needs more support to be administered as it should be. I supported the Mexican Wolf restoration in New Mexico, even in hostile town halls in Catron County. I support the silvery minnow. Again, I don’t just talk about it, I do it.

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge [click here to read question twenty-two]

“Like I said, an Administration bill in the first 100 days is critical. This area is an ecological treasure. Let’s keep it that way. And let’s not stoke our oil addiction, and eliminate options for future generations, by drilling and digging everything we can find. I have vocally, strongly, and thoroughly opposed opening ANWR – and here in NM, have done the same thing for ecologically sensitive areas that the industry, the White House, the BLM, and the USFS have tried to open up, such as Otero Mesa and the Valle Vidal. I was years ahead of our Senate delegation on these issues. My instructions to the State Engineer, as well as the Transportation and Environment and Energy agencies, might have been the critical stopping measures that prevented some of these areas from going on the chopping block and gaining public momentum for permanent protection. These actions may explain my NWF annual award, my Vanity Fair ‘environmental hero’ designation, my NET ten-year achievement award, and other environmental awards in-state and nationally.”

National Forest Roadless Areas [click here to read question twenty-three]

“I supported protection of every NM roadless acre – and more. My roadless petition actually added acreage (the Valle Vidal) – which opponents called strategic and ingenious. I opposed the Administration’s policies vocally and nationally, holding press conferences, joining lawsuits, etc. When I filed a state petition, I got the NM Legislature to fund resources so it could be done thoroughly and with good followup, and the committee embraced our actions even though the +USDA leadership had both stiff-armed us (for funding and protection) while working in concert with compliant states such as Idaho and Utah. I support the original roadless rule from 200 in its entirety. And I will fight for it in court, in Congress, and in the states. I think it’s a good example of a policy the people really like, and that the Administration had a 1970’s perspective on.”

Mining [click here to read question twenty-four]

“This law is 135 years old and needs revision.”