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The Friends of the Bosque del Apache issued a statement regarding the impact of federal layoffs on the Bosque del Apache (BdA), highlighting concerns about the effects on the local economy, wildlife and community events.
“The budgetary and staffing reductions put at risk the positive economic impact created by BdA in Socorro County of roughly $17M, including local jobs, hotel stays, gas, stores, restaurants and cafes, etc. as noted in the May 2019 Banking on Nature report by US Fish and Wildlife Service.The report also states that there were 306,000 recreational visits to Bosque del Apache in 2017 and total expenditures from these visits totaled $15.8 million, with nonresidents accounting for $15.5 million or 98% of all expenditures,” said the statement.
They said the impact of Bosque del Apache’s annual Festival of the Cranes alone on the local economy has been as high as $3 million.
The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, 100 miles south of Albuquerque in San Antonio, manages 57,331 acres and provides a stopover site for migrating waterfowl—tens of thousands of cranes, geese, and ducks winter there each year.
The refuge was established in 1939 and currently attracts an estimated 200,000 visitors each year. Visitors come to enjoy the birds, wildlife and natural beauty. Common recreational activities include hiking, photography, bird watching, attending events and workshops and some hunting and fishing.
The Friends of the Bosque statement outlines several potential impacts of terminating more staff positions. These include:
- Closure of certain refuge trails and driving loops due to a lack of maintenance staff, which would limit public access.
- Overgrowth of invasive plants on fields and trails, rendering them unusable and harming wildlife habitats, which impacts food availability for migratory birds and increases health risks due to overcrowding.
- Reduced Visitor Center staffing leads to decreased services, less public access, and unclean rest rooms.
- A decline in wildlife protection would heighten risks such as poaching, along with cuts to environmental education programs.
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- The possibility of canceling events like the Festival of the Cranes due to insufficient staff support, negatively affecting the local economy.
- Diminished research partnerships because of limited access to trails and reduced summer internships.
- A negative impact on innovative projects aimed at addressing environmental challenges.
“Up to this point, services have been maintained and some of the essential damages of decreased funding have been handled with the support of the Friends. For example, the group covered costs for much needed well and equipment maintenance and the projects described above that are working toward solving water and pollinator problems. However, fully mitigating the extensive impact of staffing and budget cuts is beyond what the group can manage.” The statement said.
A request for comments were made by the EDC to Refuge manager Mike Brady he did not respond before deadline.
