103

INTRODUCTION

Background

This chapter contains analyses of the physical,

biological, cultural, and economic impacts of

implementing any of the three alternatives of El

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro NHT

Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP). Both

adverse and beneficial consequences resulting

from the alternatives are considered. Mitigating

measures designed to avoid or reduce environmental consequences have been incorporated

into the alternatives.

Several types of impacts resulting from continuing management guidance, as well as planned

actions, have been considered in this chapter.

Direct impacts occur at the same time and place

as the actions. Indirect impacts may occur later

in time or farther in distance from the proposed

actions. Irreversible and Irretrievable

Commitment of Resources/Impairment must be

considered for actions that either deplete a

nonrenewable resource or disturb another

resource to the point that it cannot be renewed

within 100 years. The Relationship between

Short-Term and Long-Term Productivity analyzes: (1) short-term day-to-day, or even yearto-year, activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and photography. Short-term actions

include management activities designed to permit, encourage, or discourage certain activities;

(2) long-term productivity referring to the

land’s continuing ability to produce commodities, such as wildlife and plant products, as well

as amenities such as scenery and recreation

opportunities, for future generations. This ability depends on management practices and uses

that do not impair resources to the extent that

they are no longer capable of providing the

resource commodities or opportunities.

Cumulative Impacts are additive impacts to a

particular resource, regardless of landownership, from the past, present, and reasonably

foreseeable future. Where appropriate, impacts

are evaluated for a study corridor that extends

approximately five miles on either side of the

defined trail route, including duplicate and

variant routes. 

Only the major impacts that would vary by issue

or resource use are analyzed. Impacts that

would not occur or would be negligible are not

discussed. The following critical elements

would not be affected: floodplains, prime and

unique farmlands, hazardous and solid waste,

wilderness, and wild and scenic rivers. Air quality would be minimally affected over the shortterm and is therefore not included. Impacts on

the fire management program are not

addressed; due to generally sparse and lowgrowing vegetation near the trail and the nature

of the actions proposed by any of the alternatives, this program would not be affected.

Assumptions for Analysis

In this document, impacts referred to as longterm are those that would occur over a 5- to

20-year period; while short-term impacts are

those that would occur within a 5-year period

following plan implementation. The life of the

CMP is expected to be 20 years; the plan would

be periodically reviewed to determine if goals

and objectives are being met.

Analysis of the alternatives is based on the

assumption that adequate finances and personnel would be available to implement plan decisions.

The unavoidable impacts would be monitored

and continually evaluated during the life of this

plan. Based on the monitoring and evaluation,

actions would be adjusted to minimize impacts.

Chapter 4

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES
104 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

There would be increases in visitor use on

BLM-administered lands and other federal or

state-managed lands, and at private facilities

along the trail, regardless of any actions taken as

a result of this planning effort, due to ongoing

state, local, and private tourism promotion

efforts.

Off-highway-vehicle designations on BLMadministered lands associated with the trail

would be revisited according to the following

planning schedule:

1. Las Cruces Field Office - RMP revision,

beginning in 2004.

2. Socorro Field Office - RMP revision, initiated in 2002.

3. Taos Field Office - La Cienega/Buckman

area plan amendments and route designations, beginning in 2003.

Site-specific impacts associated with the development or improvement of facilities will not be

addressed in detail in this document. Prior to

their implementation, these activities will

require site-specific analysis and a detailed

summary of the potential effects.

Threatened and Endangered (T&E) Species:

Under all alternatives, other than placement of

interpretive or directional signing along roads,

there are no surface-disturbing actions proposed in Río Arriba, Santa Fe, Bernalillo, and

Valencia counties in New Mexico and El Paso

County in Texas. As a result, there would be no

impact to Threatened and Endangered species

in these counties.

Actions will not be allowed to occur where they

will adversely affect T&E or other special-status species or their habitats. To help protect

special-status species, a National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document

will be prepared prior to any site-specific action

being permitted. The NEPA process will include

identifying any such species in or near the area

of activity; adjusting the project design, size, or

location; applying appropriate stipulations (e.g.,

timing); or not authorizing the action.

In the event of any site-specific development

associated with this plan, the Bureau of Land

Management, the National Park Service, or

other local managers would contact the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service to initiate Section 7

consultation under the Endangered Species Act

of 1973 if a “May Affect” determination on a

species has been made. Potential adverse effects

on listed and proposed species would be eliminated or reduced in compliance with the provisions of the act. Mitigation of adverse impacts

might include relocating or redesigning sites

and monitoring the effects of trail use. If necessary, trail use could be limited seasonally, the

number of users could be restricted, a reservation system could be established for very popular sites, or other strategies could be developed

to limit negative impacts.

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

North American Indians

The impacts from both Alternatives B and the

Preferred Alternative may have a neutral or

positive impact upon the North American

Indian tribes associated with El Camino Real. 

During implementation of the Preferred

Alternative, additional consultation with affected tribes may lead to positive impacts by providing them with the opportunity to present

their stories from the tribal point of view in

exhibits and documents. Tribes that participate

in the voluntary certification of sites and segments would be eligible for technical assistance

and challenge cost-share monies for preservation, interpretive exhibits, and signage.

Where developments take place (roadside pullouts and interpretive wayside exhibits as proposed in the Preferred Alternative, a site-specific analysis would take place to ensure that

resources are not disturbed, or if resources

would be impacted, proposed mitigation measures would take place in consultation with the

tribes.
Preferred Alternative 105

Tribal consultation will be ongoing throughout

the development and management of El Camino

Real facilities, and any concerns identified by

tribes will be taken into consideration. The

goals of such consultation will be to avoid or

mitigate any impacts or effects that may be

identified.

Cultural Resources (Archeological/Historical)

The Preferred Alternative places a stronger

emphasis on interpretation and education, and

includes on-site interpretation at several locations. Awareness and appreciation of archeological and historical resources related to El

Camino Real would be maximized under this

alternative. There would be a concerted effort

to collect new information about the trail, and

to generate more detailed and accurate inventories and maps of trail segments and archeological sites associated with the trail. Although,

under this alternative, visitor use could increase

in the Jornada del Muerto from 900 to 5,500

visits annually, and at the Teypama site from

200 to 400 visits annually, the educational

efforts should dramatically reduce potential for

inadvertent destruction of trail-related

resources. High-potential sites and segments on

public lands would receive proactive management, including closure of areas where their

physical integrity is threatened. Protection

would be extended to sites on non-federal

lands through active, voluntary partnerships.

Increased public awareness inevitably increases

potential for illegal collection of artifacts along

portions of the trail that are publicly accessible.

This would be partially offset by a site stewardship program, which provides for increased

monitoring and patrolling of high-potential

sites and segments. The Preferred Alternative

also would include on-site interpretation at

specific locations along El Camino Real de

Tierra Adentro. (See Chapter 2, Preferred

Alternative, Visitor Experience, Recreation).

On-site interpretation brings increased potential for physical damage to trail segments and

loss of artifacts through illegal collection.

Specific measures to mitigate these potential

effects would be incorporated into project

planning for these on-site interpretive facilities;

compliance with applicable federal and state

laws will be completed as appropriate for each

project.

Energy and Minerals

Areas with no change in VRM class: Existing

mineral leases and mineral material contracts

would continue to be managed under existing

terms and conditions and management plans.

New leasing and lease development and new

contracts from BLM mineral material sites

would be subject to existing management plans

and site-specific environmental assessments.

Prospecting and mining claim location would

continue to be allowed in areas open to the

Mining Law and closed in withdrawn areas.

Existing and new surface disturbance under the

Mining Law would continue to be regulated by

the BLM’s surface management regulations (43

CFR 3809) and/or the New Mexico Mining Act

rules. Use and Occupancy under the Mining

Law regulations (43 CFR 3715) would be

enforced to prevent mining or other activities

conducted under the pretense of the Mining

Law, that are not authorized under the Mining

Law.

Areas designated VRM Class II: Existing mineral leases that fall within areas designated VRM

Class II would continue to be managed under

the lease terms and conditions and management

plans that existed at the time of issuance.

Petroglyph on El Camino Real.
106 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Existing standard lease terms may be sufficient

to achieve the VRM Class II objective, with

allowances for the relocation of a proposed

drilling location of up to 200 meters and the

prohibition of drilling activities for up to 60

days in any lease year. Since detailed information on the resource potential of the areas

affected by VRM Class II guidelines is not

known, the potential effects on economic activity in the area or on the government in terms of

lost royalty income cannot be estimated at this

time. Any loss from resource production

(assuming that there are resources present that

can be economically produced in the restricted

area) would be offset to some degree by

induced increases in economic activity brought

about by implementation of an action alternative. The economic benefits of the Preferred

Alternative would continue indefinitely and may

serve as the base of other tourist- and recreation-based business activities in the future,

while the benefits from resource production

would cease when the resource is exhausted. In

addition, any resources present in the restricted

area would remain in place, and potentially

available at some future time.

New leases within a designated VRM Class II

area would include a stipulation requiring that

lease operations be designed to conform to the

VRM Class II objectives, allowing restrictions

on lease development beyond the standard lease

terms. Restrictions on lease development could

result in an operator not drilling at the most

geologically desirable location or during the

most desirable time period. If the operator is

not able or willing to conform to the restrictions, drilling could be precluded. The areas

affected by VRM Class II guidelines are considered to have low potential for the discovery of

economic oil and gas deposits.

Existing mineral material contracts that fall

within areas designated VRM Class II would

continue to be managed under the contract

lease terms and conditions and management

plans that existed at the time of issuance. The

issuance of new contracts would be at the discretion of the BLM, provided that the mining

conformed to the management objectives of

VRM Class II or BLM could eliminate the visual

intrusion entirely by reclaiming the site after the

expiration of any outstanding contracts.

Discontinuing the issuance of mineral material

contracts could force those desiring to obtain

the materials to go to another less desirable or

more expensive source.

A VRM Class II designation would not affect

the status of existing mining claims or prohibit

future prospecting and mining claim location

under the Mining Law. An existing approved

plan or notice for operations under the Mining

Law (43 CFR 3809) would not be affected by the

new VRM Class. However, any new surfacedisturbance activities could be affected by the

VRM Class II designation. BLM could require

operators, under 43 CFR 3809, to conduct

operations to meet the VRM Class II management objective. It is possible that an operator

could not meet the VRM Class II management

objective. However, failure to meet the objective

could not be used to prohibit operations under

the Mining Law. Imposition of the additional

requirements to meet (or attempt to meet) the

VRM Class II management objective could add

additional costs to a mining operation. Use and

Occupancy under the Mining Law regulations

(43 CFR 3715) would be enforced to prevent

mining or other activities conducted under the

pretense of the Mining Law, that are not

authorized under the Mining Law.

Federal Mineral Authorizations and Activities

Near BLM-Proposed Projects - Existing federal mineral resource activities within the proposed VRM Class II area in Jornada del Muerto

(T13S to T19S) are given in Table 12. There are

no existing federal mineral activities within

Santa Fe River canyon area proposed for management under VRM Class II guidelines. The

inactive, reclaimed La Bajada uranium mine lies

within the canyon at T15N R7E Section 9.
Preferred Alternative 107

Livestock-grazing

Under the Preferred Alternative, the existing

livestock-grazing operations on public lands

would continue with no reductions and limited

additional restrictions. The greatest impacts

would occur in Jornada del Muerto area of the

Las Cruces Field Office. New range improvements proposed on portions of the Las Cruces

Field Office section of the trail would have to

meet VRM Class II guidelines. Any new range

improvement/construction projects in this area

would need to be mitigated to meet visual

guidelines, although no range improvement

projects have been identified for these areas.

The Preferred Alternative would provide for

increased interpretation and information near

Jornada del Muerto section of the trail. The

additional interpretation is expected to stimulate additional interest in visiting the public

lands on Jornada del Muerto section. The

increased recreational use of the public lands

would provide the greatest impact to the livestock-grazing operations. The occasional public-land visitor seeking assistance from the

rancher would continue to increase due to the

increased publicity about the trail. Additionally,

damage to rangeland improvements from vandalism would continue to occur from time to

time, but at an increased level due to the

increased visitor use. The actual impact from

the increased visitor use is not expected to

affect the viability of the ranching operations,

but it could provide an additional nuisance factor. 

Land and Realty Uses

Changes in VRM class from Class III and IV to

Class II in those areas of the trail that are designated as high-potential sites and segments

would impact land uses in those areas (See

Appendix H for a description of the VRM classification system). For the sites within Jornada

del Muerto and Santa Fe River canyon areas,

new rights-of-way and lands uses would be

allowed only if they did not deviate from the

basic elements of the predominant landscape.

Uses would not be silhouetted against the skyline, and new power line or pipeline rights-ofway may need to be buried. Communication

towers and buildings may need to be painted

with approved colors in these areas.

Maintenance of existing rights-of-way would

need prior approval of the field office. An

exchange with the State of New Mexico may

enhance protection of the trail north of the Yost

Escarpment site. The BLM and the State Land

Office have completed several exchanges in the

last few years and have some ongoing

exchanges. Therefore, a state exchange in this

area could proceed relatively quickly if both

parties agreed. Additional visitors to the desigMineral Material Site

Mineral Material Site 

Mining Claims 

Mineral Material Site

T19S R2W S4

T18S R2W S3

T17S R2W S23, 24, 25, 26

T16S R2W S12

3 miles W of I-25 Upham pull-off

2 miles SW of Paraje del Perrillo pull-off

Adjacent to Paraje del Perrillo pull-off

Adjacent to Yost Escarpment pull-off

The inactive Tonuco Mountain fluorite mine is two miles south of the San Diego pull-off site

(T19S R1 W Section 19).

Table 12: 

Existing Federal Mineral Activities in Relation to Proposed Development

Activity/

Authorization Location

Relative to 

Proposed Development
108 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

nated sites would increase traffic in the area and

could cause some impacts to existing rights-ofway. More people in the area may cause damage

to existing facilities. auto tour routes could

result in increased deterioration of local streets

and roads. Acquisition of private land within the

Santa Fe River corridor would be a priority.

Recreation

Developing, marking, and interpreting an auto

tour route would contribute to increased public

awareness of the NHT. Visitors would benefit

from this opportunity to follow the approximate trail route, and to visit related resources

and interpretive facilities. Visitor use on BLMadministered lands could increase in Jornada

del Muerto from 900 to 5,500 visits annually,

and at the Teypama site from 200 to 400 visits

annually. Visitor use at privately developed sites

or facilities would be expected to increase in

response to educational efforts and increased

publicity for the trail.

Additional opportunities to experience the trail

corridor through recreation on BLM-managed

lands would increase visitor enjoyment of the

NHT. The ability to drive or hike in the trail

corridor, to receive interpretive messages onsite, and to see trail-related cultural, natural,

and landscape resources would be beneficial

and would result in memorable experiences.

Although no immediate threats have been identified or closures recommended at this time,

future off-highway-vehicle opportunities on

public lands could be restricted in the immediate vicinity of historic or cultural sites for

resource protection.

Visitor Experience/Information 

and Education

A coordinated, collaborative program of trailrelated interpretive and educational programs,

media, and activities, along with trail promotion, would increase visitor use along the NHT,

and would foster visitor appreciation of trail

history and significance. Visitors would be

offered a range of ways to experience the trailmeeting their level of interest and learning

styles.

Certification of sites, segments, and interpretive

facilities would benefit the visitor experience

through the increased identification, interpretation, and use of trail-related resources.

Standards of quality reached through the certification process would contribute to the development of accurate and consistent media and

programming, and would increase visitor

enjoyment and understanding of the trail’s history and significance.

Development of an interpretive plan would

assist Camino Real Administration and partners

to present a cohesive, integrated interpretive

and educational program, and would result in

public understanding and appreciation for the

trail.

Scenery

This alternative would focus on protecting onthe-ground trail resources that best illustrate

the trail’s significance (high-potential historicsites and segments) and trail-related interpretive/educational programming and activities. To

protect and prevent inappropriate visual intrusions, restrictive visual resource management

(VRM) objectives would be assigned to public

lands within the critical foreground/middleground viewshed or landscape component

along trail segments and around sites (roughly

five miles to either side of the trail segments or

sites, as shown in Maps 4A-C; the VRM classification system is explained in Appendix H).

With more restrictive visual resource management objectives, activities would be limited to

those that would not attract attention and the

level of change to the characteristic landscape

would be low. This would result in amendments

of the Mimbres and White Sands RMPs for

97,873 acres of existing VRM Class IV public

land in Jornada del Muerto to a more restrictive

VRM Class II in the vicinity of high-potential

historic segments and around high-potential

historic sites within the Las Cruces Field Office.

It would also result in the amendment of 903
Preferred Alternative 109

acres of VRM Class III public lands in the vicinity of high-potential historic trail segments and

around high-potential historic sites to the more

restrictive VRM Class II in the Las Cruces Field

Office.

The Taos Resource Management Plan would be

amended by assigning VRM Class II to 998

acres of previously unassigned public lands

within the foreground/middle-ground viewshed along 0.3 mile of high-potential historic

trail segments and extending through the Santa

Fe River canyon. Assignment of Class II VRM

management objectives on public lands would

assist in preserving the scenery along highpotential historic trail segments and near highpotential historic sites through objectives that

are set to retain the existing characteristic landscape and prevent inappropriate visual intrusions.

Socioeconomics/Social Values/

Environmental Justice

The Preferred Alternative would provide for the

protection of trail resources and existing recreational and interpretive facilities through new

and on-going activities. Trail resources on federal land would be protected; those on private

land would be certified. In addition, resources

on federal lands would be identified and interpreted by displays and activities or educational

opportunities. Resources on state or private

lands would be encouraged to also provide

interpretation and educational facilities. This

alternative would encourage resource preservation through tax agreements (taxing land preserved as open space at a lower rate) and would

provide for challenge cost-share programs of

up to 50% federal cost sharing for project

implementation. The alternative also includes a

number of other features to promote public

awareness and interest.

El Camino Real NHT yearly budget, at the optimum and at full operation, under this alternative would be $475,000 for administration and

related activities, including challenge cost-share

funding. In addition, the state/local challenge

cost-share program 50% match would result in

another $60,000 yearly in government expenditures, for at total of $535,000 expended yearly

by all levels of government for identified

administration and implementation activities.

This expenditure can be expected to generate a

net benefit of $1,190,000 in combined sales, 36

new jobs, and approximately $92,820 in

increased tax revenues in the ESA per year.

Note that this estimate of benefits is conservative and incomplete for the reasons discussed

below.

Implementation of the Preferred Alternative can

be expected to generate some additional recreational travel and heritage tourism visits along

the route. After a lengthy period of growth, visitation rates for the ESA have been essentially

flat for the past several years, and this situation

is expected to continue for the foreseeable

future. Any new visits that would be generated

from implementation of the Preferred

Alternative would generate two beneficial

effects: Improved visitation and continuing viability of the individual trail sites; and increased

economic activity of the surrounding communities through increased visitor expenditures.

Currently, the best-documented expenditure

rate for tourist travel in New Mexico is $96.45

per day per person. At this point, it is not possible to quantify the number of additional visitors

or visitor days that might be generated by

implementation of the Preferred Alternative.

Two important points are stressed:

1. Visitor forecasts to existing and future

facilities, such as El Camino Real

International Heritage Center and others

located on federal, state, and local lands,

and on private property, are predicated in

part on implementation of an NHT action

alternative.

2. It has been the common experience of

other designated national historic tails

(such as Lewis & Clark, Oregon, Mormon

Pioneer, California, and Santa Fe) that

increases in visitation are directly related to

the quality of the public awareness and

promotional programs that are conducted

for them. Special events, in particular,
110 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

greatly improve visitation rates. Therefore,

for this analysis, it is too speculative to

assume a figure for increased visitation

resulting directly from the implementation

of the Preferred Alternative, but it is recognized that such an increase would occur,

and generate additional, but presently

unquantified, economic benefits beyond

those resulting from direct government

expenditures. These benefits are expected

to begin immediately upon plan implementation, and continue for the indefinite

future.

Implementation of the Preferred Alternative

would result in unquantified social benefits in

the ESA. The economic improvements and

additional service and hospitality-industry jobs

generated by increased visits would enhance the

economic stability of communities in the ESA,

especially those with higher rates of unemployment. Other benefits would include improved

governmental services resulting from increased

tax revenues, and avoidance of future social

costs that might otherwise result from continued economic problems. Low-moderateincome families and individuals, at-risk youth,

and the Hispanic and North American Indian

communities may be expected to find new

employment in the service sector.

Proportionately, the greatest improvements can

be expected in the poorer counties of New

Mexico, and to a lesser extent in El Paso County

and the Mexican “gateway communities.” This

alternative would not directly impact North

American Indian reservation lands, but North

American Indians could generally benefit from

induced economic activity from increased visitation.

Finally, the Preferred Alternative would add to

the effectiveness of ongoing BLM and NPS

international outreach efforts, such as Habitat

Chat, Sister Communities, and the ongoing

cooperative agreements between the NPS,

BLM, and INAH. This would help these programs to achieve objectives of the enhancement

and sustainable management of natural

resources, maximum efficiency in use of fiscal

resources, and coordination of cross-border

activities, along with improved information

sharing and relationship development.

Implementation of the Preferred Alternative

may result in unquantified adverse impacts to

state and local tax revenues. These would occur

if private lands are purchased as part of the plan

and thus removed from the tax rolls, or if

agreements are made with private landowners

to preserve sites by reducing taxes to openspace values. This marginal loss of revenue

could negatively impact delivery of government

services to an unknown degree. However, this

loss may be more than offset by gains in tax revenues associated with increased economic

activity stimulated by the alternative. The magnitude of such gain or loss is unknown at this

time.

Vegetation/Noxious Weeds/Soils/Water/Air

Although visitor use under the Preferred

Alternative could increase in Jornada del

Muerto from 900 to 5,500 visits annually and at

the Teypama site from 200 to 400 visits annually, damage to soils and vegetation is expected to

be minimal, and be mitigated by proper design

of trails and pullouts. The change in visual classification is not expected to be a barrier to vegetation management activities on public lands.

Soils would be disturbed on approximately 0.4

acres where the pullout parking areas are constructed and interpretive signs placed near the

Upham Exit, the Paraje de San Diego, the Ojo

de Perrillo/Point of Rocks, and the Yost

Escarpment. An additional 0.5 acres would be

disturbed if a companion trail were constructed

in this area. Efforts to rehabilitate vegetation

and control vehicle traffic and parking at the

Teypama site near Socorro would result in

improved conditions on 0.2 acres of public land. 

A biological evaluation was prepared, and it

noted that there was no potential habitat in the

project area for federally listed threatened and

endangered plants. There is potential habitat in

this area for four special-status plant species:

Peniocereus greggii var. greggii; Escoberia duncanii; Penstemon ramosus; and Toumeya

papyracantha. Site-specific inventory and environmental assessment would be conducted

prior to any construction activity to ensure protection of these species.
Preferred Alternative 111

Given the small area of disturbance and the

mandatory application of site-specific bestmanagement practices to protect water quality,

there would be no net impact to surface-water

or ground-water resources as a result of implementing the Preferred Alternative. 

Designation and development of the auto tour

route would result in increased vehicular traffic

along unpaved, county-maintained roads,

which may impact water and air quality. The

increased vehicular traffic could result in

increased airborne PM10 particulate matter

(dust), especially during dry periods. The construction of pullout parking areas and hiking

trails would remove vegetation and expose soils

for a brief period of time, and so impact air and

water quality for a brief time. These areas will

be covered with gravel at the completion of the

construction, and therefore will not contribute

to long-term airborne PM10 levels in the areas.

Water quality issues may be addressed with

pavement, drainage control practices, timely

revegetation of disturbed areas, or other best

management practices, as appropriate. Dust

abatement measures will be developed for the

unpaved county-maintained roads if PM10 particulate matter levels become problematic.

Wildlife

Under this alternative, a few sites along Jornada

del Muerto desert passage would be developed

for public use. Disturbance to wildlife would be

short term during construction, with most

wildlife species expected to reoccupy nearby

habitat after construction activities are completed. Miscellaneous dispersed recreational

activity within the planning area, such as camping, climbing, hiking, and biking would result in

site-specific short-term negative impacts on the

microbiological, small mammal, and avian components of the localized fauna. Proposed projects under this alternative that would cause

short-term negative impacts to wildlife are

those projects that propose the development of

pullout parking areas; development of trail segments; development of a companion trail; and

development of an auto tour route.

Approximately 0.9 acres would potentially be

disturbed in Jornada del Muerto area. There

would be no adverse impacts to federally listed

threatened and endangered or special -status

wildlife species in the areas proposed for recreational development; a biological evaluation was

prepared, and it noted that the locations of the

proposed project sites did not possess the habitat required for the listed species. 

Future potential habitat-improvement projects

in Jornada del Muerto and Santa Fe River

canyon areas would be evaluated to determine

whether they conform with VRM Class II

objectives. VRM Class II management guidelines for an additional 98,776 acres within

Jornada del Muerto and 998 acres in the Santa

Fe River canyon could restrict placement or

design of habitat improvement projects; however, no habitat improvement projects have been

identified for these areas. There is potential for

restoration of natural water features and native

vegetation within the affected portion of the

Santa Fe River canyon, which would improve

habitat and scenic values over the long term.

Cumulative Impacts

Implementation of the Preferred Alternative is

integral to the cumulative visits and economic

activity of all trail resource sites along the route.

Improvements at any single site or combination

of sites would likewise affect activity elsewhere

along the trail. Already mentioned is the nearly

completed International Heritage Center, which

would add cumulatively to the benefits of the

trail along its route. Other certified sites would

add to the trail’s overall socioeconomic viability.

The benefits of implementing the Preferred

Alternative to the local and regional economy

would include improvements in both permanent and temporary employment opportunities

and revenues as the planned maintenance and

improvement of existing facilities and programs

are implemented. The more active and intense

development program under the Preferred

Alternative, with its associated higher expenditure and visitation levels, would yield greater

benefits than under Alternatives A and B. These

benefits would be both local and regional in
112 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

nature, and would also be international, with

enhanced employment opportunities along the

Mexican border and southward in the Mexican

State of Chihuahua.

As a result of increased and sustained public

visitation to cultural resources, which were previously relatively unknown, certain impacts can

be anticipated. At each of the historical and

archeological properties opened for public visitation, public educational materials in

brochures and signage would emphasize the

need to leave any observed surficial artifacts in

place. Programs designed to mitigate the

adverse effects of public visitation would be

carried out before the properties are opened

and promoted for visitation. Such mitigation

measures would include programs of mapping,

surface collection and analysis of a sample of

surface artifacts, and sampling and dating of

features. Despite planned educational programs

with a conservation message, it is anticipated

that the surface assemblage of artifacts would

eventually be lost at publicly interpreted sites.

Certainly, any attractive artifacts, such as polychrome ceramics, would disappear. However,

the sampling of the sites would result in the

analysis and curation of a representative sample

of this surface collection. 

The presence of public visitors at historical and

archeological sites at periodic, irregular intervals discourages illegal vandalism and digging.

Although the surface artifacts may eventually

disappear, illegal excavations all but cease at

publicly interpreted sites. One benefit from the

Preferred Alternative, therefore, would be the

preservation of the subsurface components of

specific locations along the trail.

With the enhanced programs of outreach and

education associated with the Preferred

Alternative, interest in the trail and its related

sites would be stimulated in the local communities. The number of volunteers joining local

chapters of the New Mexico Site Steward program is expected to increase significantly. As a

result, the number of trail-related sites that

would benefit from regular monitoring and

patrolling would increase from the inspection of

111 properties now within the Las Cruces and

Socorro field offices of the BLM to 300 within 5

years of implementation of the plan.

ALTERNATIVE A

North American Indians

There would be no impacts to North American

Indians under this alternative.

Cultural Resources (Archeological/Historical)

Under Alternative A, public awareness and

appreciation of archeological and historical

resources related to El Camino Real would

remain low. In the absence of a directed program of research, it is likely that some important

trail segments and trail-related archeological

sites would remain undiscovered. These circumstances increase the probability of inadvertent damage. However, visitor-related impacts

such as collection of artifacts and physical damage to trail segments would be lowest under this

alternative. Protection of trail segments and

trail-related archeological properties would

occur primarily through the National Historic

Preservation Act, and other laws that protect

cultural resources on federally owned lands. As

federally funded or approved projects are proposed, their potential impacts to cultural

resources, including El Camino Real, would be

considered. Protection would extend to nonfederal lands only if federal funds or approval

are required. 

Energy and Minerals

Existing mineral leases and mineral material

contracts would continue to be managed under

existing terms and conditions and management

plans. New leasing, lease development, and

contracts would be subject to existing management plans and site-specific environmental

assessments. Prospecting and mining claim

location would continue to be allowed in areas

open to the Mining Law and closed in with-
Alternative A 113

drawn areas. Existing and new surface disturbance under the Mining Law would continue to

be regulated by the surface management regulations (43 CFR 3809) and/or New Mexico

Mining Act rules. Use and Occupancy under the

Mining Law regulations (43 CFR 3715) would be

enforced to prevent mining or other activities

conducted under the pretense of the Mining

Law that are not authorized under the Mining

Law.

Livestock-grazing

Under Alternative A, the existing livestockgrazing operations on public lands would continue, with no reductions or additional restrictions. The occasional public-land visitor seeking assistance from the rancher would continue

to increase due to the increased publicity about

the trail. Additionally, damage to range-land

improvements from vandalism would continue

to occur from time to time, but at an increased

level to due increased visitor use.

Land and Realty Uses

Under Alternative A, there would be no change

in VRM guidelines, and present users of the

land would see very little effect on their ongoing

operations. Additional visitors to the designated

sites would increase traffic in the area and could

cause some impacts to existing rights-of-way.

Requests for new rights-of-way and land uses

would continue to be allowed on a case-bycase basis. New rights-of-way and land uses

would be subject to existing management plans

and site-specific environmental assessments.

Sale and exchange of public land would occur

only where designated in existing land use

plans. Some private and state land could be

acquired based on existing plans. Maintenance

of existing rights-of-way would continue as

necessary. Existing roads would continue to be

used without restrictions. Applications for new

rights-of-way and land uses in the vicinity of

the International Heritage Center would be

allowed only in conformance with the Socorro

Resource Management Plan Amendment for

the Heritage Center (2001).

Recreation

Visitors would not be offered recreational

experiences on the NHT. Current recreational

opportunities would continue to be provided,

but visitors would not have the opportunity to

engage in activities related to the trail. Visitor

use would depend on the level of publicity generated by off-site, private entities and activities.

Visitor use in Jornada del Muerto would not be

expected to exceed 1,500 annual visits under this

alternative, and use at the Teypama site would

probably not change from existing levels of use.

Visitor Experience/Information 

and Education

Visitors would not be offered experiences on El

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro NHT. Visitors

would continue to learn about and experience

the trail, but through diffused and uncoordinated methods. Some visitors would continue to be

confused about the location and availability of

visits to trail-related resources and sites. Other

visitors, particularly those from out of state or

other countries, would be adversely impacted

by the relative lack of trail orientation, information, and interpretation. Visitor understanding

of trail-related resources and sites may be

diminished by the loss of resources to neglect or

vandalism.

Scenery

This alternative would allow the continuation of

scenery management practices as established in

the current resource management plans along

trail segments and around sites associated with

the national historic trail. Scenery would continue to be managed under the various assigned

VRM class objectives. There would be no

change in classifications. Scenic values within

the corridor along 29.1 miles of trail on public

lands assigned VRM Class IV would be subject

to major modification of the character of the

landscape from activities that could dominate

the landscape and attract attention of the

observer or person wanting to experience the

setting that early travelers experienced. VRM
114 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Class III has been assigned to public lands along

12.5 miles of trail. In Class III lands, which have

moderately valued scenic resources, the landscape character would be partially retained

through management objectives prescribed for

these lands. On the 1.1 miles of trail within existing VRM Class II lands in the Las Cruces Field

Office, scenic values would be retained through

the management objectives prescribed for lands

within this class. On the remaining 16.9 miles of

trail on public lands within the boundaries of

the Taos Field Office, no VRM classification has

been assigned. Here, scenic values would be

considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Socioeconomics/Social Values/

Environmental Justice

Under Alternative A, the no action alternative,

current management activities of the various

federal, state, and local agencies, private

landowners, and other entities would continue.

Since the no-action alternative would provide

for a continuation of existing conditions along

the route of the NHT, it is expected that the

current “baseline” socioeconomic effects and

benefits to the local and regional economy

would continue. There would be no planned

change in direct government employment or in

related private-sector employment serving visitors or other service sectors. In addition, there

would be no additional revenue generated from

increased visitor spending beyond that already

anticipated in the baseline. No additional social

or economic benefits to area residents would be

realized. 

Under Alternative A, there would continue to

be very limited opportunities for coordination

or enhanced interpretation or recreational

opportunities. Existing activities and operations

would continue, and visitors would continue to

travel the current routes and visit existing sites.

New related developments, such as El Camino

Real International Heritage Center, would be

completed as planned. Implementation of the

Sister Communities Program, Habitat Chat, and

the ongoing cooperative agreements between

the NPS, BLM, and INAH would continue. The

socioeconomic benefits resulting from these

already-planned projects have been accounted

for in the baseline. 

Vegetation/Noxious Weeds/Soils/Water/Air

Alternative A is a continuation of the existing

situation and should provide for little change in

the vegetation of the trail zone. However, with

the increase in visibility of the trail and opportunities for vehicle travel down the trail with

4x4s, 4-wheelers, and motorcycles, damage to

soils and vegetation may occur at some locations. There would be no measurable impacts to

surface-water or ground-water resources.

Wildlife

Modification of wildlife habitat is not proposed

under this alternative; therefore, there would be

no impacts to wildlife.

Cumulative Impacts

Implementation of Alternative A would result in

no change from the current situation along El

Camino Real. The existing situation of uncoordinated recreational, interpretive, and access

improvements would continue, with minor

improvements in temporary employment

opportunities and revenues as the currently

planned development of El Camino Real visitor-serving facilities takes place.

ALTERNATIVE B

North American Indians

The impacts from both Alternatives B and the

Preferred Alternative may have a neutral or

positive impact upon the North American

Indian tribes associated with El Camino Real. 

During implementation of the Preferred

Alternative, additional consultation with affected tribes may lead to positive impacts by providing them with the opportunity to present

their stories from the tribal point of view in

exhibits and documents. Tribes that participate

in the voluntary certification of sites and segments would be eligible for technical assistance
Alternative B 115

and challenge cost-share monies for preservation, interpretive exhibits, and signage.

Where developments take place (roadside pullouts and interpretive wayside exhibits as proposed in the Preferred Alternative), a site-specific analysis would take place to ensure that

resources are not disturbed, or if resources

would be impacted, mitigation measures would

take place in consultation with the tribes.

Tribal consultation will be ongoing throughout

the development and management of El Camino

Real facilities, and any concerns identified by

tribes will be taken into consideration. The

goals of such consultation will be to avoid or

mitigate any impacts or effects that may be

identified.

Cultural Resources (Archeological/Historical)

Alternative B emphasizes off-site interpretation

of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. Under

this alternative, public awareness and appreciation of archeological and historical resources

related to El Camino Real would increase, and

there would be a concerted effort to collect new

information about the trail and to generate

increasingly accurate and detailed inventories

and maps of trail segments and archeological

sites associated with the trail. These measures

would reduce potential for inadvertent destruction of trail segments and sites related to the

trail. Alternative B emphasizes protection of

trail resources. In addition to the consideration

given to all cultural resources under current

federal laws, regulations, and policies, highpotential historic sites and segments would

receive particular emphasis and would be subject to more proactive protective measures, such

as closure to off-road vehicles where threats to

the integrity of the resource develop, and monitoring. Protection would be extended to sites on

non-federal lands through active, voluntary

partnerships.

Increased public awareness inevitably increases

potential for illegal collection of artifacts along

portions of the trail that are publicly accessible.

Under Alternative B, this would be partially offset by increased monitoring.

Energy and Minerals

Existing mineral leases and mineral material

contracts would continue to be managed under

existing terms and conditions and management

plans. New leasing, lease development, and new

contracts would be subject to existing management plans and site-specific environmental

assessments. Prospecting and mining claim

location would continue to be allowed in areas

open to the Mining Law and closed in withdrawn areas. Existing and new surface disturbance under the Mining Law would continue to

be regulated by the surface management regulations (43 CFR 3809) and/or the New Mexico

Mining Act rules. Use and Occupancy under the

Mining Law regulations (43 CFR 3715) would be

enforced to prevent mining or other activities

conducted under the pretense of the Mining

Law that are not authorized under the Mining

Law.

Livestock-grazing

Under Alternative B, the existing livestockgrazing operations on public lands would continue, with no reductions or additional restrictions. The occasional public-land visitor seeking assistance from the rancher would continue

to increase due to the increased publicity about

the trail. Additionally, damage to range-land

improvements from vandalism would continue

to occur from time to time but at an increased

level to due increased visitor use.

Land and Realty Uses

Effects on Land and Realty Uses under

Alternative B would be similar to Alternative A.

However, the identification and protection of

trail resources on public land would increase

pressure on other land uses. In areas designated

as auto -tour routes, increased traffic on city,

county, and state streets and roads could

potentially increase road maintenance requirements. Requests for new rights-of-way and

land uses would be allowed only in areas that

did not conflict with identified trail resources,

and special stipulations might be necessary to

protect trail resources.
116 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

Recreation

Developing, marking, and interpreting an auto

tour route would contribute to increased public

awareness of the NHT. Visitors would benefit

from this opportunity to follow the approximate trail route, and to visit related resources

and interpretive facilities. Visitor use in Jornada

del Muerto would not be expected to exceed

1,500 annual visits under this alternative, and use

at the Teypama site would probably not change

from existing levels of use.

Although no immediate threats have been identified or closures recommended at this time,

future off-highway-vehicle opportunities on

public lands could be restricted in the immediate vicinity of historic or cultural sites for

resource protection.

Visitor Experience/Information 

and Education

The development of a coordinated interpretive

and educational program emphasizing resource

protection on the NHT would benefit visitors,

increasing their awareness of resource values

and threats. Visitors would understand how

their individual actions contribute to resource

protection. In some cases, visitors may be disappointed by the lack of a comprehensive, trailwide interpretive and education overview, or by

the relative inability to have experiences in the

trail corridor.

Certification of sites, segments, and interpretive

facilities would benefit the visitor experience

through the increased identification, interpretation, and use of trail-related resources.

Standards of quality reached through the certification process would contribute to the development of accurate and consistent media and

programming, and would increase visitor

enjoyment and understanding of the trail’s history and significance.

Development of an interpretive plan would

assist Camino Real Administration and partners

in presenting a cohesive, integrated interpretive

and educational program, and would result in

increased public understanding and appreciation for the trail.

Scenery

As in Alternative A, there would be no change in

VRM classifications. Scenic values within the

vicinity of the trail would continue to be managed under the objectives of the various

assigned VRM classes within the Socorro and

Las Cruces field offices. Impacts to scenic values on public lands within the Taos Field Office

would continue to be assessed on a case-bycase basis, because no VRM classes have been

assigned through a resource management plan

for those lands within the vicinity of the trail.

Continued development and human activities

on public lands along trail segments and around

sites within the three field offices may lead to

the loss of historic landscape characteristics and

scenery.

Socioeconomics/Social Values/

Environmental Justice

Alternative B would provide for the protection

of trail resources and existing recreational and

interpretive facilities through new and on-going

activities. Trail resources on federal land would

be protected; those on private land would be

certified. In addition, resources on federal lands

would be identified and interpreted by displays

and activities or educational opportunities.

Resources on state or private lands would also

be encouraged to provide interpretation and

educational facilities. This alternative would

encourage resource preservation through tax

agreements (taxing land preserved as open

space at a lower rate) and would provide for

challenge cost-share programs of up to 50%

federal cost sharing for project implementation.

The alternative also includes a number of other

features to promote public awareness and

interest.

The NHT’s yearly budget under Alternative B is

anticipated to be $475,000 for administration

and related activities, including challenge costshare program projects. In addition, the

state/local challenge cost-share program 50%

match would result in another $60,000 yearly in

government expenditures, for a total of

$535,000 expended yearly by all levels of government for identified administration and
Alternative B 117

implementation activities. This expenditure can

be expected to generate a net benefit of

$1,190,000 in combined sales, 36 new jobs, and

approximately $92,820 in increased tax revenues in the ESA per year. Note that this estimate of benefits is very conservative and

incomplete for the reasons discussed below.

Implementation of Alternative B can be expected to generate some additional recreational

travel and heritage tourism visits along the

route. After a lengthy period of growth, visitation rates for the ESA have been essentially flat

for the past several years, and this situation is

expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

Any new visits created by implementation of

Alternative B would generate two beneficial

effects: They would improve the visitation and

continuing viability of the individual trail sites;

and they would contribute to the economic

activity of the surrounding communities

through increased visitor expenditures.

Currently, the best-documented expenditure

rate for tourist travel in New Mexico is $96.45

per day per person. At this point, it is not possible to quantify the number of additional visitors

or visitor days that might be generated by

implementation of Alternative B. Two important points are stressed:

1. Visitor forecasts to existing and future

facilities, such as El Camino Real

International Heritage Center and others

located on federal, state, and local lands,

and on private property, are predicated in

part on implementation of an NHT action

alternative. 

2. It has been the common experience of

other designated national historic trails

(such as Lewis & Clark, Oregon, Mormon

Pioneer, California, and Santa Fe) that

increases in visitation are directly related to

the quality of the public awareness and

promotional programs that are conducted

for them. Special events, in particular,

greatly improve visitation rates. Therefore,

for this analysis, it is too speculative to

assume a figure for increased visitation

resulting directly from the implementation

of Alternative B, but it is recognized that

such an increase would occur, and generate

additional, but presently unquantified, economic benefits beyond those resulting from

direct government expenditures. These

benefits are expected to begin immediately

upon plan implementation and continue for

the indefinite future.

Implementation of Alternative B would result in

unquantified social benefits in the ESA. The

economic improvements and additional service

and hospitality-industry jobs generated by

increased visits would enhance the economic

stability of communities in the ESA, especially

those with higher rates of unemployment. Other

benefits would include improved governmental

services resulting from increased tax revenues,

and avoidance of future social costs that might

otherwise result from continued economic

problems. Low-moderate-income families and

individuals, at-risk youth, Hispanic residents,

and North American Indians (both on reservations and in the larger community) may be

expected to find new employment in the service

sector. Proportionately, the greatest improvements can be expected in the poorer counties of

New Mexico, and to a lesser extent in El Paso

County and the Mexican “gateway communities.” This alternative would not impact tribal

lands directly; North American Indians would

generally benefit from induced economic activity from increased visitation.

Alternative B would add to the effectiveness on

ongoing NPS and BLM international outreach

efforts, such as Habitat Chat, Sister

Communities, and the ongoing cooperative

agreements between NPS, BLM, and INAH.

This would help these programs to achieve

objectives of enhancement and sustainable

management of natural resources, maximum

efficiency in use of fiscal resources, and coordination of cross-border activities, along with

improved information sharing and relationship

development.

Implementation of Alternative B may result in

unquantified adverse impacts to state and local

tax revenues. These would occur if private lands

are purchased as part of the plan and thus
118 CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

removed from the tax rolls, or if agreements are

made with private landowners to preserve sites

by reducing taxes to open-space values. This

marginal loss of revenue could negatively

impact delivery of government services to an

unknown degree. This loss may be more than

offset by gains in tax revenues associated with

increased economic activity stimulated by the

alternative. The magnitude of such gain or loss

is unknown at this time.

Vegetation/Noxious Weeds/Soils/Water/Air

Impacts under Alternative B would be similar to

Alternative A. With augmented visibility for the

trail and the lack of interpretation along the

trail, increased visitor use may lead to additional

damage to soils and vegetation at some locations. Damage to soils and vegetation is expected to be minimal and to be mitigated by proper

design of trails and pullouts. There would be no

measurable impacts to surface water or ground

water resources.

Wildlife

Modification of wildlife habitat is not proposed

under this alternative; therefore, there would be

no impacts to wildlife.

Cumulative Impacts

Implementation of Alternative B is integral to

the cumulative visits and economic activity of all

trail resource sites along the route.

Improvements at any single site or combination

of sites would likewise affect activity elsewhere

along the trail. Already mentioned is the nearly

completed International Heritage Center, which

would add cumulatively to the benefits of the

trail along its route. Other certified sites would

add to the trail’s overall socioeconomic viability.

The benefits of implementing Alternative B to

the local and regional economy would include

improvements in both permanent and temporary employment opportunities and revenues as

the planned maintenance and improvement of

existing facilities and programs are implemented. These benefits would be both local and

regional in nature, and would also be international, with enhanced employment opportunities along the Mexican border and southward in

the Mexican State of Chihuahua.

Because Alternative B emphasizes off-site

interpretation of El Camino Real de Tierra

Adentro, cumulative impacts resulting from

public visitation at high-value interpretive sites

would not occur. These sites would never be

opened for public visitation and recreational use

as part of heritage tourism. 

Increased interest (both legitimate and illegitimate) in the trail would result from public

awareness and outreach programs, mostly based

out of El Camino Real International Heritage

Center. Increased public awareness should

result in a growing population of volunteers

participating in local chapters of the statewide

site stewardship program. Based on the numbers of sites the Farmington chapter of the site

stewards can actively patrol, it is estimated that

site stewards in the Río Abajo region would be

able to monitor approximately 300 properties

annually. This active patrolling should result in

improved site protection and should nullify any

increase in looting or “pot-hunting” at El

Camino Real-related sites.

IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE 

COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES

Under Alternative A, there would no change

from the current expenditures, because there

would be no change from the current management program. Current federal land-management activities would continue, and there would

be no certification of private lands or special

efforts made to identify trail resources or coordinate recreation and interpretive activities.

Therefore, there would be no new irreversible

and irretrievable commitment of resources created with this alternative.

Under both Alternatives B and the Preferred,

there would be irreversible and irretrievable 
Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 119

commitments of resources in terms of funds

expended for action plan implementation. This

amount is estimated at $535,000 per year in

combined federal funds and local challenge

cost-share program match under each alternative. Other unquantified commitments of

resources would be created if state and local

agencies, trail associations, and the private sector commit them in coordination with the federal government in implementation of either

Alternative B or the Preferred Alternative.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LOCAL

SHORT-TERM USE OF THE 

ENVIRONMENT AND THE MAINTENANCE

AND ENHANCEMENT OF LONG-TERM

PRODUCTIVITY

Current federal land management, and state,

local, and private-sector recreation and interpretation activities under Alternative A would

continue, and thus would marginally improve

the long-term productivity of the socioeconomic environment over both the short and

long-term. 

Under Alternatives B and the Preferred,

enhancement and coordination programs

would result in both short-term benefits resulting from construction and long-term benefits

from the enhanced operations. The Preferred

Alternative would be expected to have the most

favorable overall net socioeconomic benefits

from increased visitation and economic activity.

UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS

There would be no unavoidable adverse

socioeconomic impacts under Alternative A.

The only unavoidable adverse impact under

Alternatives B and the Preferred would be the

potential loss in local tax revenues from either

government purchases of private lands or tax

agreements resulting in lowered tax rates.

There is potential under the Preferred

Alternative for new surface disturbances totaling 0.9 acres of land in Jornada del Muerto area

for recreational development adjacent to areas

that have already been subject to human disturbances for many years—primarily roads. Given

the relatively small size of these disturbances

spread out over five recreation sites (pull-outs)

and a short trail, impacts to other resources

would be minimal and difficult to measure.
Cross of Cristo Rey near Sunland Park, New Mexico.