| Contacts: | Theresa Herrera | , (505) 954-2021 |
Tent Rocks Monument to Reopen
Albuquerque, N.M. – Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (Monument) will reopen on Saturday, August 13. However, the road is closed beyond the Monument’s main parking area to the Veteran’s Overlook. The public is asked to adhere to any posted closures within the Monument.
The Monument had been closed since June 29 due to the Las Conchas fire and the subsequent threat of flooding. During the closure, BLM and Pueblo de Cochiti, with assistance from the Las Conchas Incident Management teams, have taken precautionary measures to minimize flood potential and install early alert flood systems in Peralta Canyon and the Monument.
Visitors to the Monument, located downstream from the fire area, should check weather forecasts prior to their visit. Any anticipated thunderstorms in the high country above the Monument may not be noticeable from the hiking trails when storms are approaching. Visitors should be prepared for temporary road closures or the possibility that they could be temporarily stranded if stream or low level crossings are compromised by flood flows or debris. Heavy rains, especially in the high country affected by the fire, can occur at any time of the day but are generally more common in the afternoons. Early arrival at the Monument is recommended. The Monument is currently open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. seven days a week.
The BLM appreciates the public’s patience during the closure of the monument. For more information, please visit the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument website: http://www.blm.gov/nm/tentrocks
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.