Neighbors: Forest limits attack culture

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A New Mexico state senator and rural residents are fighting a decision by the Santa Fe National Forest that they say threatens centuries of culture and tradition.

Democratic Sen. Phil Griego of San Jose and Glorieta Mesa residents met Friday with officials to discuss their appeal of the forest's travel management plan.

The group argues the forest did not take into account community concerns about safety or impacts to ranching, wood gathering and other traditional practices.

The group also alleged that the decision-making was racially biased. Glorieta Mesa is home to many Hispanic families.

Forest officials denied the claim and said the concerns of many groups were considered.

In all, more than 20 appeals have been filed over the plan, which specifies which roads are open to four-wheelers and other backcountry vehicles across the 1.6 million-acre forest.