By KRWG News
Alamogordo – The Otero County Commission is scheduled to consider a proposed ordinance in opposition to any designation of Otero Mesa as a national monument.
A crowd is expected for Thursday night's meeting.
Commissioner Ronny Rardin says the latest version of the proposal includes a statement that opposes designating a national monument without the written consent of the commission after public hearings and appropriate consultation.
In March, Gov. Bill Richardson sent a letter to the Obama administration saying he supported any effort to consider national monument status for Otero Mesa.
The governor referred to reports that listed 14 sites, including Otero Mesa, that could be designated as national monuments through the federal Antiquities Act, which gives presidents the authority to designate monuments without congressional approval.
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Information from: Alamogordo Daily News, http://www.alamogordonews.com
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.