FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           CONTACT:  AGNES C. OCZON/Domenici
October 3, 1996                                    (202) 224-7073
                                             KEN BERLACK/Bingaman
                                                   (202) 224-1804

The Bisti and De-Na-Zin Wilderness Expansion and Fossil Forest Protection Act, introduced in January 1995 by Domenici and co-sponsored by Senator Jeff Bingaman, is included in the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 that passed the Senate today. The omnibus bill will now be sent to the President for his signature.

The lands outlined in the bill are immediately adjacent to the existing boundaries of the Bisti and De-Na-Zin wilderness areas, about 18 miles northwest of the Chaco Canyon, between Highways 371 and 44. The bill would link the two areas together to create one large wilderness area in the northwest New Mexico badlands.

"I am very pleased that this proposal will now be signed into law. Joining of the Bisti and De-Na-Zin wilderness areas provide more environmental protection to these badlands and enhance the wilderness experience for visitors," Domenici said. "This area represents a unique paleontological area in New Mexico that represents an important period of time and space in our country's natural history."

"This legislation will add great value to the existing Bisti De-Na-Zin wilderness area by including the stark beauty of the surrounding badlands," Bingaman said. "These adjacent lands are of high wilderness quality and will permit visitors the opportunity for hiking, backpacking and geological study of this historic area of New Mexico."

In December 1991, approximately 10,750 acres were exchanged between the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, acting in trust with the Navajo Tribe, to contribute to this area. Further land exchanges with the State of New Mexico and the Navajo Tribe will be needed to complete the wilderness area, but both parties have in the past expressed their willingness to enter into such agreements.

The Bisti/De-Na-Zin bill is similar to the legislation introduced by Domenici in the 103rd Congress. It was passed by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, but congressional action was not completed on the bill before the end of the last legislative session.

The Bisti bill also includes the Fossil Forest Research Natural Area, which is named for the abundant petrified tree stumps and logs that lie exposed. The area is located about seven miles southeast of the Bisti Wilderness, but does not share any common boundaries. It is home to four major dinosaur bone quarries and several micro-vertebrate and invertebrate localities that are between 70-80 million years old.

Both Domenici and Bingaman are members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and its Subcommittee on Public Lands, National Parks and Forests.