Sandoval County (NM) has passed a resolution that states:
“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SANDOVAL COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THAT CURRENT SANDOVAL COUNTY POLICY DOES NOT ADVOCATE THE DEVELOPMENT OR PLANNING OF A NORTHEAST ROADWAY CORRIDOR CONNECTING INTERSTATE 25 AND NEW MEXICO STATE HIGHWAY 14 THROUGH THE PLACITAS AREA OR THROUGH LANDS BELONGING TO THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT”
This is a direct result of WHOA’s efforts and it reflects the clear wishes of the Placitas-area residents.Â
The proposed Loop Rd (/NE Corridor) would have cut through the habitat of the Placitas Wild Horses and would have interrupted the Wildlife Corridor of the Sandia Mountains. It would have also greatly increased the development pressures in the East Mountains, as well as the BLM land in the Placitas-area, and could have led to high density development as already seen in Rio Rancho.
However, as good a result as this may be, this resolution is non-binding and it does not state any opposition to a connecting route between I-25 and NM14 through the linking of existing roads, a sort of backdoor creation of a Loop Rd. So, futher vigilance continues to be warranted, as the Loop Rd has proven to be a pet project that slips it’s way into the County’s plans every few years and has required vigorous opposition to defeat each time.