On Tuesday, President Joe Biden designated El Paso as a national monument.
Residents and groups that have been fighting for Castner Range’s preservation for more than a half-century praised the announcement of Castner Range being declared a national monument. It covers almost 7,000 acres along the Rio Grande.
Moses Borjas, a local pastor said that after 52 years and so many letters of support, a lot has been done.
Borjas is a member the Por La Creacion Faith-Based Alliance. This group of religious leaders advocates for environmental preservation and is part of The Hispanic Access Foundation, which is a national non-profit.
Castner Range was found to be the ancestral land of many Indigenous groups, including the Comanche Nation (Comanche Nation) and the Apache. Latino preservationists claim that the land is still sacred to Native and Indigenous communities. It is home to dozens of archeological and wildlife sites.
Castner Range on Fort Bliss was used for training and testing purposes for many decades before it closed down in 1966. There are still unexploded munitions in the area. Castner Range will now be under the U.S. Army’s control.
According to the White House, Castner Range will provide unique opportunities for El Paso to explore, learn and experience nature once the area has been sufficiently remedied.
An area with more Latino residents than ever, groups have highlighted the importance of the landscape for both recreational and mental health. Many communities border the area that are lacking in economic resources.
“We want this inaccessible and dangerous landscape to be a safe and accessible area for respite for many generations,” stated Mark Magana CEO of Green Latinos, an environmental advocacy group.
A reportfrom Hispanic Access Foundation shows that El Paso’s Latinos living near Castner Range have high rates of chronic diseases and asthma. According to the report, the designation of the land as a national memorial would protect important outdoor spaces and close the gap between nature and humans.
Hispanic Access Foundation president Maite Arce said that the city’s current challenges — including poverty, pollution and inequality, as well as climate change — are the result of broken relationships. Castner Range protection is more than protecting wildlife and mountains. It’s also protecting our heritage, heritage, and our legacy.
Preservation efforts began in 1970s. Calls to designate the landscape as a landmark started about a decade ago. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) introduced The Castner Range National Monument Act for the first time in 2021.
Borjas explained that the Latino community designation meant “Your voice has already been heard”
