LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- There are many people trying to protect the Organ Mountains ranging from sportsmen, business owners, conservationists and elected officials. The "Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act" is being pushed in Washington, D.C., by New Mexico Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall. If passed, the measure will protect almost 400,000 acres of public land in Dona Ana County, and would ensure the protection of watersheds, hunting, recreational opportunities as well as cultural resources like petroglyphs. With both the city of Las Cruces and Dona Ana County growing at a fast pace, many residents seem to be excited about the bill. Even the El Paso City Council jumped onboard Tuesday in support of the bill.

"City of El Paso is a key partner, we have so much in common, we share many of the same areas, share the people who travel back and forth,” said Councilman Nathan Small of Las Cruces attending El Paso City Council. “We felt it was very important because the council has been so forward thinking to come down here and unanimously support the desert wilderness act.”

The bill has been introduced in Congress and just waits to be moved through the legislative process.