The Latest: Bill seeks national park status for White Sands

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Latest on White Sands National Monument (all times local):

8:30 a.m.

Legislation is being introduced that would elevate the home of the world’s largest gypsum dune field in southern New Mexico from a national monument to a national park.

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich made the announcement Friday while visiting New Mexico, saying the change would boost recognition and visitation.

White Sands was initially established as a monument in 1933 by President Herbert Hoover to preserve the dunes and additional features of scenic, scientific and educational interest.

Supporters say the monument contains a more diverse set of significant archaeological and scientific resources than were first known. Heinrich pointed to the recent discovery of fossilized footprints and sloth tracks from the Ice Age.

The legislation also would clear the way for a land transfer with the U.S. Army that has been in the works since the 1970s.

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7:40 a.m.

The push to turn White Sands National Monument — home of the world’s largest gypsum dune field — into a national park is ramping up and one think-tank says such a change could boost recognition of the southern New Mexico destination.

A study released Friday by the non-profit research group Headwaters Economics found that redesignation of White Sands could result in more than $6 million in new spending and more jobs.

The group looked at eight redesignated national parks and found that visits increased on average by about 20 per cent within five years. The parks also had more overnight visits and spending per visitor than monuments.

The study suggests the uptick in visitation at national parks following the recession will persist as long as the national economy continues to grow.