New Mexico Governor Petitions For Wilderness Protection New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson filed a petition for complete protection of 1.7 million acres of New Mexico wilderness -- 1.6 million acres of roadless national forests in New Mexico, as well as 100,000 acres at the Valle Vidal. “Our roadless wilderness areas are truly cherished by the people of New Mexico as well as people who come here to fish and hunt,” Richardson said. A federal advisory committee appointed by the Bush administration will now review the petition and make recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture, who will decide whether to initiate a federal rulemaking process. At the end of that process, the administration may enact, modify or reject the petition entirely.