An unsigned editorial entitled “$50,000 Equals How Many Animal Units?” was published in the Albuquerque Journal on Monday, May 4, 2009, in response to news that WildEarth Guardians has bid $50,000 to graze 3-5 cattle on the Valles Caldera National Preserve this summer (see this post for more information about the group’s bid). Below is a portion of the editorial:
Since 2000 the Valles Caldera National Preserve has been required by Congress to maintain a “working ranch.” It’s also required to be financially self-sufficient by 2015. That’s a tough — some might say impossible — balancing act.
So the decision of the Valles Caldera Trust to dismiss out of hand any grazing proposal with fewer than 500 animal units —cows plus calves — seems short-sighted. Especially one that offers $50,000 to run “three to five cows” on the 89,000-acre Jemez Mountain property.
So far the preserve’s grazing program and limited hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities haven’t come close to covering the bills. The Trust is considering other money-making ideas including van tours and a luxury lodge.
Bryan Bird, public lands director for WildEarth Guardians, says “dollar for dollar, our offer is the best taxpayers can ask for. Water and wildlife are the highest value the preserve can offer, and we want to protect those priceless resources for all New Mexicans. We’re willing to pay for that.”
However, it is unclear if the Trust has necessarily rejected WildEarth Guardians’ proposal outright. On May 1, 2009, the Albuquerque Journal stated that “the Trust says it won’t consider proposals with fewer than 500 ‘animal units’ of livestock.”
But the Associated Press reported on the same date that a Trust spokesman said that the figure of 500 as a minimum is not necessarily inflexible.
The minimum number is a guarantee for a livestock producer and helps them decide if it is worth bidding, said Terry McDermott, the preserve’s communications director.
It doesn’t preclude accepting a bid to graze fewer cows, he said.
