The Associated Press released an article yesterday written by Deborah Baker, entitled “Valles Caldera: Failed Federal Experiment?” Read this article in the Las Cruces Sun-News by clicking here.
UPDATE 9/28: The Journal North printed this article today on the top of its front page, with a headline asking: “Valles Caldera: System Failure?” Click here to read the story in the Journal (after clicking on the prior link, non-subscribers must click on the “trial premium pass” button on the bottom left of the screen to read the story).
An excerpt of the piece follows:
This collapsed volcano in the Jemez Mountains, which erupted more than a million years ago, is the site of a federal experiment in public lands management — a failed experiment, according to critics. Even its most ardent supporters acknowledge that it needs a fix.
The preserve isn’t run by a federal agency, although the former private cattle ranch was bought with tax dollars.
Instead, it’s governed by a nine-member board — with seven, by law, being appointed by the president of the United States. It has a mixed-message mandate: protect the land and cultural resources, provide recreation, run cattle, all while making the preserve financially self-sustaining by 2015.
“It’s basically an unworkable system,” said Tom Ribe, president of Caldera Action, a watchdog group.
Valles Caldera National Preserve Executive Director Gary Bratcher also stated in the article the need for a modification of the law that governs the Valles Caldera National Preserve, asserting that “something has to change.”
