On Tuesday, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson sent a letter to Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall expressing his support for the legislation introduced in Congress last month that would give control of the Valles Caldera to the National Park Service. Click here to read the press release announcing Gov. Richardson’s support for the legislation, and click here to read the Associated Press story on this announcement.
In his letter, the governor wrote: “I appreciate the good work of the Board Members of the Valles Caldera Trust and the Preserve staff over the last decade. However, I concur with you that transfer of management to the National Park Service is appropriate for the long-term preservation of the Valles Caldera.”
The letter is included below:
June 22, 2010
….
Dear Senator Bingaman and Senator Udall:Thank you for your leadership in introducing the Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act to ensure the long-term protection of one of New Mexico’s most magnificent natural areas. New Mexico’s Valles Caldera is one of only three supervolcanoes in the United States, in the company of Yellowstone, Wyoming and Long Valley, California. The Valles Caldera is home to important tribal and cultural sites as well as natural resources including elk, deer, and other wildlife. Permanently protecting this unusual landscape as a Preserve in out National Park Service system is the right thing to do.
I appreciate the good work of the Board Members of the Valles Caldera Trust and the Preserve staff over the last decade. However, I concur with you that transfer of management to the National Park Service is appropriate for the long-term preservation of the Valles Caldera.
It is critical that activities such as hunting, fishing, and cattle grazing continue to be permitted in the new Preserve, and your bill allows these traditional uses of the land to continue. The state will still have an important role in wildlife management. As this proposal moves forward, I request that your offices and the National Park Service work closely with the State, particularly the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and State Game Commission, to ensure that traditional uses of this landscape are preserved for future generations.
I encourage timely passage of the Valles Caldera National Preserve Management act.
Sincerely,
Bill Richardson
Governor of New Mexico
