On February 16, N.M. State Senator Tim Eichenberg (D-Bernalillo) introduced Senate Joint Memorial Bill 49 into the New Mexico State Senate:
“REQUESTING THAT CONGRESS BE URGED TO HOLD HEARINGS ON A NEW MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE VALLES CALDERA NATIONAL PRESERVE.”
SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 49
49TH LEGISLATURE – STATE OF NEW MEXICO – FIRST SESSION, 2009
INTRODUCED BY
Tim Eichenberg
WHEREAS, the Valles Caldera national preserve is one of New Mexico’s most
spectacular places and important wildlife habitats, consisting of eighty-nine
thousand acres of forest, high-mountain grassland and clear streams nestled into the
caldera of an ancient volcano; and
WHEREAS, hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation are important parts of the way
of life in New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, accessible and protected public lands benefit local economies by
offering a higher quality of life that attracts tourism and high-wage jobs; and
WHEREAS, the current management experiment at the Valles Caldera national
preserve is based on a system set up for the Presidio, an urban area located in San
Francisco, California; and
WHEREAS, it has become clear that the experimental management system for the
Valles Caldera national preserve will never generate adequate funding without
developing, and thereby destroying, the Valles Caldera itself; and
WHEREAS, the current experimental management system has failed to provide
adequate access to the public for responsible use and enjoyment of the area; and
WHEREAS, a new management system would improve opportunity for the public to
responsibly enjoy the Valles Caldera national preserve, thereby benefiting all
residents and helping the local economy; and
WHEREAS, a new management system would expand access to hunting, fishing and
outdoor recreational opportunities for all residents regardless of financial means;
and
WHEREAS, a new management system would improve natural resource management at
the Valles Caldera national preserve and put it on more solid financial footing,
ensuring that this spectacular place can be enjoyed by present and future
generations;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
that congress be urged to hold hearings as soon as possible on the establishment of
a new management system for the Valles Caldera national preserve, in which the
United States forest service, the national park service or the United States fish
and wildlife service provide management to improve responsible public access, expand
hunting, fishing and outdoor recreational opportunities for the public and place the
Valles Caldera national preserve on firm financial footing so that present and
future generations can enjoy and experience this spectacular place and benefits to
the economy can be fully realized; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New
Mexico congressional delegation and the chief clerks of the United States house of
representatives and senate for distribution to the appropriate committees.
