Caldera Action

William B. Keleher Chair

Superintendent Brad Traver

Mr Stephen Henry

Mr. James Gosz

Ms. Tracy Hephner

Mr. Jim Range

Supervisor Dan Jiron

Mr. Raymond Loretto

Dr. Jeff Cross, Executive Director

Valles Caldera National Preserve Trustees

PO box 359

Jemez Springs, NM 87025

   Caldera Action is a not for profit 501c3 organization of citizens concerned with the management, public access, and environmental integrity of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. We read with interest the January 13, 2008 Albuquerque Journal article stating that there is interest from unknown persons in allowing snowmobiles into the VCNP for recreational purposes.

    Though we understand that the VCNP management has no plans at present to allow snowmobiles in the VCNP, we feel its important to state our views on this matter for the record. Caldera Action is strongly opposed to any introduction of snowmobiles into the VCNP except for administrative purposes. Snowmobiles, while less destructive than thrillcraft that are used in the absence of snow, still could present serious environmental problems to the VCNP.

    First, as the National Park Service has found at Yellowstone National Park, (where a highly controversial snowmobile recreation program exists) snowmobiles introduce considerable amounts of air pollution into the environment which becomes water pollution in streams as snow melts. As they are currently designed, two-stroke engines - whether in a snowmobile or any other kind of vehicle or device - emit significant amounts of air pollution. Twenty to thirty percent of the fuel goes through the engine and out the tailpipe unburned. Also the vehicle engines are lubricated in part with oil that is mixed with the fuel. This oil does not burn well and significant amounts of it are released from the tailpipe. Given its weight, the oil settles onto the snow and runs into streams causing significant water pollution problems which are a threat to the health of fish, wildlife, and humans.

   In the winter, cold air sinks to the floor of the Valles and the air is often stagnant allowing for poor dispersal of any air pollution in the area. We could expect that smoke from snowmobiles or any other thrillcraft would concentrate and exacerbate the pollution problems noted above. Given that the streams in the VCNP already have problems meeting state and federal water quality standards, we expect that petroleum pollution from snowmobiles could create new compliance problems for the VCNP.

    Noise from snowmobiles would harass and stress wildlife in the VCNP already struggling with low temperatures and limited food supplies. The quiet in the VCNP, according to the response of the public at recent public meetings on access, is one of the Preserve’s greatest assets.

    Most important, allowing snowmobiles into the VCNP would set a dangerous precedent. If snowmobiles are allowed into the Preserve, then why not dirt bikes, ATVs, jeeps, quads, side-by-sides, and tracked vehicles? These machines currently enjoy unregulated access to national forest and BLM lands and the lack of law enforcement on the Santa Fe National Forest has meant that motorized thrillcraft are trespassing into closed areas. With the problems the VCNP already has with minimal law enforcement patrols, this could mean major impacts on the VCNP if thrillcraft left areas designated for their use.

   Caldera Action is strongly opposed to motorized recreation in the VCNP. This use is incompatible with the VCNP’s legislative mandate to protect the environment. You may expect we would be very active and persistent in our opposition to any proposal to allow motorized play in the VCNP.

                                                            Sincerely, 

                                                            Tom Ribe

                                                            President, Caldera Action