Zone Planning Meetings for the Valles Caldera Announced
The managers at the Valles Caldera National Preserve announce two virtual hearings for the “Zone” planning process at the Preserve. They have also posted an attractive information sheet including maps of the various planning options.
Please attend one or both of the virtual planning meetings:
Tue. April 20, 2021 • 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm MT
Thu. April 22, 2021 • 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm MT
Links to these meetings and the planning newsletter can be accessed via the project website: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ VALL_zonin
Valles Caldera Backcountry Closed… Except to Hunters
The National Park Service continues to give special access for hunters at the Valles Caldera. Currently the public cannot access the Valles Caldera by vehicle beyond the Cabin District until May 15. But turkey hunters can drive into the backcountry and they can camp overnight. The public is always prohibited from camping in the Preserve and managers have said it could be years until camping rules change.
The State of New Mexico, Department of Game and Fish regulates what can be hunted and when at the Valles Caldera, but they do not set access rules for hunters. The Park Service regulates where hunters can go and when.
The rules for hunters at the Preserve were established under the pre-2014 managers of the Preserve, the Trust. Other rules held over from the Trust also seem contrary to National Park Service procedures followed at many other parks. For example, having an entrance gate that is open only during business hours rather than daylight hours crimps public activities at the Preserve.
Caldera Action supports the hunting program at the VCNP but we urge the NPS to open the Preserve to regulated camping for everyone, not just hunters. Special camping arrangements for hunters appear arbitrary and capricious.
New Mexico Bans Trapping
The New Mexico legislature passed a bill (Senate Bill 32) banning recreational and commercial trapping on public lands across the state and the Governor signed the legislation in April. The federal legislation that created the Valles Caldera National Preserve included language allowing trapping in the Preserve but according to Preserve managers, nobody has ever applied or a permit to trap in the Preserve. Now trapping is illegal at the Valles Caldera.
Feral Cattle Gathered Near Los Alamos
Los Alamos County is rounding up feral cattle in the Bayo and Pueblo Canyon systems east of the Valles Caldera. A Colorado contractor will turn the cattle over to the State Brand Inspector for disposal. We are concerned that these cattle eventually could move up the canyons and into the Valles Caldera.
Caldera Action has urged the County and the Department of Energy to remove cattle from White Rock Canyon as well given the important biological and archaeological resources in the canyon.
Cochiti Pueblo Closes Access to More Public Lands
Cochiti Pueblo recently closed the road to the Tetilla Peak Campground and trail system near Cochiti Reservoir. The area is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Cochiti Pueblo has also blocked access to national forest roads that lead to the Valles Caldera, and the road to Tent Rocks National Monument, managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Senator Heinrich’s staff told Caldera Action they are urging the Pueblo to open roads that access public lands.
