Valles Caldera National Preserve. Courtesy/VCNP
VCNP News:
The Valles Caldera Trust Board of Trustees last night informed the public that it plans to submit a recommendation to Congress for continued federal appropriations to fund management and operations of the Preserve through 2020.
While the Trust is on track to reach financial self-sustainability of its public programming by 2015, the Board believes there are inherent government functions that will require continued federal funding. Those functions include compliance with environmental and historic preservation laws, forest restoration, science and monitoring, the repair of infrastructure damaged by the Las Conchas and Thompson Ridge fires and post-fire flooding affecting more than 60 percent of the Preserve.
“While the Trust has made significant progress in meeting its goals and objectives set out by Congress, there remain inherent and essential government functions that will likely always require sustained federal appropriations to ensure the viability of this unique public-private partnership in experimental land management,” Board Chairman Kent Salazar said.
The Valles Caldera Preservation Act of 2000 stipulates if the Trust did not become financially self-sustaining by the end of fiscal year 2014, the Board can submit a recommendation to Congress for additional appropriations. The Board plans to exercise that option through a formal letter to Congress in the coming weeks.
“Until Congress addresses the long term disposition of the Preserve, the Board supports the continuation of the Trust’s experimental land management structure and we are confident that the Trust will continue to make great strides in implementing its innovative, sustainable, and science-based management goals,” Salazar said
The Board also approved the fiscal year 2015 budget which assumes flat funding from the previous year at $3.364 million. However, adjustments have been made to further the Trust’s priorities to increase public use and recreational opportunities, including the development of a master trail system, overnight camping, daily winter recreation access, and improvements to the Preserve’s lodging facilities and N.M. 4 pull-outs.
In another action, the Board voted to amend the pricing structure of the elk hunt lottery by increasing the ticket price for elk hunts by $10. Last year the Trust reduced the number of lottery tickets an individual could purchase to one ticket per hunt to ensure fairness and equity for public land hunters. The new policy of “one tag, one chance” attracted more than 1,000 new hunters but resulted in a 42 percent decline in revenue from the previous year’s hunt.
The Board decided to retain the “one tag, one chance” policy but voted to raise ticket prices by $10 to address the revenue shortfall. The lottery ticket prices for 2015 will be $35 for a bull hunt and $20 for antlerless hunts.
The Board expects that improved marketing of the “one tag, one chance” policy will attract more applicants to put in for a chance to experience one of the best hunting opportunities in New Mexico.
The Board also elected new officers. Beginning in 2015, Dr. Ken Smith will replace outgoing Chairman Kent Salazar. Dr. Melissa Savage will take over from Karyn Stockdale as vice chairman. And Virgil Trujillo, who was recently re-appointed to the Board, will take on the responsibilities of secretary from Jason Lott. The next Board meeting is Dec. 4 in Albuquerque.
The Valles Caldera Trust oversees the 88,900-acre Valles Caldera National Preserve, located in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico. The Preserve was purchased by the federal government in 2000 under the Valles Caldera Preservation Act, and it is known for its huge meadows, abundant wildlife, meandering streams, remarkable scenery and science-based adaptive management. More information about the Preserve can be found at www.vallescaldera.gov.
