New Mexico's largest city and the state capitol have thrown their considerable weight behind efforts to protect northern New Mexico's Valle Vidal by recently passing resolutions opposing industrialization in the "Valley of Life." Earlier this month, the city of Las Vegas, NM, passed a similar resolution. All three city councils unanimously supported the resolutions and join a staggering list of nearly 400 New Mexico governments, chambers of commerce, businesses and organizations opposed to industrial development in New Mexico's Valle Vidal.
The communities of Taos, Red River, Springer, Cimarron, Eagle Nest, and Questa have passed similar resolutions, as have the Taos County Commission and the Santa Fe County Commission. "I hope this will help convince Representative Heather Wilson and Senator Pete Domenici to co-sponsor legislation protecting the Valle Vidal," said David Sedillo, Secretary of the Las Vegas Chapter of Sportsmen Concerned. "The Valle Vidal is important to all sorts of people all across New Mexico."
Background
The 100,000-acre Valle Vidal unit of the Carson National Forest - is a wildlife and recreation paradise filled with breathtaking landscapes, teaming wildlife, lush grassy meadows, sparkling streams set in a backdrop of a lush green conifer forest. This majestic landscape starts at an elevation of around 7,800 feet and terminates at 12,544 feet - the summit of Little Costilla Peak, New Mexico's third highest mountain. The area is renowned for its elk and other hunting opportunities and is prime habitat to recover the Rio Grande cutthroat trout.
The U.S. Forest Service is in the process of determining whether or not to lease portions of New Mexico's Valle Vidal area for coal bed methane development. A wide range of interests including sportsmen, local governments, tribes, the former president of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association and conservation groups oppose plans to allow drilling in the area. Responding to this wide range of interests opposed to allowing drilling in New Mexico's Valle Vidal. Rep. Tom Udall (D-NM) and Sen. Jeff Bingaman introduced legislation on September 15 and 20 respectively (H.R. 3817 and S. 1734). The House bill would withdraw the area from mineral entry while the Senate bill would create a National Preserve in the area as well as withdraw it from mineral entry.
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