|
The need to manage and coordinate all these activities and user groups has required a more formal set of goals, principles, and plans than were required in simpler times.
Planning:
Mr. Silva-Banuelos described the current status of the various planning activities that the VCNPstaff are shepherding through all the steps of drafting, reviewing, getting public comment,more reviewing, revising, approving, and publication. Among them are the General
Management Plan, which is the high-level document that sets the overall goals and objectivesfor managing the Preserve, as well as the 5-Year Strategic Action Plan, which comprisespotential actions over the next five years. The areas addressed are:
1. Actions to preserve the area's resources;
2. Evaluation of the types and general intensities of developments associated with public
use of the area;
3. Identification of and implementation of visitor carrying capacities for the Preserve;
4. Indications of potential modifications to the external boundaries of the Preserve that
might be required for any reason.
You can read all about these planning activities at:
http://www.nps.gov/val/getinvolved/planning.htm
which will give you insight into possible futures for the VCNP.
The following are highlights of some specific issues that Mr. Silva-Bañuelos presented, as well as my comments.
Wild and Scenic River Designations:
The parts of Rio San Antonio and the East Fork of the Jemez within the Preserve are being
evaluated for designation as Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers. This designation would not change any current uses of these streams. It could strengthen the Preserve’s case against trespass cattle along those streams. It will also support maintenance of water quality and riparian ecosystems, which are essential for a high quality cold-water fishery.
Wilderness Area Designations:
VCNP staff are working on a Wilderness Eligibility Assessment (WEA) to determine if parts of
the Preserve could be included in the Federal Wilderness system. As I recall, Mr. Silva-Bañuelos stated that about five different areas totaling half of the Preserve meet the criteria for wilderness designation. The draft WEA is being written this Fall and no decision is likely before 2025. Wilderness Areas by statute are roadless and only non-motorized travel is allowed. The VCNP has a legacy network of old logging roads from when it was privately owned. Wilderness designation would accelerate the decommissioning and reclamation of old roads that started when the Preserve first came into public ownership.
Infrastructure Improvements:
According to Mr. Silva-Bañuelos, current infrastructure in the Preserve is inadequate to support the different expectations of the increasing numbers of visitors it receives. Desired activities include hiking, camping, backcountry driving, fishing, hunting, bicycling, horseback riding, birdwatching, and backpacking. Feedback from the public has been evenly divided among those who want more development, less development, or just leaving things as they are.
Initial plans are to relocate an expanded visitor center to the Cabin District. The Current
entrance/visitor center will become a more traditional US Park Service entrance station. Hiking paths, parking areas, and restrooms will be constructed around the new visitor center in a way that maintains the historic feel of the cabin district. The entrance road will be paved to the new visitor center but will be rerouted to the west to avoid the wet meadow around the current East Fork crossing. A backcountry vehicle permit will be required only for vehicles going beyond the cabin district.
Research Program:
Mr. Silva-Bañuelos was asked about the continuation of the VCNP’s strong research program
after the retirement of Division Chief Dr. Robert Parmenter at the end of the year. Mr. Silva-
Bañuelos stated that he planned to continue the preserve’s emphasis on science, but he wants to separate the current division into a Science Division and a Resource Stewardship Division. The new Science Division would be focused on gaining external funding and collaborations with external scientists.
RG Cutthroat Reintroduction:
When asked about reintroducing Rio Grande cutthroat trout to Preserve streams, Mr. Silva-
Bañuelos seemed amenable, but stated that would require approval and strong involvement of the NM Game and Fish Department. In the past NMG&F has not been interested in RGCT reintroduction because the only stream on the VCNP that they consider feasible, the Rio Indios, is shorter than their three mile minimum.
Jemez Pueblo Legal Decision In March of this year the US Court of Appeals for tenth Circuit issued a judgement on the appeal of the 2019 suit by the Pueblo of Jemez on their claims to the entire Valles Caldera NP. In essence, the court ruled that only the pueblo’s claims to the Banco Bonito area in the SW
corner of the Preserve were valid. The court ruled that the pueblo has an “Aboriginal Title’, not a fee simple title. As stated in the ruling, “Though aboriginal title grants a tribe only “a right of occupancy,” “not a property right,”.
I think this means that the pueblo doesn’t need government permission to be on the Banco Bonito area but also cannot prevent the government form conducting its own lawful activities.
You can read the decision here:
https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/sites/ca10/files/opinions/010110830843.pdf
Actions You Can Take:
It is obvious that VCNP staff are sincere in wanting as much public involvement as possible in the planning process. The website quoted above makes it easy to track the different planning stages and where public input is solicited. The Valles Caldera is a very special place that’s right in our backyard.
Get involved and make yourself heard on VCNP issues and plans that you care about.
Ron
| 
