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11/17/2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | | | | Wilson Welcomes Final Passage of Valle Vidal Protection Act
| Permanent Protection of New Mexico’s Valle Vidal Set to Become Law
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson welcomed Senate passage late Thursday of legislation authored by Rep. Tom Udall (D-NM) and cosponsored by Wilson (R-NM) that permanently protects the Valle Vidal from mining and mineral leasing. The bill will be sent to the President to become law.
The Valle Vidal Protection Act of 2005, H.R. 3817, originated in the U.S. House of Representatives and passed in July by voice vote. Through hearings, the House Resources Committee which passed the bill in June, had taken a comprehensive look and determined that permanent protection is best for the Valle Vidal.
“The Valle Vidal is a great recreational, scenic and wildlife area, and the summer destination for up to 3,000 Boy Scouts on a wilderness experience each year. These are its best uses,” Wilson said.
The Valle Vidal is a piece of land near Cimarron, New Mexico that Pennzoil Corporation gave to the Federal Government for tax reasons back in 1982. Since then, it has been managed by the Forest Service.
The Valle is adjacent to Philmont Scout Ranch, the largest Boy Scout high adventure camp in the nation. The Scout Ranch has a 30-year agreement with the Forest Service to allow up to 3,000 scouts a year to hike on the Valle Vidal. Last summer, about 2,000 Scouts from around the nation had their high adventure itineraries take them through the eastern end of the Valle.
In August of 2005, Wilson toured the Valle Vidal and discussed the geology of the area with the Forest Service planner, learning more about the wildlife and other factors to consider.
On September 9, 2005, Wilson wrote to Carson National Forest Supervisor Martin Chavez to express her view that the Valle Vidal Unit Management Plan then under consideration should make special management arrangements to preserve and enhance the area's riparian and water resources, varied wildlife populations, and recreational and sporting opportunities and that coal bed methane development is incompatible with these uses at this time.
The Forest Service received thousands of written public comments, including Wilson’s, and hundreds of verbal comments at the numerous public meetings held on the management direction of the Valle Vidal throughout the state.
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