[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 24, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S9887]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BINGAMAN:
  S. 1210. A bill to authorize the acquisition of the geologic 
formation known as the Valles Caldera currently managed by the Baca 
Land and Cattle Co., and to provide for an effective management program 
for this resource within the Department of Agriculture, and consistent 
land management to protect the watershed of the Bandelier National 
Monument; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


          VALLE GRANDE VALLES CALDERA PRESERVATION LEGISLATION

  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, this bill that I have just sent to the 
desk, in my view, gives us a chance in this Congress to grasp a 
historic opportunity to make a real difference for the American people 
for generations to come.
  Most Americans can name various geologic treasures and places of 
wonder within our land. Places like Diamond Head in Hawaii, the 
Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and Rocky 
Mountain National Park in Colorado readily come to mind because our 
people have access to them. However, there is a place in New Mexico 
that rivals these areas in splendor and yet, few people know about, or 
fully appreciate its significance. It is called the Valles Caldera.
  The Valles Caldera is one of the world's greatest volcanic features. 
A large circular crater 12-15 miles in diameter, the views from the rim 
are awe inspiring. As one looks across the vast green valleys and 
mountains that now sit within the ring of the caldera, and realizes 
that they are all merely the cooled workings of a resurgent lava dome, 
one is struck by the sheer magnitude of the natural forces that created 
the Jemez Mountains in north central New Mexico.
  The explosions that created the caldera, some 1.2 million years ago, 
ejected over 100 cubic miles of earth, rock, and lava. It is estimated 
that if the original mountain had come to a peak that it would have 
been taller than Mount Everest.
  However very few people, even in New Mexico, have ever been on this 
land. Since 1860, it has been in private ownership. At that time it was 
granted by the United States to the heirs of Don Luis Maria Cabeza de 
Vaca as part of a settlement of Spanish land grant claims under the 
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and has since been known as the Baca Land 
& Cattle Company.

  It has passed through several owners since 1860, and about once in a 
generation the United States has tried to purchase the land. The first 
time was in the 1930's. Again, in the 1960's the late former Senator 
from New Mexico, Clinton P. Anderson tried to negotiate a deal for the 
land. Finally in 1980, the owner of the land, James ``Pat'' Dunigan, 
was in negotiations with the Government to sell the land when he died a 
premature death. Now, his family has come forward and said they would 
like to fulfill his dream of seeing this land move into public 
ownership.
  Mr. President, this is an opportunity that we cannot let pass us by. 
In 1993, the Forest Service completed a study of this land which lays 
out the tremendous value it could have within public ownership:
  First, the Valles Caldera is the classic example of a resurgent lava 
dome. The study of its features has helped geologists to understand 
volcanic processes throughout the world;
  Second, the recreation potential is enormous. Hiking, camping, cross-
country skiing, photography, horse back riding, hunting, and fishing 
are obvious possibilities.
  The headwaters of the Jemez and San Antonio rivers are located on 
this land, and represent some of the best trout fishing streams in New 
Mexico. There are nearly 27 miles of trout streams on the ranch, most 
of which meander through grass meadows perfect for fly fishing.
  Also over 6,000 elk live on this land, making it ideal for hunting.
  Perhaps the most unique features of this land are the seven enormous 
open grassland valleys that are tailor made for horseback riding.
  Third, finally, and perhaps most important, this land has been well 
preserved. Through careful management of their grazing land, selective 
timbering, and the use of proscribed fire, the current owners have 
maintained the caldera as an ecological jewel. With over 65,000 acres 
of conifer forests mixed with aspen, gamble oak, and broken rock known 
as felsenmeer, and 30,000 acres of lush grasslands, the Caldera 
supports an abundance of wildlife, including black bears and cougars.
  Mr. President, words are a poor substitute for seeing this land, and 
although pictures cannot convey its grandeur, they may provide my 
colleagues with a sense of it:
  First, to give people a sense of location, here is a map of north 
central New Mexico. To the south is Albuquerque and then Santa Fe above 
it. You'll notice that the Baca Ranch is nestled between the Santa Fe 
National Forest, and Bandelier National Monument, which many members of 
the public have visited.
  Second, here is a satellite photo of the volcano. The black outline 
represents the Baca Ranch, approximately 95,000 acres. For perspective, 
on the right side of this photo is Los Alamos, NM, and just below it is 
the Bandelier National Monument. This large yellow spot on the bottom 
right corner of the caldera rim is known as the Valle Grande. It is the 
only part of the Ranch that most people have seen because state highway 
4 comes through on the side, but it is only one of seven valleys on the 
property.
  Third, here's a picture of the Valle Grande, it's about 4 miles wide 
and 6 miles long covering over 17,000 acres.
  Fourth, and here is the upper Jemez river which originates and 
meanders through the Valle Grande.
  Fifth, finally, here is a picture of the Valle Toledo the third 
largest valley on the property, about 4,000 acres.
  Mr. President, the legislation I'm introducing today does two things: 
it gives the Forest Service the authority to start negotiating for the 
purchase of this land in good faith by authorizing appropriations, land 
exchanges, and the acceptance of donations; and it rationalizes the 
boundaries between the Santa Fe National Forest and Bandelier National 
Monument for consistent management of their respective watersheds.
  Acquiring land of this quality and magnitude will not be cheap or 
easy. It will take a lot of work on the part of this body and our 
counterparts on the House, and on the part of the administration. 
However, if we don't close this deal this time, I'm not sure the 
American people will ever forgive us. Although the Dunigan's have been 
great stewards of the land, they want to sell it. Who knows how future 
owners may use this land.
  When Senator Anderson tried to acquire this land for the United 
States 35 years ago, we could have bought this land for less than $5 
million. Now the costs will be much much greater, and if it is ever 
subdivided, the costs will go up exponentially.
  Mr. President, I know that many people will want to argue about the 
management of this land. There are many, many uses that this land could 
be put to, but I would caution my colleagues that now is not the time 
to argue over future use. Let's worry about how we will acquire the 
land first. Management options can be worked out later.
  I think it will take additional time before a full management plan 
can be put in place for the property. It would be an exercise in 
futility for us to try to work all of that out before we move to take 
advantage of this historic opportunity.
  Mr. President, I understand that there is support for this effort to 
bring this property into public ownership by others in the delegation. 
I very much want to work with them and with people in the 
administration to see this happen. It is a very important initiative 
and a very important goal for us to pursue in the second session of 
this Congress. So I hope very much that we can make progress on it.
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