Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act
Key claim: The bill would make Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico a National Park System unit, keep grazing and hunting, add a science and education program, and bar mining and mineral leasing on the land.
Abstract
(S285 · 113th Congress) Valles Caldera National Preserve Management Act - (Sec. 3) Designates the Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico as a unit of the National Park System for the protection, preservation, and restoration of the fish, wildlife, watershed, natural, scientific, scenic, geologic, historic, cultural, archaeological, and recreational values of the area. Authorizes coordination of the management and operations of the Preserve with the Bandelier National Monument. Requires the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) to prepare a management plan for the Preserve. Authorizes the United States to acquire by purchase with donated or appropriated funds, by donation, or by transfer from another federal agency any land and interests within the boundaries of the Preserve. Directs the Secretary to establish a new science and education program for the Preserve. Authorizes the establishment of a science and education center outside of the Preserve in Jemez Springs, New Mexico. Requires continuation of livestock grazing at appropriate levels and locations. Requires the Secretary to permit hunting, fishing, and trapping on land and water within the Preserve. Allows designation of zones and limited periods when hunting, fishing, or trapping shall not be permitted. Declares that nothing in this Act affects any jurisdiction or responsibility of the state of New Mexico respecting fish and wildlife in the Preserve. Directs the Secretary to undertake activities to improve the health of forest, grassland, and riparian areas within the Preserve. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with adjacent pueblos to coordinate such activities on the Preserve and adjacent pueblo land. Withdraws lands and interests within the Preserve from: (1) entry, disposal, or appropriation under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) operation of the mineral leasing laws, geothermal leasing laws, and mineral materials laws. Prohibits road or Latest action (2013-09-10): Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 174.
Why this matters
Transferring Valles Caldera to National Park System management would shift the preserve’s governance framework, locking in a mining/mineral leasing ban while retaining traditional grazing and hunting uses. The added science and education mandate signals a research-oriented management posture, though the practical cost and permitting impacts depend on NPS implementation.