[Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Governor Richardson Event in the Valle Vidal, August 19-20, 2005

Mon Aug 15 11:54:25 EDT 2005

RALLY FOR THE VALLE VIDAL
VALLE VIDAL
AUGUST 19-21, 2005

Come to the majestic and enchanting Valle Vidal for a great Outdoor
Adventure and exciting three day weekend and show your support to
protect ³New Mexico¹s Yellowstone.² Join the Governor of New Mexico,
the Former President of the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association, the Mayor
of Springer and other prominent speakers who are opposed to drilling in
the Valle Vidal and want our Valle Vidal permanently protected. Have a
fun filled weekend - hiking, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife
viewing and restoring critical riparian and wetland areas.

The Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest - 100,000 acres, is
a recreational 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 Mexico¹s the third highest
mountain. For more information action to take and and pictures of the
Valle Vidal go to the following web sites: www.vallevidal.org and
www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson/plans/index.shtml

Community Forums & Rally:

Friday August 19th from 4‹6 p.m.
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, as well as Gary Fonay, past
president of the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association and others will speak
on behalf of protecting the Valle Vidal. Please come and show your
support for the Valle Vidal - attend this event and other fun filled
activities. Food and drinks will be provided for participants on Friday
evening. Detailed information on events and activities can be obtained
before and after this forum.

Saturday, August 20th from 5-7:30 pm
This second community forum will have speakers who talk about the
history, wildlife & habitat management, proposed management plan and
impacts of oil & gas development (coalbed methane).   After this event
the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation will host a potluck evening meal ‹
providing hamburgers, brats and drinks  all who attend are expected to
bring a side dish that can serve 20 people or more. For those who can¹t
bring a side dish a donation of $10.00 per person is suggested.

DAY EVENTS: Friday  Sunday, August 20 - 22, 2005 8:00am to 4:00pm

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2005  8:00 am to 4:00pm
1)    All activities on your own. Information and Maps will be sent to you
for places to hike, trail ride and fish, etc.  Remember, the first
forum starts at 4:00 pm. Contact Oscar Simpson at 505-345-0117 or
e-mail: oscarsimpson3 at yahoo.com

SATURDAY and SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 & 21, 2005  8:00am to 4:00pm
1)    Conservation Work Projects - restoring critical riparian and wetland
Areas on the east and west side of the Valle Vidal.
9:00am to 4:00pm. Please RSVP by Thursday, August 17th. Contacts:
Glenda Muirhead 505-281-2925, E-Mail: gmuirhead1 at msn.com
Jeremy Vesbach 505-264-5500, E-mail: jvesbach at yahoo.com
Information can be picked up at Friday evening¹s forum.

These events are sponsored by the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation

2)    Trail Rides  Trail rides in the eastern and western portions of the
Valle Vidal. Recommend that you obtain the Forest Service map  Valle
Vidal Unit, Carson National Forest. This trail ride is for persons who
have their own horse and riding gear. Starting location - McCrystal
Campground, north end 8:00am. The Valle Vidal is rated as one of the
top places in the nation to trail ride. Trail riders from all over the
country come to ride in the majestic landscapes and view its abundant
wildlife. Trail rides are easy to moderate. Contact Oscar Simpson at
505-345-0117 or e-mail: oscarsimpson3 at yahoo.com for info. Information
will also be available at Friday¹s and Saturday¹s forums.

3)    Day Hikes  Information and maps of areas or trails to hike in the
Valle Vidal can be obtained at Friday¹s forum or by contacting Oscar
Simpson at 505-345-0117, E-mail: oscarsimpson3 at yahoo.com  Recommend
that you obtain the Forest Service map  Valle Vidal Unit, Carson
National Forest as a base map for your hiking adventures.
There may be Guided hikes details still being worked on.

4)    Fishing  Fish the Shuree Ponds located in the central portion of
the Valle Vidal for trophy rainbow trout. On the west side of the Valle
Vidal, the Rio Costilla & Comanche Creeks offer excellent fishing for
Rio Grand Cutthroat, German Brown and Rainbow Trout. Fishing report:  -
huge Colorado Cutbows, up to 20 inches, are in the upper reaches of the
Rio Costilla. Fishing is very good for trophy size rainbow trout in the
Shuree ponds  16 to 20 inches.  Note: There are specific fishing
regulations and restrictions that apply to the Valle Vidal. Please
review all the applicable regulations. Refer to the NM Game & Fish
Rules & Regulations which can be obtained at numerous recreation stores
across the state or at www.wildlife.state.nm.us .

5)    Wildlife Viewing and Photography - The Valle Vial over has 60
species of mammals, 200 species of birds, 33 species of reptiles and
amphibians and 15 species of fish. It contains one of the highest
concentrations of elk on public land in New Mexico. The best viewing
opportunity for big game animals especially elk, are at daybreak and
late evening. At this time of the year you can view large herds of elk
(300 to 500 per herd) on the west side, southern portions of the Valle
Vidal or the head waters of Vidal and Comanche Creeks. A good pair of
binoculars is highly recommended. View opportunities are also good for
turkey, bear, deer, and an occasional buffalo (southern half of the
east side).

6)    Mountain biking  The Valle Vidal has great mountain biking
opportunities on existing trails and or on old logging roads that are
closed to motorized vehicles. Contact Oscar Simpson at 505-345-0117 or
E-mail: oscarsimpson3 at yahoo.com for details.

7)    Vehicle Touring  Viewing the majestic landscapes of the Valle Vidal
by vehicle is excellent. Access, travel and viewing along the main
Forest Service Road 1950 is excellent on this all season graveled road
that starts at an elevation on the east side at 7800 feet and departs
on the west side at 9000 feet. This is the only road to access the
Valle Vidal. Entrance from the west side of the Valle Vidal starts at
the town of Costilla near the Colorado border. It is approximately 20
miles via highway 196 to the West side of the Valle Vial. To enter the
Valle Vidal from the east, the turn off to Forest Road 1950 is 4.5
miles north of Cimarron, New Mexico off HWY 64. It is approximately 23
miles from HWY 64 to the east side of the Valle Vidal. Recommend that
you obtain the Forest Service map  Valle Vidal Unit, Carson National
Forest as a base map for your touring adventures. For additional
details and other vehicle touring routes contact Oscar Simpson at
505-345-0117,E-mail: oscarsimpson3 at yahoo.com

Forum and Camp site Location:
The Valle Vidal lies northeast of Taos and northwest of Cimarron and is
approximately 15 miles south of the Colorado - New Mexico border. 
Nights can be cool (High 30 degree range), rain is always a
possibility, so pack accordingly and bring your own sleeping
accommodations. The campsite is approximately a 4.5 hour drive from
Albuquerque, 1.5 hours from Cimarron and 2.5 hours from Taos.

TO ENTER THE VALLE VIDAL FROM THE EAST:
Get off I-25 at exit 419- 5 miles north of Springer, NM. Go west on
Highway 58 to Cimarron NM (19 miles), as you approach the east end of
Cimarron at the intersection of highways 58 & 64, take Highway 64 and
go North toward Raton NM, go approximately 4 miles on Highway 64, look
for small GREEN sign on the right hand side of the road (Valle Vidal),
turn LEFT and go west on the dirt road (FS 1950) to the camp site and
or McCrystal campground approximately 30 miles. This road is a good
dirt road but can be rough and bumpy  dependent on weather conditions
(rain). Watch out for heavy truck traffic (oil & gas) for the first 21
miles.

The group campsite and forum events is 1/4 mile east of McCrystal
Campground just south of Forest Road 1950. Look for black-on-yellow ³VV
Event² signs to guide you to the camp location. From the east edge of
the Valle Vial, it is about 8 miles along FS road 1950 to the turn off
to the Camp site and forum events. From the junction of HWY 64 and FS
road 1950 it is about 23 miles to the east edge of the Valle Vidal. The
only sign at this intersection (64 & 1950) is a small green sign on HWY
64 that reads Valle Vidal. FS Road 1950 is not listed on this or any
other sign. Make sure you have good tires and as a precaution we
suggest you carry several bottles of fix-a-flat and a flat tire repair
kit (plug type), incase you have a flat  it¹s a long way in and out of
the Valle Vidal. This camp site is primitive, portable out houses will
be available and a limited supply of fresh potable water will be
available. To make sure we don¹t run out of water, bring at least 5
gallons or more per vehicle. Cell phone use or reception is limited to
a look out point on the side of the mountain - 5 miles west of the camp
site.

The two public Forums and the evening meals (Friday and Saturday night)
will be held in a tent - capacity limited to 100 people. You need to
provide your own food for meals other than Friday and Saturday nights.
Remember Saturday night is pot-luck night, bring a side dish that will
supply 20 people. This camp site is suitable for truck/camper,
truck-horse trailer and tent camping. Large motor homes or 5th wheel
rigs may have a hard time accessing this site. We suggest that you use
the McCrystal Campground for easer access and camping if this fits your
case. McCrystal Campground does not have potable drinking water but has
water for horses.

For further information and details contact Oscar Simpson at
505-345-0117 or 505-259-5766 cell
E-mail: oscarsimpson3 at yahoo.com