From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Mon Nov 7 16:54:10 2005 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Wed Nov 9 11:29:52 2005 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Citizen's Valle Vidal Hearing - Santa Fe - November 16th Message-ID: Valle Vidal supporters, Over the past year, the Forest Service has held several public hearings about the Valle Vidal. Despite assurances that there would be time for public comment at these meetings, the Forest Service found itself either unable or unwilling to host an oral public comment period. To remedy that, members of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal have arranged for a Citizen's Hearing on the Valle Vidal. The Forest Service has agreed to accept all the comments made at this hearing as part of the official public record. A court recorder will be present. This will be your opportunity to speak out in support of protecting the Valle Vidal.? Join us for a Citizen?s Hearing regarding the Forest Service Plan Amendment and make your vision of the Valle Vidal part of the record.? ? Where:? Tipton Hall, College of Santa Fe: 1600 St. Michaels Dr., Santa Fe, New Mexico 505-473-6511 When:? Wednesday November 16th, 6-8:30pm ? Each person will be given time to say how they feel about the Valle Vidal and to make their voice a part of public record.? Please call Sarah at 505-243-7767 for more information. Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Mon Nov 7 18:18:33 2005 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Wed Nov 9 11:29:53 2005 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Get your Valle Vidal letters to Senator Domenici NOW Message-ID: <20adb7e3c5d566b59f4051b0a7d1e6f4@vallevidal.org> Valle Vidal Supporters, The Santa Fe County Commission recently passed a resolution supporting our efforts to protect the Valle Vidal. In one month, the Commissioners will meet with Senator Pete Domenici to deliver that resolution and to press for his support for our efforts to protect the Valle Vidal. Commissioner Paul Campos would also like to personally deliver as many letters in support of the Valle Vidal to Senator Domenici as possible. Even if you have written a letter before, please write another letter that Commissioner Campos can deliver on your behalf. Talking points: * New Mexicans have spoken and our elected officials need to listen to us: No amount of oil or gas development is acceptable in the Valle Vidal. This treasured hunting, fishing recreational and agricultural area is too unique to simply minimize the damage that gas development entails. ? The Valle Vidal is an economic generator for our communities. Every year, over 50,000 people spend $3-5 million dollars in our communities when visiting the Valle Vidal. We must protect that sustainable resource. ? There is very little gas in the Valle Vidal. In fact, there is so little natural gas in the Valle Vidal that it represents roughly one-half to 2-1/2 day's supply of current USA natural gas demand (less than 1 percent of all gas from the Raton Basin) and would trickle slowly into supply lines over a period of 15 to 20 years. ? The question of gas resources is settled. The time to act is now. There will be no further studies on resources. We do not need to waste more taxpayers' money for the Forest Service to tell us that most New Mexicans are against drilling this treasure. ? Include your personal stories from the Valle Vidal and what you value most in the Valle Vidal. Send you letters to: ? Santa Fe County ATTN: Lisa Royal/Valle Vidal PO Box 276 Santa Fe, NM 87504 FAX: 505-995-2740 EMAIL: lroybal@co.santa-fe.nm.us IF YOU ARE SENDING EMAIL, MAKE THE LETTER AN ATTACHMENT. ? ADDRESS YOU LETTERS TO: Senator Pete V. Domenici ? Please try to get your letters to Commissioner Campos ASAP! From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Tue Nov 15 12:35:28 2005 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Tue Nov 15 14:09:41 2005 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Public Lands Giveaway - This Week Message-ID: <04337572736c14ebc5de77b6f69b2566@vallevidal.org> PUBLIC LAND SALE TO CORPORATE AMERICA Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA), chair of the House Resources Committee, is proposing amendments to the US MINING LAWS. The amendments would allow multinational corporations to buy all of our public lands -- whether they contain any minerals or not - the only public land that would exempted are: National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, designated Wilderness Areas, National & Historic Trails, National Monuments, Wild & Scenic Rivers and National Conservation Areas. If this passes, it will be the biggest public land grab in US history. ?If this passes, all our work to protect the Valle Vidal will be for naught. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY!!! Call and/or fax a simple letter. Tell you Representative you want them to oppose the Houses budget reconciliation bill because it allows the sale of our public land and guts the existing mining laws. The process is a subversion of the legislative process and will permanently harm our state. Rep. Heather Wilson: 202-225-6316 ; 202-225-4975 fax Rep. Steve Pearce: 202-225-2365 ; 202-225-9599 fax Also, tells Senator's Bingaman and Domenici that you will not stand for this. Sen. Jeff Bingaman: 202-224-5521 Sen. Pete Domenici: 202-334-6621 DETAILS: The "Mining" Section of the Budget Reconciliation is a stealth approach to selling public lands. Pombo's measure would use the 1872 mining law as a cover for sales and developments that have nothing to do with mining. Instead of allowing the lease of land with apparent mineral assets, Pombo would allow anyone to buy federal land outright for a mere $1,000 an acre. The measure would immediately target some 367,000 acres in old mining claims in Utah alone, and could metastasize to consume all 32 million acres of federal land in the state. It would have much the same result in New Mexico. The Valle Vidal would be open for bidding. The bill would: ?- Lift a ban on the sale or "patenting" of public lands to mining claim holders that has been in place since 1994. ?This action immediately allows the sale of more than 5.5 million acres of public land,including pristine land within wilderness study areas, popular recreation spots, lands adjacent to and within treasured national parks, important wildlife habitat and critical watershed areas. - Make new provisions for selling land under the mining law -- allowing mining claim holders to buy land which contains or once contained valuable minerals as well as unlimited blocks of adjacent land. Large expanses of nearly 300 million acres of Western public land could be privatized under this provision. - Exclude any requirement that land purchased actually be used for mining, essentially legalizing what was previously considered an abuse of the mining law and allowing mining companies, real estate developers and others to turn treasured natural areas into condos, resorts or other inappropriate developments. - Remove a requirement to show a "discovery of a valuable mineral deposit" before making a purchase or securing rights to the land - a requirement that has been in the law since 1872. ? Also weakens the existing laws requirements for mining claim holders to actually carry out claim-related work. ?- Allow mining operations conducted on these "sold" public lands to escape federal environmental review and reclamation bonding requirements. - Create additional opportunities for taxpayer rip-offs by requiring the Department of Interior to accept, without review, appraisals offered by prospective land purchasers. - Raise less than half the amount of revenue that could be raised by a modest 8% royalty on hardrockbmining companies - a royalty level in line with the percentage fees paid by other extractive industries removing valuable resources from public land. - Threatens revenues raised from oil and gas royalties, since the bill's provisions could also be used by extractive industries to purchase land outright rather than seek lease agreements. PLEASE!! Call or Fax Reps. Wilson and Pearce Immediately. Voice your opposition to Pombo's giveaway of our public lands! For more information, call Oscar Simpson at: 505-345-0117 From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Tue Nov 22 12:03:36 2005 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Tue Nov 22 13:21:49 2005 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Deadline Approaches for Commissioner Campos Domenici Meeting Message-ID: <3f705b33f663c2ae29eb31b7687bf42f@vallevidal.org> >> Valle Vidal Supporters, >> >> The Santa Fe County Commission recently passed a resolution >> supporting our efforts to protect the Valle Vidal. In one month, the >> Commissioners will meet with Senator Pete Domenici to deliver that >> resolution and to press for his support for our efforts to protect >> the Valle Vidal. Commissioner Paul Campos would also like to >> personally deliver as many letters in support of the Valle Vidal to >> Senator Domenici as possible. >> >> Even if you have written a letter before, please write another letter >> that Commissioner Campos can deliver on your behalf. Deadline, >> December 5th, 2005. >> >> Talking points: >> >> * New Mexicans have spoken and our elected officials need to listen >> to us: No amount of oil or gas development is acceptable in the Valle >> Vidal. This treasured hunting, fishing recreational and agricultural >> area is too unique to simply minimize the damage that gas development >> entails. >> >> ? The Valle Vidal is an economic generator for our communities. >> Every year, over 50,000 people spend $3-5 million dollars in our >> communities when visiting the Valle Vidal. We must protect that >> sustainable resource. >> >> ? There is very little gas in the Valle Vidal. In fact, there is >> so little natural gas in the Valle Vidal that it represents roughly >> one-half to 2-1/2 day's supply of current USA natural gas demand >> (less than 1 percent of all gas from the Raton Basin) and would >> trickle slowly into supply lines over a period of 15 to 20 years. >> >> ? The question of gas resources is settled. The time to act is >> now. There will be no further studies on resources. We do not need to >> waste more taxpayers' money for the Forest Service to tell us that >> most New Mexicans are against drilling this treasure. >> >> ? Include your personal stories from the Valle Vidal and what you >> value most in the Valle Vidal. >> >> Send you letters to: >> ? >> Santa Fe County >> ATTN: Lisa Royal/Valle Vidal >> PO Box 276 >> Santa Fe, NM 87504 >> FAX: 505-995-2740 >> EMAIL: lroybal@co.santa-fe.nm.us >> IF YOU ARE SENDING EMAIL, MAKE THE LETTER AN ATTACHMENT. >> ? >> ADDRESS YOU LETTERS TO: >> Senator Pete V. Domenici >> ? >> Please try to get your letters to Commissioner Campos ASAP! Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Mon Nov 28 16:41:16 2005 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Mon Nov 28 17:50:34 2005 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Update on the Fight to Protect the Valle Vidal Message-ID: <7fb2dd272c338a8fdf3b98cc45cb9ce4@vallevidal.org> Valle Vidal Supporters, The Forest Service has called the battle over the Valle Vidal a "marathon". ?They are exactly right. ?As of today, we find ourselves at around mile seven. ?The battle for the Valle Vidal is far from over. Where are we now? Forest Service Amendment Planning process is not yet half over. During the scoping comment period, the Forest Service received nearly 55,000 comments from people opposed to drilling the Valle Vidal. Now, the Forest Service has to wade through those comments, take them into account and develop a DRAFT Environmental Impact Statement that will be issued sometime in the spring of 2006. ?At that time, the public will have another chance to comment on the plan. ?The final plan will be issued about one year from now. Valle Vidal Legislation in Congress. ?In October, the Valle Vidal Protection Act was heard in the House Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health. ?By all accounts, the hearing went very well for us although it has not moved forward since then. ?The bill will not move forward without the support of Rep. Heather Wilson from Bernalillo County. ?While she has opposed drilling with today?s drilling technologies, she has not come out in support of Rep. Tom Udall's bill. ?We need to have her on our side if we are to reach our goal of permanent protection. Letter Writing ? an explanation Over the past few months, the Coalition for the Valle Vidal has, again and again, asked for you to write letters to various policy makers and newspapers on behalf of the Valle Vidal. ?Getting your letters in at the appropriate time has a very large impact for the Valle Vidal. ?It is only through a sustained and continuous public outcry that our policy makers know that the Valle Vidal is of the utmost importance to the people of New Mexico and beyond. ?Your response to our letter writing appeals IS having an effect. ??But you can?t stop now. There is a lot more letter writing to come. ?? In 2006 we will again ask for your help to: ? push the Forest Service on the Valle Vidal Amendment Plan, ? support the ONRW nomination for the waters of the Valle Vidal (see below), ? push our elected representatives to do the support our legislation in Congress and to fight off an underhanded and backroom attacks on the Valle Vidal. ? VOLUNTEER TODAY! The Coalition is in need of at least three volunteers to pass out information, perform data entry and organize information. A bit more information about volunteer duties is provided below. We hope that you will stick with us for the duration of this "marathon!? Oustanding National Resource Waters (ONRW) Nomination In August, Governor Richardson nominated the waters of the Valle Vidal for protection under the ONRW clause of the Clean Water Act and NM Water Quality Standards. To be eligible for ONRW status, waters must have ?ecological or recreational significance.? ?The waters of the Valle Vidal surely meet those standards and achieving ONRW designation will protect these waters from future degradation, while still allowing current activities in the area to continue. The hearing to determine the status of the Valle Vidal waters is scheduled for Tuesday December 13th and will probably carry over into the 14th. ?The hearing starts at 9:00am and is being held in Apodaca Hall of the ?PERA building in Santa Fe. ?We now need to get as many people there as possible. ?There will be an opportunity for public comment so we want to get as many people as possible to give comment as well as just to fill up the room to show the Water Quality Control Commission that there is public support for the nomination. ?The Water Quality Control Commission is the decision making body who will decide whether or not to designate the waters of the Valle Vidal as Outstanding National Resource Waters. We will organize transportation to the hearing on the morning of the 13th and if necessary the 14th. We will eave from the AB office at 7:30 am each morning, We will send out more details as it gets closer, call/email if they plan on attending. If people can't make it to the hearing we are asking them to send a letter in support of the nomination to the Water Quality Control Commission. ?A sample letter and mailing address are at: http://www.amigosbravos.org/actionalerts/actionalerts.html Please contact Rachel Conn at: 505-758-3874 for more information ONRW On the Radio Brian Shields and Rachel Conn of Amigos Bravos and Yvette Paroz from the Department of Game and Fish discussed the upcoming Outstanding Natural Resource Water (ONRW0 nomination for the waters of the Valle Vidal. The show was aired on Monday November 28th at 8:30am on KRZA 88.7 FM and it will be posted on Cultural Energy's (the production studio) website at http://www.culturalenergy.org. Volunteers Sought The Coalition is in need of at least three volunteers. ??We need someone who could help us: 1. ??Organize our information library, file newspaper and magazine clippings, catalouge photographs, etc. 2. ??Perform data entry. Literally thousands of people have asked to be continually updated on the Valle Vidal battle and we need to enter their emails and addresses into a database over the next two to three months. 3. ?Tabeling. ?Currently, we have one brave volunteer who is passing out information on a weekly basis. ?She needs some help! If you would like to volunteer, please call Jim O'Donnell at 505-758-3874. The Valle Vidal will not be industrialized. Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Mon Nov 7 16:54:10 2005 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2005 14:54:10 -0700 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Citizen's Valle Vidal Hearing - Santa Fe - November 16th Message-ID: Valle Vidal supporters, Over the past year, the Forest Service has held several public hearings about the Valle Vidal. Despite assurances that there would be time for public comment at these meetings, the Forest Service found itself either unable or unwilling to host an oral public comment period. To remedy that, members of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal have arranged for a Citizen's Hearing on the Valle Vidal. The Forest Service has agreed to accept all the comments made at this hearing as part of the official public record. A court recorder will be present. This will be your opportunity to speak out in support of protecting the Valle Vidal.? Join us for a Citizen?s Hearing regarding the Forest Service Plan Amendment and make your vision of the Valle Vidal part of the record.? ? Where:? Tipton Hall, College of Santa Fe: 1600 St. Michaels Dr., Santa Fe, New Mexico 505-473-6511 When:? Wednesday November 16th, 6-8:30pm ? Each person will be given time to say how they feel about the Valle Vidal and to make their voice a part of public record.? Please call Sarah at 505-243-7767 for more information. Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Mon Nov 7 18:18:33 2005 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2005 16:18:33 -0700 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Get your Valle Vidal letters to Senator Domenici NOW Message-ID: <20adb7e3c5d566b59f4051b0a7d1e6f4@vallevidal.org> Valle Vidal Supporters, The Santa Fe County Commission recently passed a resolution supporting our efforts to protect the Valle Vidal. In one month, the Commissioners will meet with Senator Pete Domenici to deliver that resolution and to press for his support for our efforts to protect the Valle Vidal. Commissioner Paul Campos would also like to personally deliver as many letters in support of the Valle Vidal to Senator Domenici as possible. Even if you have written a letter before, please write another letter that Commissioner Campos can deliver on your behalf. Talking points: * New Mexicans have spoken and our elected officials need to listen to us: No amount of oil or gas development is acceptable in the Valle Vidal. This treasured hunting, fishing recreational and agricultural area is too unique to simply minimize the damage that gas development entails. ? The Valle Vidal is an economic generator for our communities. Every year, over 50,000 people spend $3-5 million dollars in our communities when visiting the Valle Vidal. We must protect that sustainable resource. ? There is very little gas in the Valle Vidal. In fact, there is so little natural gas in the Valle Vidal that it represents roughly one-half to 2-1/2 day's supply of current USA natural gas demand (less than 1 percent of all gas from the Raton Basin) and would trickle slowly into supply lines over a period of 15 to 20 years. ? The question of gas resources is settled. The time to act is now. There will be no further studies on resources. We do not need to waste more taxpayers' money for the Forest Service to tell us that most New Mexicans are against drilling this treasure. ? Include your personal stories from the Valle Vidal and what you value most in the Valle Vidal. Send you letters to: ? Santa Fe County ATTN: Lisa Royal/Valle Vidal PO Box 276 Santa Fe, NM 87504 FAX: 505-995-2740 EMAIL: lroybal at co.santa-fe.nm.us IF YOU ARE SENDING EMAIL, MAKE THE LETTER AN ATTACHMENT. ? ADDRESS YOU LETTERS TO: Senator Pete V. Domenici ? Please try to get your letters to Commissioner Campos ASAP! From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Tue Nov 15 12:35:28 2005 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 10:35:28 -0700 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Public Lands Giveaway - This Week Message-ID: <04337572736c14ebc5de77b6f69b2566@vallevidal.org> PUBLIC LAND SALE TO CORPORATE AMERICA Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA), chair of the House Resources Committee, is proposing amendments to the US MINING LAWS. The amendments would allow multinational corporations to buy all of our public lands -- whether they contain any minerals or not - the only public land that would exempted are: National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, designated Wilderness Areas, National & Historic Trails, National Monuments, Wild & Scenic Rivers and National Conservation Areas. If this passes, it will be the biggest public land grab in US history. ?If this passes, all our work to protect the Valle Vidal will be for naught. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TODAY!!! Call and/or fax a simple letter. Tell you Representative you want them to oppose the Houses budget reconciliation bill because it allows the sale of our public land and guts the existing mining laws. The process is a subversion of the legislative process and will permanently harm our state. Rep. Heather Wilson: 202-225-6316 ; 202-225-4975 fax Rep. Steve Pearce: 202-225-2365 ; 202-225-9599 fax Also, tells Senator's Bingaman and Domenici that you will not stand for this. Sen. Jeff Bingaman: 202-224-5521 Sen. Pete Domenici: 202-334-6621 DETAILS: The "Mining" Section of the Budget Reconciliation is a stealth approach to selling public lands. Pombo's measure would use the 1872 mining law as a cover for sales and developments that have nothing to do with mining. Instead of allowing the lease of land with apparent mineral assets, Pombo would allow anyone to buy federal land outright for a mere $1,000 an acre. The measure would immediately target some 367,000 acres in old mining claims in Utah alone, and could metastasize to consume all 32 million acres of federal land in the state. It would have much the same result in New Mexico. The Valle Vidal would be open for bidding. The bill would: ?- Lift a ban on the sale or "patenting" of public lands to mining claim holders that has been in place since 1994. ?This action immediately allows the sale of more than 5.5 million acres of public land,including pristine land within wilderness study areas, popular recreation spots, lands adjacent to and within treasured national parks, important wildlife habitat and critical watershed areas. - Make new provisions for selling land under the mining law -- allowing mining claim holders to buy land which contains or once contained valuable minerals as well as unlimited blocks of adjacent land. Large expanses of nearly 300 million acres of Western public land could be privatized under this provision. - Exclude any requirement that land purchased actually be used for mining, essentially legalizing what was previously considered an abuse of the mining law and allowing mining companies, real estate developers and others to turn treasured natural areas into condos, resorts or other inappropriate developments. - Remove a requirement to show a "discovery of a valuable mineral deposit" before making a purchase or securing rights to the land - a requirement that has been in the law since 1872. ? Also weakens the existing laws requirements for mining claim holders to actually carry out claim-related work. ?- Allow mining operations conducted on these "sold" public lands to escape federal environmental review and reclamation bonding requirements. - Create additional opportunities for taxpayer rip-offs by requiring the Department of Interior to accept, without review, appraisals offered by prospective land purchasers. - Raise less than half the amount of revenue that could be raised by a modest 8% royalty on hardrockbmining companies - a royalty level in line with the percentage fees paid by other extractive industries removing valuable resources from public land. - Threatens revenues raised from oil and gas royalties, since the bill's provisions could also be used by extractive industries to purchase land outright rather than seek lease agreements. PLEASE!! Call or Fax Reps. Wilson and Pearce Immediately. Voice your opposition to Pombo's giveaway of our public lands! For more information, call Oscar Simpson at: 505-345-0117 From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Tue Nov 22 12:03:36 2005 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2005 10:03:36 -0700 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Deadline Approaches for Commissioner Campos Domenici Meeting Message-ID: <3f705b33f663c2ae29eb31b7687bf42f@vallevidal.org> >> Valle Vidal Supporters, >> >> The Santa Fe County Commission recently passed a resolution >> supporting our efforts to protect the Valle Vidal. In one month, the >> Commissioners will meet with Senator Pete Domenici to deliver that >> resolution and to press for his support for our efforts to protect >> the Valle Vidal. Commissioner Paul Campos would also like to >> personally deliver as many letters in support of the Valle Vidal to >> Senator Domenici as possible. >> >> Even if you have written a letter before, please write another letter >> that Commissioner Campos can deliver on your behalf. Deadline, >> December 5th, 2005. >> >> Talking points: >> >> * New Mexicans have spoken and our elected officials need to listen >> to us: No amount of oil or gas development is acceptable in the Valle >> Vidal. This treasured hunting, fishing recreational and agricultural >> area is too unique to simply minimize the damage that gas development >> entails. >> >> ? The Valle Vidal is an economic generator for our communities. >> Every year, over 50,000 people spend $3-5 million dollars in our >> communities when visiting the Valle Vidal. We must protect that >> sustainable resource. >> >> ? There is very little gas in the Valle Vidal. In fact, there is >> so little natural gas in the Valle Vidal that it represents roughly >> one-half to 2-1/2 day's supply of current USA natural gas demand >> (less than 1 percent of all gas from the Raton Basin) and would >> trickle slowly into supply lines over a period of 15 to 20 years. >> >> ? The question of gas resources is settled. The time to act is >> now. There will be no further studies on resources. We do not need to >> waste more taxpayers' money for the Forest Service to tell us that >> most New Mexicans are against drilling this treasure. >> >> ? Include your personal stories from the Valle Vidal and what you >> value most in the Valle Vidal. >> >> Send you letters to: >> ? >> Santa Fe County >> ATTN: Lisa Royal/Valle Vidal >> PO Box 276 >> Santa Fe, NM 87504 >> FAX: 505-995-2740 >> EMAIL: lroybal at co.santa-fe.nm.us >> IF YOU ARE SENDING EMAIL, MAKE THE LETTER AN ATTACHMENT. >> ? >> ADDRESS YOU LETTERS TO: >> Senator Pete V. Domenici >> ? >> Please try to get your letters to Commissioner Campos ASAP! Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html From jodonnell at vallevidal.org Mon Nov 28 16:41:16 2005 From: jodonnell at vallevidal.org (Jim O'Donnell) Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 14:41:16 -0700 Subject: [Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Update on the Fight to Protect the Valle Vidal Message-ID: <7fb2dd272c338a8fdf3b98cc45cb9ce4@vallevidal.org> Valle Vidal Supporters, The Forest Service has called the battle over the Valle Vidal a "marathon". ?They are exactly right. ?As of today, we find ourselves at around mile seven. ?The battle for the Valle Vidal is far from over. Where are we now? Forest Service Amendment Planning process is not yet half over. During the scoping comment period, the Forest Service received nearly 55,000 comments from people opposed to drilling the Valle Vidal. Now, the Forest Service has to wade through those comments, take them into account and develop a DRAFT Environmental Impact Statement that will be issued sometime in the spring of 2006. ?At that time, the public will have another chance to comment on the plan. ?The final plan will be issued about one year from now. Valle Vidal Legislation in Congress. ?In October, the Valle Vidal Protection Act was heard in the House Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health. ?By all accounts, the hearing went very well for us although it has not moved forward since then. ?The bill will not move forward without the support of Rep. Heather Wilson from Bernalillo County. ?While she has opposed drilling with today?s drilling technologies, she has not come out in support of Rep. Tom Udall's bill. ?We need to have her on our side if we are to reach our goal of permanent protection. Letter Writing ? an explanation Over the past few months, the Coalition for the Valle Vidal has, again and again, asked for you to write letters to various policy makers and newspapers on behalf of the Valle Vidal. ?Getting your letters in at the appropriate time has a very large impact for the Valle Vidal. ?It is only through a sustained and continuous public outcry that our policy makers know that the Valle Vidal is of the utmost importance to the people of New Mexico and beyond. ?Your response to our letter writing appeals IS having an effect. ??But you can?t stop now. There is a lot more letter writing to come. ?? In 2006 we will again ask for your help to: ? push the Forest Service on the Valle Vidal Amendment Plan, ? support the ONRW nomination for the waters of the Valle Vidal (see below), ? push our elected representatives to do the support our legislation in Congress and to fight off an underhanded and backroom attacks on the Valle Vidal. ? VOLUNTEER TODAY! The Coalition is in need of at least three volunteers to pass out information, perform data entry and organize information. A bit more information about volunteer duties is provided below. We hope that you will stick with us for the duration of this "marathon!? Oustanding National Resource Waters (ONRW) Nomination In August, Governor Richardson nominated the waters of the Valle Vidal for protection under the ONRW clause of the Clean Water Act and NM Water Quality Standards. To be eligible for ONRW status, waters must have ?ecological or recreational significance.? ?The waters of the Valle Vidal surely meet those standards and achieving ONRW designation will protect these waters from future degradation, while still allowing current activities in the area to continue. The hearing to determine the status of the Valle Vidal waters is scheduled for Tuesday December 13th and will probably carry over into the 14th. ?The hearing starts at 9:00am and is being held in Apodaca Hall of the ?PERA building in Santa Fe. ?We now need to get as many people there as possible. ?There will be an opportunity for public comment so we want to get as many people as possible to give comment as well as just to fill up the room to show the Water Quality Control Commission that there is public support for the nomination. ?The Water Quality Control Commission is the decision making body who will decide whether or not to designate the waters of the Valle Vidal as Outstanding National Resource Waters. We will organize transportation to the hearing on the morning of the 13th and if necessary the 14th. We will eave from the AB office at 7:30 am each morning, We will send out more details as it gets closer, call/email if they plan on attending. If people can't make it to the hearing we are asking them to send a letter in support of the nomination to the Water Quality Control Commission. ?A sample letter and mailing address are at: http://www.amigosbravos.org/actionalerts/actionalerts.html Please contact Rachel Conn at: 505-758-3874 for more information ONRW On the Radio Brian Shields and Rachel Conn of Amigos Bravos and Yvette Paroz from the Department of Game and Fish discussed the upcoming Outstanding Natural Resource Water (ONRW0 nomination for the waters of the Valle Vidal. The show was aired on Monday November 28th at 8:30am on KRZA 88.7 FM and it will be posted on Cultural Energy's (the production studio) website at http://www.culturalenergy.org. Volunteers Sought The Coalition is in need of at least three volunteers. ??We need someone who could help us: 1. ??Organize our information library, file newspaper and magazine clippings, catalouge photographs, etc. 2. ??Perform data entry. Literally thousands of people have asked to be continually updated on the Valle Vidal battle and we need to enter their emails and addresses into a database over the next two to three months. 3. ?Tabeling. ?Currently, we have one brave volunteer who is passing out information on a weekly basis. ?She needs some help! If you would like to volunteer, please call Jim O'Donnell at 505-758-3874. The Valle Vidal will not be industrialized. Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html Jim O'Donnell Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal www.vallevidal.org PO Box 238 Taos, NM 87571 505-758-3874 Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal? Would you like to support our efforts? Join or contribute today at: http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html