[Coalition_for_valle_vidal] PRESIDENT SIGNS VALLE VIDAL PROTECTION ACT!!!

[Jim O'Donnell]

December 13, 2006

Press Release – For Immediate Release and Distribution

Contact:	

Jim O’Donnell, Coalition for the Valle Vidal, 505.758.3874
Jared Chatterly, American Outdoor Academy, Cimarron, 505.376.1001
Charlie Gonzales, Taos County Commission, 505.770.8231
Marissa Padilla, Press Secretary, Office of U.S. Rep. Tom Udall 
(N.M.-3), 202.225.1213
Jon Goldstein, Spokesman, Governor Bill Richardson, 505.476.2248

VALLE VIDAL PROTECTION ACT BECOMES LAW
President Signs Landmark Legislation

Taos, NM – After an intense and hard-fought three-year battle, 
President Bush signed Representative Tom Udall’s Valle Vidal Protection 
Act of 2005 into law yesterday evening.  The new law will permanently 
protect the Valle Vidal, one of New Mexico’s greatest natural 
treasures, by withdrawing the area from mineral leasing.

“The Valle Vidal Protection Act is a great step towards New Mexico's 
clean energy future, said Representative Tom Udall, the bill’s sponsor. 
“Responsible management of our energy resources means that some places, 
such as the Valle Vidal, are simply off limits to development.”

  Udall authored and introduced the Valle Vidal Protection Act in late 
2005.  He worked aggressively to secure the support of the New Mexico 
delegation and, ultimately, the entire 109th Congress.  The bill passed 
both the Senate and the House unanimously.

“Santa Claus came early this year,” said Taos County Commissioner 
Charlie Gonzales. “This is a huge victory for the citizens of New 
Mexico.  New Mexicans are demanding a clean energy future, an oil and 
gas industry that acts responsibly and clean air, water and a healthy 
economy,”

The Valle Vidal (Spanish for “Valley of Life”) is a lush mountain basin 
in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico. 
A majestic landscape of breathtaking vistas and abundant wildlife, it 
is often referred to as “New Mexico’s Yellowstone.” However, the Valle 
Vidal was also threatened by the prospect of highly-intrusive coalbed 
methane development from El Paso Corporation of Houston, Texas, which 
petitioned the Forest Service to open the area to drilling in June of 
2002.

El Paso Corporation, initially receiving a lukewarm reception from the 
Forest Service, solicited help from the White House Task Force for 
Energy Project Streamlining in 2003. Soon thereafter, the Carson Nation 
Forest set in motion a decision-making process to decide whether to 
lease the area for oil and gas development – a process that most often 
leads to the actual sale of lease rights. Ranchers, sportsmen, and 
community activists consequently joined with local businesses and 
conservationists to protect the Valle Vidal from mineral exploitation.

"This victory was imperative to me,” exclaimed Jared Chatterly, founder 
and executive director of the American Outdoor Academy, a nonprofit 
with headquarters in Cimarron, New Mexico.  “With its nearly intact 
ecosystem and proximity to several metropolitan areas, the Valle Vidal 
serves as an ideal outdoor classroom where students on week-long 
expeditions can learn environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation 
skills.  The Valle Vidal is also a place that is personally important 
to me.  It is where I got engaged to my wife and our kids went on their 
first camping trip; it has a lot of sentimental value. Protecting this 
treasure will not only preserve a beautiful piece of our National 
Forest for outdoor enthusiasts, but it will also strengthen Cimarron's 
economy by generating tourist dollars from visitors to the area.  It is 
good to see the democratic process work and our elected officials 
respond positively to the desires of their constituents."

  “Once those drilling companies get in there, they push the people out. 
  We couldn’t have that,” Gonzalez said. “The Valle Vidal is a vital 
part of our lifestyle and a vital part of the sustainable, protected 
public-lands economy we depend on.”

By 2005, the Coalition for the Valle Vidal had grown to represent more 
than 400 organizations, including seventeen local governments and three 
chambers of commerce and the Coalition began working with Rep. Udall.  
The Coalition found a willing champion.

"Protecting unique areas is part of a responsible energy policy,” Udall 
said.

"Today's action gives the Valle Vidal the protection it has long 
deserved," said Governor Bill Richardson. "I would like to thank 
Senator Bingaman and Congressman Udall for their tremendous leadership 
on this issue. This legislation is a victory for the Valle Vidal's 
world-class trout streams, its trophy elk herd and all the hunters, 
anglers and outdoors-people that enjoy this pristine area.”

Udall hinted at what is to come.  “I will continue to work towards the 
protection other unique western lands,” he said.

“This is a beautiful victory,” concluded Gonzales.  “I’m proud of my 
community for standing up for what’s right.  The Valle Vidal is now 
protected.”

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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