Valle Vidal Protection Act of 2005

Madam Speaker, the Valle Vidal, located in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in my district in northern New Mexico, is a lush 100,000-acre mountain basin in the Carson National Forest. In 1982, the Pennzoil Company donated the unspoiled Valle Vidal to the people of the United States. It was the largest and most valuable gift of private land ever to the Forest Service.

This ``valley of life'', as Valle Vidal translates in English, is home to abundant populations of Rocky Mountain wildlife, including the largest herd of elk in our State and some of the finest trout streams in the Nation. Sportsmen, outdoor recreationists, cattle ranchers, wildlife enthusiasts, and horseback riders all enjoy the Valle Vidal's well-managed and accessible blend of wildland resources. The Valle Vidal is also a unique place for the Boy Scouts of America who have for decades come from all over the country to the adjacent Philmont Scout Ranch, the national high adventure base of the Boy Scouts of America. That is why the Philmont Staff Association, a non-profit organization of more than 2,200 current and former members of the staff the ranch, has publicly stated that the Valle Vidal should be maintained as a wilderness experience, free from the impact of coal bed methane development.

During my time in Congress, I have closely followed numerous events concerning both the Valle Vidal and our Nation's energy situation. I have traveled to the Valle Vidal to witness its beauty and take part in various activities. I have introduced energy policy initiatives and reviewed regulatory action undertaken by the executive branch. I have also received thousands of calls, emails, faxes and letters against drilling and, I think I can safely say, none in support of it. As a result, I have come to the inescapable conclusion that the Valle Vidal should be protected from energy development. It is clear to me that the value of the Valle Vidal lies only in its broad public accessibility and natural beauty and not in its finite supply of energy.

New Mexicans and thousands of Americans are overwhelmingly against drilling in the refuge. These concerned citizens recognize that the Valle Vidal's minimal contribution to our energy needs is not worth despoiling such an important ecological resource. The consequences are just too great. Moreover, many of my constituents, as confirmed by recent economic studies, recognize that the protection of special public lands like the Valle Vidal is good for local economies and that exploitation of these places for a few hours of energy will, in fact, hurt long-term economic growth and sustainability. Fundamentally, drilling in the Valle Vidal to create more energy is a false choice.

The very fact that this special place is being targeted for oil and gas leasing radically demonstrates the current and growing crisis with America's energy situation. We must urgently find ways to balance the needs of supplying safe, reliable energy and of ensuring a livable and sustainable environment for the people of the United States.

To that end, I urge all of my colleagues in the House to support passage of The Valle Vidal Protection Act of 2005 to permanently protect the Valle Vidal from mineral extraction. The Valle Vidal's ecological health and public accessibility should be protected so it can be enjoyed to the utmost by current and future generations. This ecosystem and its myriad of recreational opportunities are too valuable to the people of New Mexico and the Nation, and the energy gains too miniscule, to justify any damage to this special area.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Chairman Pombo and to Ranking Member Rahall and especially to my colleague on the Forest Subcommittee, Chairman Greg Walden for their work on the Valle Vidal Protection Act of 2005. I would also like to thank fellow New Mexicans Jim O'Donnell of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal, and Mayor Danny Cruz of Springer, rancher Alan Lackey, and Bill Schudlich of Trout Unlimited who all traveled to D.C. to testify on behalf of the Valle Vidal, and Oscar Simpson, Ed Olona, and Steve Capra who have worked diligently to build broad, meaningful grassroots support for this legislation. I would finally like to thank some of the staff who make everything we do here possible, including Johanna Polsenberg and Thomas Garcia on my staff, and Rick Healy and Jim Zoia on the staff of the Resources Committee.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3817) to withdraw the Valle Vidal Unit of the Carson National Forest in New Mexico from location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and for other purposes.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield my such time as I may consume.

H.R. 3817, introduced by New Mexico Representative Tom Udall, would withdraw roughly 101,000 acres, known as the Valle Vidal Unit, from mineral exploration or development. This includes patent under mining claims and mineral leases for geothermal or mining materials. Any valid existing rights would continue to be recognized; but if those rights were relinquished or bought out, that area would also be withdrawn from the mining laws.

This area is known for its recreation, namely, horseback riding and hiking, livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. Currently, the Forest Service is revising its management plan for the Carson National Forest and is likely, through public comment and collaboration, to withdraw mineral development in this area independent of the legislation. The area in question is entirely within Mr. Udall's district.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Speaker, as the majority explained, H.R. 3817 withdraws the 101,794-acre Valle Vidal parcel in the Carson National Forest in New Mexico from location, entry, and patent under mining laws.

The Valle Vidal compromises some of the finest scenic wildlife and outdoor recreational resources in New Mexico. It is the home to the largest herd of elk in New Mexico and draws hunters from throughout the United States.

The Valle Vidal also contains important fish habitat for species such at the Rio Grande cutthroat trout. The Valle Vidal, furthermore, contains the headwaters of several watersheds and is an important source of fresh water in New Mexico.

H.R. 3817 is supported by a wide coalition of groups in New Mexico, including local elected officials, chambers of commerce, hunters, conservation groups, and businesses.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate our colleague, Representative Tom Udall, who is the sponsor of H.R. 3817 and has worked tirelessly to craft and advance this legislation.

Madam Speaker, we support H.R. 3817.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the immediate en bloc consideration of the following bills reported out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee: Calendar Nos. 546, 557, 558, and 643, and that the Energy and Natural Resources Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 3817 and H.R. 2383, and the Senate proceed to their immediate consideration en bloc.

I ask unanimous consent the committee-reported amendments be agreed to, the bills, as amended, if amended, be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, all en bloc.