An environmental assessment is being developed at Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico on proposed improvements to the visitor experience in the preserve's Valle Grande District.
There are two distinct areas of the preserve that currently receive the majority of visitation: 1) the entrance station area situated in the middle of the Valle Grande near Cerro La Jara along the main park entrance road; and 2) the Baca Ranch Cabin District located on the north side of the Valle Grande comprising the various former ranch buildings constructed during the period of private ownership.
The National Park Service is proposing to make the Cabin District more accessible to people with disabilities and facilitate visitors accessing this area without the need for a backcountry vehicle permit as is currently the case. The agency also is considering the creation of two parking areas near the cabin district, improvements to buildings to make them accessible to people with disabilities, the addition of new trails for public and administrative use in and around the Cabin District, an automatic gate that does not require visitors to get out of their vehicle to open and close, subsurface utility installation to existing historic and non-historic buildings, and trailhead kiosks at existing trails which would provide better information to visitors.
At the entrance station area, the Park Service is proposing to modify the VC01 entrance road to reroute one-way traffic into the entrance station parking area, redesign the existing parking lot to provide a lane that will direct inbound traffic through a new entrance booth, remove the existing livestock corrals, add two new electric vehicle charging stations in the parking area, and make accessibility improvements to the Entrance Station building and to entry and exit gates in this area.
These improvements would remain in place over the short-term foreseeable future as the park works on completing a General Management Plan and Front Country Development Concept Plan. It is estimated that some of these interim improvements could be in place for 5-10 years, and their benefits and impacts should be considered within that context. Once the park has solidified the long-term vision and direction for the management of this area, facilities could be retained, removed, relocated, or modified in accordance with the desired long-term plan.
Public comments on the proposal are being taken through November 9. You can find more details and leave your comments at this site.
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