The National Park Service (NPS) invites public feedback on preliminary management ideas and concepts under consideration as part of a general management plan/development concept plan being developed for Valles Caldera National Preserve. The goal of this planning effort is to establish long-term direction for resource protection and visitor experiences at the park, as well as high-level concepts to guide potential future facility investments. The public engagement period for this initial stage of the planning effort will take place from May 8 to June 9, 2023, and include opportunities to submit written comments and learn more about the plan through open house events and online resources.

“Valles Caldera is still in its infancy as a unit of the national park system, and there is a lot of work to be done to create a quality national park experience that honors the place as well as the passions of the people who cherish it,” said Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos. “This is a critical step in making that experience a reality and will allow the park to make needed improvements and protect the values that make this landscape unique and inspiring.”

Open houses will be hosted in Española, Bernalillo, and Jemez Pueblo New Mexico, from May 22-24. For those unable to attend an in-person event, a virtual presentation of the initial planning efforts will be held on May 17. Each open house will feature information on different components of the plan and provide an opportunity for the public to engage with National Park Service staff and ask clarifying questions.

• Virtual | May 17, 2023| 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm MT
  Link to join the virtual meeting
• Española | May 22, 2023 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm MT
  Venue: Misión y Convento | 706 E Bond St. Española NM 87532  
• Bernalillo | May 23, 2023 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm MT
  Venue: El Zócalo Plaza | 264 S. Camino Del Pueblo, Bernalillo NM 87004  
• Jemez Pueblo | May 24, 2023 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm MT
  Venue: Walatowa Visitor Center | 7413 Highway 4, Jemez Pueblo NM 87024

Full meeting details, including schedule and venues, can also be accessed via the project webpage under the ‘Meeting Notices’ tab. A recording of the virtual presentation will remain available via the event link after the presentation has concluded. 

From May 8 to June 9, the public is invited to inform the planning process by submitting written feedback. Another opportunity for the public to learn about the various management ideas and concepts under consideration is through a digital storymap, accessible via the project webpage under ‘Open for Comment’. In seeking public input prior to initiating the National Environmental Policy Act process, the National Park Service can then refine, improve, and/or expand the various proposed ideas that will be included in the future environmental analysis.

Comments in English or Spanish can be submitted online on the project webpage (preferred) under ‘Open for Comment’, or mailed/delivered to the addresses below. Please ensure all comments are postmarked or delivered by June 9. The digital storymap and comment portal on the project webpage are in formats accessible to persons with disabilities.

Mail:

Valles Caldera National Preserve

ATTN: Brian SmithP.O. Box 359Jemez Springs, NM 87025

Hand Delivery:

Valles Caldera National Preserve

ATTN: Brian Smith90 Villa Louis Martin Jemez Springs, NM 87025

Project Webpage: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/VALL_GMP 

Original source can be found here.