Valles Caldera National Preserve. Photo Courtesy NPS

VALLES CALDERA NEWS

The National Park Service wants to hear from the public as it considers a zoning approach to help guide future planning and management decisions at Valles Caldera National Preserve.

“Public and tribal feedback and engagement are important at this early phase and will help guide how
we define and plan future management at Valles Caldera National Preserve,“ said Superintendent Jorge
Silva-Bañuelos. “Our goal is to preserve and protect fundamental resources and values within the park
while enhancing sustainable visitor access, experiences, and opportunities.”

Valles Caldera National Preserve created three draft zoning options to guide future planning and
management. Management zoning aims to balance how the park supports visitor services and
recreational opportunities with the stewardship of the special natural and cultural resources and values
that bring people to experience the park.

Zoning describes the desired future resource conditions and visitor experiences to be reached and
maintained in geographically distinct areas of a park. It includes considering the types of management
activities and visitor uses, and general types and levels of development that are appropriate and
compatible in a given area. Zoning does not propose specific developments; rather, it is used to guide
future planning and decision-making.

The park is planning two virtual townhall meetings on April 20 at 1:00 p.m. MT and April 22 at
5:30 p.m. MT to give the public a chance to ask questions and learn more. Additional information on this
zoning effort, and links to the public meetings can be accessed on the project website
at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/VALL_zoning.

The comment period runs April 9 – May 5. The public can submit their thoughts through the project
website.