The Santa Fe National Forest's decision protects the unique thermal features in Valles Caldera National Preserve
The Santa Fe National Forest finalized a decision to prohibit energy development on 195,000 acres of land adjacent to Valles Caldera National Preserve. The lands have been under consideration since 2015 to be leased for geothermal development.
Valles Caldera National Preserve is one of the newest units in the National Park System and contains some of the most extensive geothermal activity in the West, including hot springs, bubbling mudpots and steaming fumaroles. The most active geothermal features in the caldera are on a 40-acre private inholding that NPCA, working with a conservation buyer, protected from additional development and is now working its way through a transfer of ownership to the Park Service.
From the Global Geothermal News archives:
- Monday, January 23, 2017 - USA, New Mexico: New Designation Would Further Protect Valles Caldera Geothermal Resources
- Wednesday, January 4, 2017 - USA, New Mexico: Valles Caldera Geothermal Resources Could be Put Off Limits
- Tuesday, July 19, 2016 - USA, New Mexico: Public Meetings on Possible Santa Fe Geothermal Energy Development
