Editorial: Trying to save a national treasure

Thursday, Aug. 27, 1998 | 10:14 a.m.

Congress is near an agreement that would preserve for future generations the 95,000-acre Baca Ranch in New Mexico. The ranch is so majestic in its beauty, and so representative of the West, that it is featured frequently in ads and billboards. As the New York Times noted Tuesday, the ranch is home to fir-covered mountains, hot springs, trout streams and pristine meadows for the state's largest elk herd.

The ranch, enveloped by the Santa Fe National Forest, has been in the hands of one family for 40 years. The family has given the federal government until the end of this year to come up with a plan to purchase the land. Otherwise, it might be sold to developers. Local zoning allows three-quarter acre lots which, if built, would destroy the land that has been called northern New Mexico's "Grand Canyon."

Western governors earlier this year urged Washington policymakers to make a 180-degree turn in their approach on the environment. Congress, these Westerners believe, should find common ground where it exists and put in place policies that balance the needs of the environment and business.

Many Republicans in Congress believe the federal government should be selling public lands in the West to private interests for development. But legislation sponsored by Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., would allow the U.S. Forest Service to buy the Baca Ranch and turn it into a park. Although the land would be owned by the Forest Service, the park would be managed by a trust, whose members the president would appoint. The trust would have to be sensitive to local issues and ensure the park is self-sustaining economically.

Congress should pass Domenici's common sense plan, which hopefully will serve as a future framework for national efforts to preserve the environment.