House OKs Purchase of New Mexico’s Baca Ranch

The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a plan to spend $101 million to purchase the 95,000-acre Baca Ranch--known as the “Yellowstone of the Southwest”--despite criticism that the price was too high.

Supporters exulted, saying the ranch is a natural jewel that should be protected and open to the public.

“There were more bumps and wiggles in the road than I expected,” said Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.), the sponsor of the measure. “It’s been a long slog, but it’s done, and I’m very happy.”

The House voted, 377 to 45, for the bill, which passed the Senate in April. President Clinton supports the purchase, and Rep. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) said White House officials told him the president may visit the ranch later this year.

Critics say the federal government is paying far too much for the ranch northwest of Santa Fe, which the late Texas oil tycoon James P. Dunigan bought for $2.1 million in 1962. During House debate Tuesday, Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. (R-Tenn.) called the purchase “a colossal rip-off of the taxpayers.”

Voting against the measure were 44 Republicans and one independent.

The Baca Ranch is almost completely surrounded by federal land, including the Santa Fe National Forest and Bandelier National Monument. It includes the Valles Caldera, a 1-million-year-old collapsed volcano measuring 14 miles across. It’s also home to one of the largest elk herds in the country, as well as fishing streams, hot springs, forested mountains and broad, grassy valleys.

Under the plan, the federal government would buy the ranch and open it to the public. A nine-member board of trustees, at least five of them New Mexicans, would manage it as a working ranch and try to make enough money to cover maintenance and operations.

“This is known as the Yellowstone of the Southwest. I think anybody in the country that is familiar with Yellowstone would appreciate what a treasure it is,” said Udall, whose district includes the ranch. “We have now protected that treasure for future generations.”