Contents

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PERSPECTIVE ..............................................................................4

SECTION 1 VALLES CALDERA ............................................................................................ 7

1.1 BACKGROUND.................................................................................................... 7

1.2 THE TRUST.........................................................................................................7

1.3 THE PRESERVE ..................................................................................................7

1.4 MANAGEMENT DIRECTION..............................................................................11

SECTION 2 FISCAL YEAR 2009 GOAL ATTAINMENT .......................................................15

2.1 ADMINISTRATIVE GOALS................................................................................. 15

2.2 COMMUNITY SERVICES.....................................................................................16

2.3 PRESERVE OPERATIONS...................................................................................16

2.4 PUBLIC ACCESS AND USE..................................................................................17

2.5 PLANNING...........................................................................................................18

SECTION 3 TRUST ADMINISTRATION .............................................................................. 19

3.1 ORGANIZATION..................................................................................................19

3.2 BOARD OF TRUSTEES........................................................................................20

3.3 BUDGET...............................................................................................................21

3.4 COMPLIANCE...................................................................................................... 21

3.5 COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING............................................................21

3.6 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY............................................................................ 22

SECTION 4 PRESERVE OPERATIONS .................................................................................24

4.1 RECREATION......................................................................................................24

4.2 LIVESTOCK PROGRAM.......................................................................................27

4.3 NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.............................................................29

4.4 PUBLIC ACCESS AND USE..................................................................................30

4.5 INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES............................................................... 30

4.6 HUNTING............................................................................................................ 31

SECTION 5 SCIENCE AND EDUCATION ............................................................................. 34

5.1 SCIENCE.............................................................................................................. 34

5.2 COMMUNITY SERVICES.....................................................................................38

SECTION 6 GOALS FISCAL YEAR 2010 ..............................................................................45

6.1 ADMINISTRATION............................................................................................. 45

6.2 COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING............................................................46

6.3 PRESERVE OPERATIONS...................................................................................48
6.4 SCIENCE.............................................................................................................. 50

SECTION 7 APPENDICES .................................................................................................... 56

7.1 SENATORS BINGAMAN AND UDALL LETTER................................................. 57

7.2 GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE AUDIT REPORT...................................58

7.3 VCT INFORMATIONAL LETTER........................................................................59

7.4 VCT SUGGESTED CHANGES TO ENABLING LEGISLATION.............................60

7.5 VCT RESPONSE TO GAO AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS.................................. 61

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VA L L E S CA L D E R A NA T I O N A L PR E S E R V E

“ ”

Date: December 21, 2009

File Code:ADMIN 6

Dear ,

The Valles Caldera Trust has reviewed the U.S. Government Accountability Office report 

entitled: “Valles Caldera: The Trust Has Made Progress but Faces Significant Challenges to 

Achieve Goals of the Preservation Act,” (GAO-10-84).

The report contains a recommendation for executive action and also reiterates the need for the 

Trust to fully implement recommendations from the GAO 2005 report. I have attached 

information relative to the Trust’s plan of action on these two issues. Similar letters are being 

sent to several members of Congress and other Federal officials.

If we can be of further service, please contact Gary Bratcher, Trust Executive Director, at 505-

428-7732.

Sincerely,

Stephen Henry

Chairman of the Board

Valles Caldera Trust
VA L L E S CA L D E R A NA T I O N A L PR E S E R V E

“ ”

The GAO report on the Valles Caldera Trust contains a recommendation for executive 

action and also “reiterates the need for the Trust to fully implement recommendations 

from our 2005 report, specifically, continue to develop – and systematically implement –

the following elements of effective management. 

1. a formal strategic plan that includes measurable goals and objectives

2. a plan, including planned timelines, for becoming financially self-sustaining

3. mechanisms for periodic monitoring and reporting of the Trust’s performance to 

Congress and other stakeholders

As stated in our communications with the GAO, this issue from 2005 has been declared a 

top priority for the Trust and will be fully complied with. However, we do not foresee 

achieving this compliance until Congress provides a clear definition as to the future of the 

Trust and the management regime to be responsible for the above listed activities.

The recommendation for executive action was as follows: “To help further the Trust’s 

efforts toward becoming a financially self-sustaining government corporation, we recommend 

that the Trust’s Chairman of the Board and Executive Director work with the relevant 

congressional committees to seek legislative remedies, as appropriate, for the legal challenges 

confronting the Trust.”

The Trust took action immediately after being told in June that the ambiguities of the Valles 

Caldera Preservation Act precluded being successful in achieving the goals and objectives 

of the Act. Frequent communication has been established with staff from our two Senators’ 

offices, information on the Trust has been provided to the senators, and Committee staff 

members have visited the Preserve to collect information needed. The Trust has also 

provided suggested legislative language changes to address the problems encountered in 

the Act and gave assistance to the National Park Service by providing information 

requested for their study on assimilating the Preserve into the National Park System.
IDENTICAL LETTERS SENT TO: 

The Honorable Joseph I. Lieberman 

Chairman 

Committee on Homeland Security 

 and Governmental Affairs 

United States Senate 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

The Honorable Susan M. Collins 

Ranking Minority Member 

Committee on Homeland Security 

 and Governmental Affairs 

United States Senate 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

The Honorable 

Chairman 

Committee on Homeland Security 

 and Governmental Affairs 

House of Representatives 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

 

The Honorable 

Ranking Minority Member 

Committee on Homeland Security 

 and Governmental Affairs 

House of Representatives 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

The Honorable Daniel Inouye 

Chairman 

Committee on Appropriations 

United States Senate 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

The Honorable Thad Cochran 

Ranking Minority Member 

Committee on Appropriations 

United States Senate 

Washington, D.C. 20510 

The Honorable David Obey 

Chairman 

Committee on Appropriations 

House of Representatives 
Washington, D.C. 20515 

The Honorable Jerry Lewis 

Ranking Minority Member 

Committee on Appropriations 

House of Representatives 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

The Honorable Nick J. Rahall II 

Chairman 

Committee on Natural Resources 

House of Representatives 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

The Honorable Doc Hastings

Ranking Minority Member 

Committee on Natural Resources 

House of Representatives 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

The Honorable Jeff Bingaman 

Chairman 

Committee on Energy and 

 and Natural Resources 

United States Senate 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

The Honorable Lisa Murkowski 

Ranking Minority Member 

Committee on Energy and 

 and Natural Resources 

United States Senate 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

The Honorable Gene Dodaro 

Acting Comptroller General 

United States Government 

 Accountability Office 

Washington, D.C. 20548