13

INTRODUCTION

This chapter contains a description of the

actions and prescriptions proposed to resolve

issues and concerns under the three management alternatives for El Camino Real de Tierra

Adentro National Historic Trail (hereafter

referred to as “the NHT” and “the trail”). The

Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing the National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the

identification of a preferred alternative. 

PROCESS USED TO 

FORMULATE ALTERNATIVES

The public involvement process for this planning effort began with scoping meetings held in

June, July, and August 2001 in several communities along the trail. The BLM and NPS gathered

the wishes, concerns, and opportunities for the

NHT that were expressed during formal and

informal community and governmental meetings. Also collected were ideas that were mailed

or sent electronically. A series of meetings was

held in October 2001 to develop possibility

statements (the desired future condition) and

identify ways to achieve the desired conditions

for the NHT. The meetings were well attended,

and resulted in the formation of several community stakeholder groups. (See Appendix D

for a summary of the community meetings.)

After reviewing all of the information collected

at the community meetings, the planning team

developed draft versions of the purpose and

significance statements. Using the purpose and

significance statements, issue summary and

information gathered during the community,

tribal, and governmental meetings, the team

developed draft alternative strategies to achieve

desired conditions, set goals, and resolve issues

and concerns. Three alternatives are presented

here: A Preferred Alternative, which represents

the actions recommended for implementation

by the planning team, in consultation with the

public; Alternative A, the “no-action alternative,” which would continue existing management actions on public lands and which would

not encourage development of visitor opportunities on non-federally managed lands; and

Alternative B, which would focus on protecting

historic resources, with off-site interpretation

opportunities, but with few opportunities for

trail-based recreational activities. The Preferred

Alternative would emphasize visitor understanding and appreciation of the Trail’s significance, protection of high-potential sites and

segments, and opportunities for trail-based

recreational opportunities.

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT 

ELIMINATED FROM DETAILED STUDY

No additional alternatives were identified or

considered by the public or study team.

CONTINUING MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE

Management of BLM-administered public

lands is directed by federal laws, regulations,

policy and guidelines, Executive orders, and

planning documents developed with public

involvement to focus on specific areas,

resources, or uses. Land use allocation decisions

are made at the Resource Management Plan

level. Changes to land use allocations require a

plan amendment. Components of the Preferred

Alternative and Alternative B, as described

below, relating to visual resource classifications,

would amend the Taos, Mimbres and White

Sands Resource Management Plans.

Chapter 2

ALTERNATIVES
14 CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES

Grandfathered and valid existing rights would

continue to be recognized on public lands.

The impacts of specific projects proposed for

public lands will be evaluated and addressed

through Environmental Assessments (EAs) and

Best Management Practices (BMPs) as these

projects are proposed. The project planning and

EA/BMP development will consider and conform with existing agreements between BLM

and appropriate state and county agencies for

addressing non-point source water pollution

issues, air quality, weed control efforts, and

other natural resources, historic, and cultural

resources.

High-potential historic sites and segments are

referenced in the Preferred Alternative and

Alternative B. Known high-potential historic

sites are shown on Maps 3A-C, and listed in

Appendix E. The historic sites were identified

based upon the following definition derived

from the National Trails System Act: “Those

historic sites related to the route, or sites in

close proximity thereto, which provide opportunity to interpret the historic significance of

the trail during the period of its major use.”

Criteria for consideration as high-potential sites

include historic significance, presence of visible

historic remnants, scenic quality, and relative

freedom from intrusion. Future research will

identify and provide confirming information for

possible additional high-potential sites. Known

high-potential route segments are described in

Appendix F. The segments were identified

based upon the following definition from the

National Trails System Act: “Those segments of

a trail which would afford a high-quality recreation experience in a portion of the route having greater than average scenic values or affording an opportunity to vicariously share the

experience of the original users of a historic

route.” See Table 3 for a summary of highpotential route mileage.

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE: 

DESCRIPTION

The Preferred Alternative would implement the

provisions of the National Trails System Act and

it would also reflect the public’s vision for the

administration and management of the trail.

Camino Real Administration and its partners

would undertake an ambitious program to

enhance and balance resource preservation and

visitor use. These actions would satisfy the dual

purposes of the National Trails System Act “to

provide for the outdoor recreation needs of an

expanding population” and “to promote the

preservation of, public access to, travel within,

and enjoyment and appreciation of the openair outdoor areas and historic resources of the

nation.”

In order to accomplish the desired degree of

resource protection and enhanced public experience through education and direct retracing of

trail segments, it is imperative for all agencies

and entities associated with these trails to coordinate their work. Camino Real Administration

would strive to achieve as high a level of cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies,

trail associations, and private landowners as

possible. Together, Camino Real Administration

and its partners would establish a historic trails

partnership to assist in implementing a comprehensive strategy for the administration of the

NHT.

To ensure increased efficiency, closer communications, and more strategic resource protection, current federal programs would continue

to be used in the administration of trail

resources, but in a more formally coordinated

and effective manner.

Visitors would understand the trail’s significance and appreciate its history and cultural

heritage through participation in coordinated

programming and activities that integrate

themes, resources, and landscapes at certified or

protected components. Resources that best

illustrate the trail’s significance would be identified and protected on both public and private

lands (high-potential historic sites and segments). Integrated interpretive and educational

programming would be tied to on-the-ground

trail resources. Information concerning trailrelated interpretive/educational programming

and activities would be promoted and shared.

Certification priorities would be placed upon
Preferred Alternative: Description 15

sites and segments supporting interpretive/educational programming and protecting significant

resources. A bi-national approach with Mexico

would promote activities such as interpretation,

events, and signage.

The mission of the National Historic Trail and

the Camino Real International Heritage Center

are closely linked. The Heritage Center would

serve as a focal point for education, interpretation, information, and marketing along with

others along the trail. The National Historic

Trail and the International Heritage Center

would have a close working relationship that

complements each other's mission.

Preferred Alternative: Administration

Administration - As directed by the Secretary

of the Interior, BLM and NPS would co-manage the NHT. Camino Real Administration of

the trail would occur from a centralized office

based in Santa Fe, NM, taking advantage of

interdisciplinary subject-matter experts in the

NPS’s Long Distance Trails Group Office and

the BLM’s Division of Resource Planning, Use,

and Protection. This would also allow for the

equitable distribution of agency efforts along

the 404 miles of the trail. The NPS Long

Distance Trails Group Office would provide

support services, and the BLM New Mexico

State Office would provide communications

(computer electronic mail, telephone services),

office supplies, mail, photocopying, and graphics. Professional and support staff would

encompass several disciplines, including

resource management, interpretation, and

design.

Information Repository - Camino Real

Administration office would become the central

repository for all information related to the

administration of the trail. All the partners

would be encouraged to submit copies of all

pertinent documentation to this office, which

would make these materials available upon

request. When resource threats became known,

information would be shared by all federal,

state, and local partners, as well as by the trail

associations.

Annual Operating Costs - The estimated

annual operating costs for Camino Real

Administration office to administer the trail

would be $475,000, based on 2002 dollars. This

amount would provide for co-administrators,

administrative support, and interdisciplinary

staff, including interpretation and resource

management. This amount would be used for

site certification, cooperative agreements, technical assistance, partner support, travel,

Challenge Cost-Share projects and support, and

special projects such as mapping and media

production. Operational costs such as trail

marking, brochure development and printing,

newsletters, and other publications and interpretive media would also be covered. BLM and

NPS would support efforts to enable a coordinated budget process for the NHT.

Funding - Funding for Camino Real

Administration office would principally come

from the base operation budget of NPS and

BLM. Special funding sources would be sought

for particular projects, such as technical assistance, resource preservation, and planning.

Coordination of Activities - Successful

administration of the trail will require enhancing and more effectively coordinating the activities of a trail association; private landowners;

and federal, state, and local agencies. Efficient

cooperation would result in a historic trail partnership that would assist in implementing the

comprehensive strategy for resource protection.

Federal-level Partners - Federal agencies

would manage their lands for the protection

and interpretation of trail-related resources.

Use of trail-related resources would be restricted to necessary protection and monitoring

activities. Interpretation and public appreciation

of the resources would be encouraged through

site displays, activities, and educational opportunities.

State-level Partners and Tribal PartnersState and tribal resource management agencies,

including state and tribal historic preservation

offices, museums, libraries and archives, archeological and historic research units, and other

appropriate agencies would support ongoing

trail preservation efforts by assisting with the
16 CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES

various elements of the protection plan, particularly the identification of high-potential sites

and segments, the inventory of trail resources,

the identification of research needs and the

coordination of research projects, the identification of management units, and opportunities

for interpretation and visitor understanding.

These management agencies would also help

monitor commemorative events and develop

action plans to address potential threats.

Local-level Partners - Initiatives at the local

level could greatly enhance trail resource protection. These initiatives might include commenting on utility licensing, cell towers, surface

and subsurface mineral extraction permits, cultural and natural resource preservation laws,

ordinances, and related measures. Counties and

cities would be encouraged to support resource

protection by integrating nearby NHT designations in local land management and interpretive

plans. For example, farmland at certain points

along the routes of the trails might meet the

requirements for agricultural preservation zones

established under state or county regulations.

These preservation zones have been set up to

keep prime farmland assessed at a low valuation

or in active agricultural production, or to keep

grazing land in continued use. Efforts by local

governments and private parties to acquire land

would be essential tools for preserving trail

resources. These efforts would supplement land

protection efforts by federal agencies.

Non-governmental Organization Partners -

Land preservation groups would also be

encouraged to work closely with state and federal agencies to preserve undeveloped areas

while maintaining such areas under private

ownership. Owners and communities could

both benefit from potential tax advantages

available through cooperative efforts to preserve open space. Lands would remain on the

local tax rolls, but would be taxed at the lower

undeveloped-parcel rate. Thus, landowners

would not be forced by rising taxable property

values to sell to developers or to subdivide and

develop land that was suitable for farming or

ranching. Working with land preservation

groups, such as The Nature Conservancy, could

provide a great opportunity to preserve trail

resources. The acquisition of properties, purchases of conservation easements, or other

arrangements could produce important results.

Trail Association - A trail association would

be essential for the successful administration of

the NHT. An association such as El Camino

Real de Tierra Adentro Association would provide a powerful and effective constituency for

trail resource preservation. Association support

and involvement would be an essential element

of the historic trails partnership. A trail association would be encouraged to assist Camino Real

Administration by sharing information on historic routes, significant historic archeological

resources, historic diaries, and other pertinent

data. A trail association could further help land

managers in the administration of the trail by

creating cooperating associations, friends

groups, or similar organizations to help protect

and enhance lands under the jurisdiction of

these federal agencies. This organization could

also encourage volunteer activity to assist with

trail corridor monitoring, and protection and

interpretation, and they could help build greater

public support for historic trail preservation and

use, as well as persuading local landowners who

own significant trail resources to participate in

the trails’ certification program. A trail association would also be encouraged to assist federal,

state, and local parks and museums in acquiring

important objects for their collections, such as

journals, letters, and travelers’ personal effects.

Recognition Programs - Such programs

would also be an important tool for rewarding

special partners, and would provide an incentive for others to join in the cooperative effort.

Trail Mapping - Currently, paper maps exist

at varying scales ranging from 1:24,000 to

1:1,000,000. As part of this alternative,

Geographic Information System (GIS) maps

would continue to be generated at 1:100,000

scale, with protection sites and segments identified for each quadrangle. Even though the digitized routes and some of the site locations have

not been field-tested, this effort constitutes the

first attempt to bring together route information

for this trail. Maps at this scale are limited in

their locational accuracy for trail resources and

their applicability for on-the-ground management, yet the mapping project demonstrates the
Preferred Alternative: Description 17

need to systematize current information and to

make it available to all the partners and other

interested parties.

Effectively integrating GIS into the management

of NHT resources requires long-term technical

support, with additional funding and staffing.

The database generated for this project can be

effectively integrated with databases from other

agencies and partners to provide easy access to

one reliable source of information for all trailrelated resources.

Camino Real Administration would require

long-term technical support to develop a GIS

database. Obtaining GIS information would be a

priority. Professional support for the GIS database for the trails would be provided by Camino

Real Administration staff, or by specialists

under contract. This would not only require

GIS professionals, but computer workstations

equipped with appropriate software.

Memorandum of Understanding -

Cooperative actions related to the

Memorandum of Understanding (2001) among

the NPS, BLM, USDA Forest Service, Federal

Highways Administration, and National

Endowment for the Arts would emphasize a

concerted effort on the part of trail managers to

effectively implement as many provisions as

possible.

Cooperative Management Agreements -

Camino Real Administration would develop

memorandums of understanding, cooperative

agreements, and interagency agreements. A

cooperative agreement among the federal agencies would be developed and implemented that

specifically related to the trail.(See sample

agreement in Appendix I.)

Site Certification - National Historic Trails

identify high-potential historic sites and segments. Those portions of the trail that are under

federal ownership are recognized as official

protection components of the NHT. Privatelyowned high-potential historic sites and segments can also be recognized through the site

certification process. The certification program

is one of the most important ways in which federal administering agencies can foster partnerships with non-federal landowners throughout

the trail corridor. Certification agreements are

written and agreed upon by the private

landowner and the Camino Real Administration

Office to preserve, interpret, and provide for

public access to high-potential historic sites and

segments. The certification program is an

entirely voluntary one; although property owners can benefit from the availability of challenge

cost-share funds, agency expertise, and the

increased awareness of their resources by the

public, property owners are not obliged to enter

into certification agreements. 

Camino Real Administration will build and

maintain a database of high-potential historic

sites and segments. A sample certification

agreement is in Appendix I.

Under this alternative, certification emphasis

would be directed toward protection and interpretation. The proposed certification process

for El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro NHT is

as follows:

• Camino Real Administration would pursue early coordination with potential

applicants to ensure that they fully

understand site/segment certification

procedures, and to aid in their application efforts.

• Applicants would be required to document their resources and interpretive

programs. Environmental or other compliance procedures would have to be

completed.

• Camino Real Administration would provide technical assistance on issues related

to cultural or natural resource compliance.

• Camino Real Administration and the

applicants would determine management

objectives for the site/segment, and

management responsibilities would be

outlined. For smaller sites/segments, the

application could replace more detailed

management planning and formal cooperative agreements.
18 CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES

• In addition to historic sites and segments, extant interpretive facilities

would be certified as components of the

NHT. Potential facilities include, but are

not limited to, the Geronimo Springs

Museum in Truth or Consequences,

New Mexico; National Hispanic Cultural

Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico;

New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage

Museum in Las Cruces; and El Camino

Real International Heritage Center south

of Socorro, New Mexico.

On completion of official certification, the public would be informed through appropriate trail

information programs that the site or segment

was available for public use and enjoyment.

Certification is not permanent; it can be

renewed subject to satisfactory performance of

the terms of the agreement. De-certification

would result in the removal of a site or segment

from trail information programs and the

removal of trail logo markers. Other actions

might be taken as well, depending on the terms

of certification.

Challenge Cost-Share Programs - Challenge

cost-share programs were developed to

increase and strengthen partnerships in the

preservation and improvement of cultural, natural, and recreational resources for which federal land-managing agencies are responsible.

Each agency’s program is slightly different.

Camino Real Administration would provide

federal cost-sharing funds according to policy

and regulation to expedite and complete mutually beneficial projects. The program requires

the partner to provide matching share contributions, such as funds, equipment, supplies, and

in-kind labor, from non-federal sources.

Partners include non-federal entities such as

individuals, educational institutions, private

non-profit organizations, philanthropic organizations, charitable groups, or non-federal (i.e.,

state, local, or tribal) agencies or governments.

The current maximum amount that can be

awarded to a project in any given year is

$30,000.

Public Awareness - Raising public awareness

about trails, and building support for their continued protection would continue to be important goals of the trail partners. The higher level

of cooperation between Camino Real

Administration and its partners under this

alternative would allow for new and better

opportunities to achieve these goals.

Some of the following proposals and opportunities would go beyond those that could be

achieved under current management conditions.

NHT Website - This Internet website would

provide news and information on the Camino

Real NHT, and it would be shared by the various trails organizations and any affected federal

or state agencies that wished to participate.

Specific items available to users of the website

would include: information on certified sites

and segments, auto tour routes, historic-trail

and auto tour, interpretive materials and programs, resource threats, and trail-related special

events. This site would link to other Camino

Real and appropriate tourism and visitor information websites.

Trail Promotion - Camino Real Administration would encourage the development of a

promotion plan to foster public awareness of

the trail and its resources. This action would be

consistent with the intent of the National Trails

System Act to “provide for the ever-increasing

outdoor recreation needs of an expanding

population” and “the enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air outdoors areas and historic resources of the Nation.” Recreational

opportunities for visitors would be coordinated

in a trail promotional strategy with local,

regional, and state tourism bureaus. Local

chambers of commerce, convention and visitor

bureaus, and other interested parties would be

encouraged to work together in the development of a tourism plan.

If interest were strong, Camino Real Administration would encourage the establishment of

an interstate trail-promotion task force. Its role

would be to promote appropriate activities and

events along the NHT to local and state communities, as well as to out-of-state and foreign

visitors. If established, Camino Real Administration would negotiate an agreement with the

task force to address how the agency and the
Preferred Alternative: Description 19

task force could assist one another. Actions that

might be undertaken by Camino Real

Administration include the following:

• Coordinate interpretive efforts with the

promotional activities of the task force.

• Provide assistance so that the task force

would have accurate information for

promotional efforts.

• Provide the task force with trail

brochures or other materials.

• Inform task force members how to

obtain permission to use the official trail

marker symbol for appropriate purposes.

Actions that might be undertaken by the task

force to assist Camino Real Administration

include the following:

• Assist the land- managing entities to

encourage visitor respect for the appropriate use of trail resources, especially

those on private property

• Help control trail and site promotion to

protect less developed or fragile

resources from overuse and adverse

impacts.

• Help protect and enhance visual quality

along the trail.

The task force would work to promote the

NHT as a single, integrated trail system. Within

that overall system, the task force might also

provide for a coordinated series of regionally

oriented auto tour-route brochures that provide visitors with more detailed information

about activities and support services. A videotape or slide show could be produced to interpret the trails and related sites for use at travel

shows, group meetings, schools, and other

occasions.

In cooperation with local managers, Camino

Real Administration might authorize the limited

use of trail markers for select special events, if

the event would help advance the objectives of

the trails in a substantial way and if there were

no liability consequences.

Camino Real Administration would encourage

all NHT advocates to stress trail protection and

conservation in their promotions. Local promotional efforts might involve state historic

register plaques, plaques for local historic sites,

walking or driving tours of state and local areas

of interest, and special events fashioned around

themes relating to the NHT.

Corporations might be encouraged to “adopta-site,” contributing funding and volunteers to

work on resource preservation, to develop sites,

and to promote high-potential sites or segments. Such sponsors would be expected to

adhere to all local management and NPS and

BLM standards for development and interpretation, and to comply with federal resource

preservation statutes.

Volunteers and Liability - Federal partners

would develop a coordinated program to

enhance the efficiency of volunteer activities.

Volunteers would be of particular assistance in

protecting NHT resources by entering data and

updating information related to the trail’s

RMPs. They could also assist with NHT marking and with other activities associated with the

administration and protection of trail resources.

The Volunteers in the Parks and in the Forests

Act of 1969 and the Volunteer Protection Act of

1997 would continue to provide a means for the

federal government to protect cooperating

landowners and other partners from liability

claims.

Trail Marking / Signage - Camino Real

Administration and its partners would cooperate to complete a sign plan for certified sites,

segments, and federal protection components.

This plan would enable NHT administration

and partners to reduce the amount of existing

sign clutter, and would ensure that new signs

were placed in appropriate locations. The plan

would also foster the use of consistent materials

and designs (see Appendix G).

Research - A research-needs plan will be

developed by Camino Real scholars to direct

future historical, social, and route location

aspects of the NHT.
Petroglyphs along Camino Real.
See 

Eb Chapter 2:

Auto Tour Route

HighpPotential Historic

Sites

Maps 3A through 3G

Preferred Alternative: Description 35

Preferred Alternative : 

Resource Protection

Resource protection objectives and actions

would include the following:

High-Potential Historic Sites and Segments -

Section 5 of the National Trails System Act

requires “a protection plan for any high-potential historic sites or high-potential route segments.” Protection actions and plans for particular resources will be developed as part of

future plan implementation efforts. Elements to

be included in protection plans were described

earlier in this document. These include the

development of federal, state, and local partners, including the Trail Association, recognition programs, trail mapping, site certification,

and increasing public awareness of trail

resources, as well as specific physical protection

measures. Protection through this management

plan would be limited largely to the identification of sites and segments, with general recommendations for their administration. The following criteria, based on the National Register

of Historic Places and the National Trails

System Act, would be used to identify additional

resources:

• Significance to the trail (based on documentation and/or archeological

research)

• Integrity of the physical remains

• Integrity and quality of the setting

• Opportunity for high-quality recreation

evoking the historic trail experience

• Opportunity to interpret the primary

period of trail use

Camino Real Administration would gather new

information on additional high-potential historic sites and segments, and would cooperate

with other federal managers, trail associations,

trail scholars, and state historic preservation

offices in adding, deleting, or modifying the list

of sites. The criteria used to identify the initial

list of high-potential historic sites would also be

used to make these changes. In addition,

Camino Real Administration would work with

interested trail associations to convene representatives of the various historic trail communities, as well as federal, state, and local managers,

state historic preservation offices, and individual scholars, to review and make recommendations regarding additions, deletions, and modifications to the lists of high-potential sites and

segments.

Some trail resources might not meet the criteria

for inclusion on the lists of high-potential sites

and segments. Their visual integrity might be

compromised, they might have incomplete historic documentation, or there might not be

enough evidence to assess their significance. As

the status of these resources is reassessed or

clarified, they could be considered for additional protection measures.

Non-Federal Lands - High-potential historic

sites and segments would be proactively managed by willing owners in partnership with trail

administrators. Protection on private lands

would be accomplished through a variety of

means, including, but not limited to: certification, cooperative agreements, easements, local

regulations, and fee simple purchases or

exchange by willing sellers where lands could be

efficiently managed. A site steward program

could provide for the active monitoring and

patrolling of certified sites and segments, and

sites and segments on BLM-administered lands.

Protection efforts would help ensure that

resources related to the NHT are preserved and

sections of the historic route are maintained as

natural or cultural landscapes. Camino Real

Administration would encourage management

of the historic and recreational trail routes to

preserve scenic values and qualities, thereby

helping to ensure high-quality recreational and

interpretive experiences. Camino Real

Administration would encourage protection of

the remaining historic landscape settings that

are not now protected under federal, state, or

local management, in cooperation with land

managers along the route and with the review of

the state historic preservation offices.
36 CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES

An interdisciplinary research program would be

coordinated to support visitor use and interpretive/educational programming and activities.

Camino Real Administration would continue to

inventory and analyze cultural and natural

resources along the trail route to determine

appropriate preservation techniques and the

potential to accommodate visitor use and interpretation. Priorities would be established for

protecting additional sites, trail segments, scenic

and natural values according to their significance, potential for visitor use, contribution to

linking trail segments, interpretive value, and

threats to integrity.

Due to the complex landownership crossing

through both rural and urban areas, resource

protection techniques would vary from area to

area and between the states of New Mexico and

Texas. Ties would be established with local

agencies and support groups to monitor activities along the route. Several resource protection

techniques are available to address goals and

objectives for the NHT, as addressed above in

the “Administration” section.

Public Lands - Routes (areas) on BLMadministered lands where the physical integrity

of high-potential sites and segments and the

surrounding visible landscape would be negatively impacted would be closed. No specific

route closures are proposed under this alternative. Although no immediate threats have been

identified OHV designations will be reviewed in

the upcoming RMP revisions or upgrades.

Those areas on BLM-administered lands that

are visible within approximately 5 miles of highpotential sites and segments, and also in relatively undisturbed areas, would be designated

Visual Resource Management (VRM) Class II as

shown on Maps 4A-C and 5 (see Appendix H

for management class definitions). Five (5) miles

is considered the foreground/middle-ground

visual zone. Approximately 903 acres of VRM

Class III and 97,873 acres of VRM Class IV

within the La Jornado del Muerto area would

be converted to VRM Class II; 998 acres in the

Santa Fe River canyon area that are currently

unclassified would be converted to VRM Class

II (see Maps 4 and 5). These changes in VRM

classes would amend the Taos and Mimbres,

and White Sands Resource Management Plans.

The area surrounding the International

Heritage Center would continue to be managed

under VRM Class I and II guidelines.

Monitoring Sites - Under this alternative,

there would be scheduled site monitoring of

high-potential or other important sites on

BLM-administered lands and certified sites by

agency personnel.

Inventory and Research - A coordinated

research program would be conducted to support preservation activities, and for media in

support of off-site understanding (such as oral

histories). Camino Real Administration would

continue to inventory and analyze cultural and

natural resources along the trail route to determine appropriate preservation techniques.

Priorities would be established for protecting

additional sites, trail segments, scenic and natural values according to their significance, contribution to linking trail segments, and threats to

integrity. Camino Real Administration will build

and maintain a database of potential highpotential sites and segments. Camino Real

Administration would work with appropriate

technical staff to incorporate the databases generated during the course of the planning process

into the GIS system used to map the routes and

trail resources.

Carrying Capacity - The National Trails

System Act requires that comprehensive management and use plans provide “an identified

carrying capacity of the trail and a plan for its

implementation.” This provision of the legislation has not been implemented in individual

plans. To do so would require an agreement

among the partners about what constitutes a

trail resource and about a methodology to

assess carrying capacity, as well as a high level of

coordination and cooperation among the managers of trail resources. In addition, due to the

site-specific nature of visitor use along a NHT,

it would not be feasible to prescribe a trail-wide

carrying capacity. There are currently no plans

to carry out this type of analysis.
Preferred Alternative: Description 37

Preferred Alternative : 

Visitor Experience

There would be a unified effort by Camino Real

Administration and partners to provide a developed, coordinated visitor experience along El

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro NHT. The visitor experience would be comprised of activities

and programming emphasizing the trail’s significance, history, and natural and cultural heritage. Visitors would be able to participate in

coordinated programming that brings themed

interpretation/education together with trail

resources and landscapes—on the ground along

the NHT at federal protection components and

certified sites, segments, and interpretive facilities (for examples, see Chapter 3). The availability and number of options for trail-related

facilities, media, and interpretive/educational

programming would increase through strong

partnerships.

Recreation - Under this alternative, recreational activities with interpretive and/or educational components would be encouraged and

supported on the NHT. Companion trails for

hiking, biking, or horseback use would be

established on appropriate trail segments. These

would offer representative experiences of original trail travelers in settings similar to those

once existing along the Camino Real.

Trail-related recreational uses would be

encouraged through directional and interpretive

signage and brochures. Kiosks, trailheads, and

trails to support recreation development would

be encouraged, and access to the trail route or

viewpoints would be developed. Messages

regarding responsible recreation on public lands

and respect for private landownership would be

emphasized and supported.

• Auto Tour Route - An auto tour route

generally following the course of the

Camino Real would be developed to

encourage visitation and promote the

trail, and to provide a “user-friendly”

avenue for visitors to find trail-related

resources. This activity would occur on

all-weather roads for two-wheel-drive

use year-round. Highway and road signs

would identify the route, and maps

would be provided for visitors. An array

of accompanying interpretive materials

would be provided, including tourroute guides identifying trail-related

resources and interpretive facilities.

Camino Real Administration would

consult with the state departments of

transportation in both New Mexico and

Texas, and would coordinate the auto

tour route’s development in partnership

with tourism, historic preservation

agencies and groups, chambers of commerce, and other civic organizations.

Close coordination would also take

place with New Mexico State Highway

and Transportation Department and

Texas Department of Transportation

with respective scenic byway programs.

The route would be identified subsequently on state and commercial highway maps.

• Special Events - Special and cultural

events directly tied to trail significance

would be promoted and supported. The

NHT logo could be used on a requestpermission basis in association with such

events.

Proposed projects on BLM-administered lands

in New Mexico fall on the Jornada del Muerto

section of the trail. These projects include:

• I-25 at Upham Exit - A small pullout

parking area would be developed along

the county road, and information would

be provided about travel conditions to

the north. Visitors would be alerted that

travel on the county road is not recommended for trailers over 15 feet, motor

homes, or low-clearance vehicles, and

that no water or other services are available for 35 miles. 

• San Diego - The Paraje de San Diego is

the southernmost camping site in the

Jornada del Muerto. The Cerro San

Diego was a landmark on the trail. A

pullout parking area with interpretive

signs would be developed on a county
38 CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES

road away from the site. A trail would be

developed to a short segment of the

Camino Real, just north of the Detroit

Well site. Interpretation of San Diego

could also be offered at the Interstate 25

rest stop.

• Ojo de Perrillo/Point of Rocks - The

paraje of Perrillo got its name from a

dog sighting during the Oñate expedition in May 1598. Its muddy feet indicated nearby water. A pullout parking area

would be developed, with a short trail

with interpretive signs to an overlook of

the paraje area.

• Yost Escarpment - There are Camino

Real trail ruts in this area. A pullout

parking area would be developed. A

short trail with interpretive signs would

lead to an overlook of the ruts.

• Companion Trail - A 5- to 10-mile companion trail for hiking, biking, and

horseback riding could be developed in

the Jornada, parallel to the Camino Real

along a county road. Safety and interpretive messages would be provided. This

development would be demand-driven

only.

• Teypama Site - A pullout parking area

would be developed with interpretive

signs near the pueblo ruin.

• La Cieneguilla - The BLM is currently

working with community members and

North American Indian Pueblos to plan

for visitor use and resource protection at

the site. No actions are proposed at this

time in connection with the NHT.

Interpretation/Education - Under this alternative, trail-related interpretation and education opportunities would emphasize the full

range of interpretive themes. Development of

new facilities such as visitor centers or museums

by the private sector would be supported.

Interpretive and education programs currently

being provided along the trail would continue

and be strengthened, and new interpretive and

educational programming would be developed

and provided on federal protection components, and at certified sites, segments, and

interpretive facilities. New kiosks and trailheads

along interpretive trails would be encouraged to

support recreation development. Trail guides

would identify and interpret Camino Real

resources. 

Interpretive Themes: The establishment of

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro NHT provides an opportunity to interpret and educate

visitors to the rich history of New Mexico and

western Texas in relation to the Camino Real.

Historic sites and interpretive facilities along the

trail can tell stories that illustrate the evolving

relationship between landscape and cultures. 

Themes are the key ideas for visitor understanding of the trail’s history and significance.

They serve as broad unifying concepts about the

trail that form the foundation of interpretive

and educational programs and media. They will

apply regardless of the agency, organization,

group, or individual responsible for developing

interpretive and educational materials in association with the NHT.

The following themes are not a comprehensive

listing of possible interpretive topics, and are

not in any priority order. Under the Preferred

Alternative, an overview of all the themes would

be presented to visitors through a variety of

educational programs and interpretive media

and programs.

• For centuries, indigenous peoples used

trails linking Pueblo and other tribal villages for trade, agriculture, and exchange

of food; the Camino Real incorporated

portions of these trails thus continuing

patterns of human interaction.

• The Camino Real was the primary route

for the settlement, trade, conquest, military operations, and supply of northern

Mexico and the southwestern United

States for more than 300 years; the people who traveled this lifeline between

Mexico City and northern New Mexico

changed the course of North American

history and culture.
Preferred Alternative: Description 39

• The Pueblo peoples of the Río Grande

Valley were transformed through contact

with European diseases, religion, warfare, material culture, and domestic

crops and animals introduced via the

Camino Real.

• The physical nature of the trail routing

evolved with time due to weather and

river movement, as well as with changing

conditions and the needs of north-south

trade and traffic; today, remaining evidence of Camino Real routes reflects

both past use and the on-going shifting

of landscape.

• The Camino Real facilitated cultural

exchange and change among North

American Indians, Spaniards, Mexicans,

and Anglos, and represents the shared

patrimony of nations and cultures.

• Human activity, movement, and settlement along the Camino Real forever

altered the physical environment of the

Río Grande Valley and uplands.

• Activities and personal interaction along

the Camino Real (Interstate 25) continue

to eliminate cultural barriers and enrich

the lives of people on both sides of the

American/Mexican border.

• Camino Real resources link the past with

the present; tangible artifacts, structures,

and landscapes, together with intangible

aspects of cultural heritage and cultural

heritage and community lifeways, represent fragile connections that require vigilance and foresight to protect, preserve,

and perpetuate for the generations to

come.

In this alternative, all the themes would be

emphasized and would be presented to visitors

through a variety of educational programs and

interpretive media and programs.

A multi-national approach (American,

Mexican, and possibly Spanish) to interpretation would be taken. Multiple points of view

and perspectives would be presented, and

wherever possible, interpretive messages would

be presented in both the Spanish and English

languages.

Interpretive Media: Under this alternative

interpretive media would be developed through

coordinated, collaborative efforts (Camino Real

Administration and partners) to interpret all of

the trail’s themes and promote visitor understanding of the trail’s significance and resources.

Media would be provided at federal protection

components, as well as certified sites, segments,

and interpretive facilities off the trail. Use of a

wide range of media (including oral histories)

would be encouraged to engage visitors and

stimulate interest in the trail and its history: 

• Audiovisual Media - Appropriate

audiovisual productions would be used

to orient visitors to the NHT and its

resources. Camino Real Administration

would lend assistance to partners proposing to develop new audiovisual programs to be presented on federal protection components, and at certified

sites, segments, and interpretive facilities. These programs would present

aspects of the trail’s themes best conveyed by this media type.

• Indoor Exhibits - Museum and visitor

center exhibits would assist with providing visitors with context and meanings associated with the Camino Real’s

significance and resources. Camino Real

Administration would provide interpretive assistance for the development of

any new or revised exhibits on federal

protection components, and at certified

sites, segments, and interpretive facilities. Exhibit text would provide an

overall view of all the trail’s themes.

• Wayside Exhibits - Under this alternative, Camino Real Administration would

support an interpretive wayside exhibit

system for use at appropriate places on

the NHT. The use of a standardized

exhibit design (following wayside

exhibit guidelines and standards) would
40 CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES

reflect the flavor of the Camino Real,

and would promote the integration of

interpretive messages offered along the

NHT. The Camino Real’s name and

logo would be used on all NHT-related

wayside exhibits. Camino Real

Administration would coordinate with

private landowners and public land

managers to promote the development

of a consistent wayside exhibit system to

blend with existing signs.

• Traveling Exhibits - Traveling exhibits

would be developed to present various

interpretive and educational materials

off-site. Under this alternative, traveling

exhibits would offer an overview of the

trail’s themes, and would reach many

people beyond the bi-state area.

• Publications - Camino Real

Administration and partners would

develop brochures and other publications. An overview of all the trail’s

themes would be provided. An official

map and guide would be developed to

provide overall orientation and information about the significance and

resources of the NHT.

• Websites - The development of new

interpretive websites about the Camino

Real would be encouraged, and all the

trail’s themes would be emphasized.

New site development would be coordinated to prevent repetitive information; extant sites would remain on-line.

A possibility exists for the development

of a website that centralizes educational

resources along the trail.

• Interpretive Facilities - Camino Real

Administration would not construct or

operate facilities. However, the BLM

and the Museum of New Mexico State

Monuments Division will continue to

develop a new interpretive facility—El

Camino Real International Heritage

Center—currently nearing completion

south of Socorro, New Mexico. The

Center will offer interpretive media and

educational programs about the trail.

The heritage center is a separate, but

complementary project, and will serve as

a focal point for trail-related interpretation and education with emphasis on the

southern portion of the trail.

• Programs - Support would be provided

for developing new interpretive programs to bring together themes,

resources, and landscapes for visitor

understanding. The possibilities for

theme-related programs to be available

both on and off the trail are endless.

Hands-on activities directly tied to

trail-related resources on federal protection components, and at certified

sites, segments, and interpretive facilities, would be emphasized and supported.

Community Involvement - Opportunities to

engage community people along the Camino

Real in cultural education and interpretation

would include:

• Habitat Chat, a school-to-school internet communication program, among sister communities along the NHT, using

interactive media.

• Study of history, culture, science, and

math through hands-on museum and

school activities.

• Grant writing to obtain funding for writing and publishing local history documents along the trail.

• Oral history programs.

Interpretive Plan - Camino Real

Administration and trail partners would prepare

an interpretive plan for the length of El Camino

Real de Tierra NHT. The plan would describe

the desired visitor experiences, and set goals,

articulate trail-long and regional themes and

sub-themes, and ensure that programs at related sites complemented each other. The interpretive plan would prescribe the appropriate

interpretive services, including possibilities for
Alternative A: Description 41

non-personal services such as museum exhibits,

traveling exhibits, audiovisual programs, wayside exhibits, and publications, as well as personal services such as guided interpretive walks

and talks, and educational programs. A strategy

for implementation would be developed.

Educational Programs - Camino Real

Administration would support the development

of new educational programs for the trail, and

would encourage programs to meet state teaching standards in New Mexico and Texas. 

Under this alternative, new education materials

and packages would be based on all of the trail’s

themes, and would promote understanding of

and appreciation for the trail’s significance and

history

Heritage Tourism - Heritage tourism would

entail traveling to historic and cultural attractions to learn about the past in an enjoyable

manner, but would not allow for the decline of

the very resources that attracts visitors in the

first place. Heritage tourism would be strongly

encouraged as a new type of visitor use opportunity, as well as an excellent tool to assist in the

promotion of historic trails. Heritage tourism

would be sensitive to environmental issues, and

would be designed to allow people to experience resources with an ecologically and culturally sensitive frame of mind and a leave-notrace emphasis.

Camino Real Administration, in cooperation

with state departments of tourism, would

encourage and assist trail communities in

becoming gradually involved in the National

Trust for Historic Preservation’s heritage

tourism program. Camino Real Administration

would also be available to facilitate and guide

the development of local or regional tourism

programs that followed the general principles of

heritage tourism.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation

has identified the following five principles to

create a sustainable heritage tourism program.

These principles follow closely the criteria set in

the National Trails System Act:

• Focus on the authenticity and quality of

the experience

• Preserve and protect resources

• Make sites come alive

• Find a fit between a community or

region and tourism

• Cooperate

Interpretation Program Assistance - Camino

Real Administration would develop, and would

encourage and support others to develop, a

range of media to appeal to different learning

styles and levels of ability. The range of program

assistance from Camino Real Administration

would include:

• Interpretive planning

• Development of new publications

(research, writing, illustrations)

• Planning and design of new media

(exhibits, wayside exhibits, audiovisual,

etc.)

• Review of draft interpretive text for an

array of projects

• Development of web-based programs

• Workshop facilitation

ALTERNATIVE A: DESCRIPTION

Alternative A is a “no action” alternative that

would have the effect of continuing current

management practices on public (federallymanaged) lands. No additional programs or

new projects will be initiated on federally-managed lands, nor will programs or projects be

supported by Camino Real Administration for

trail resources on non-federally-managed

lands. There would be no directed strategy for

preservation or visitor use and interpretation,

and Camino Real Administration will not coordinate or facilitate sharing of interpretive or
42 CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES

educational information along the trail. The site

certification program will not be implemented.

Alternative A: Administration

Land-managing federal agencies with NHT

lands would continue to manage their lands

based upon their existing management plans.

There would be no overall administration or

coordination of the NHT. Coordination of the

activities of an NHT association; private

landowners; and federal, state, and local agencies and resource protection would be limited

to efforts of the International Heritage Center

and others. No uniform system of signage

would be designated for any components of the

NHT.

Alternative A: Resource Protection

No special efforts would be made to identify

archeological and historic sites and visible trail

route segments. There would be no directed

strategy for research related to the NHT. Use of

off-highway vehicles (OHV) on BLM-administered lands would continue under the present

course of action. Management of visual

resources on BLM-administered lands would

continue under the present course of action.

Alternative A: Visitor Experience

There would be no unified effort by Camino

Real Administration to provide a developed,

coordinated visitor experience along El Camino

Real de Tierra Adentro NHT. Current activities

commemorating or interpreting the trail would

continue, but would remain limited in scope

and would not be related to or recognized as

part of the NHT. The general public would

encounter markers, identification signs, or

interpretive and educational programs through

serendipity.

Recreation - Camino Real Administration

would not encourage new recreational development on the NHT. Generally, existing recreational opportunities available along the trail

would continue to be provided by the

International Heritage Center, private

landowners or various agencies and organizations. These opportunities would not be related

to or recognized as part of the NHT.

An auto tour route generally following the historic trail would not be designated. Visitors

would continue to drive the existing scenic

byway.

Special events related to the NHT would not be

encouraged. Current trail-related activities and

commemorative events provided by various

agencies or organizations would continue, but

would not be related to or recognized as part of

the NHT.

Interpretation /Education - There would be

no unified effort by Camino Real

Administration to interpret the NHT along its

length in any sort of coordinated way. Facilities

and programs currently staffed and offered by

the International Heritage Center and various

agencies or organizations would continue.

Likewise, Camino Real Administration would

not encourage the development of interpretive

media and educational programs in relation to

the NHT. Various media and programs currently offered to the general public by various

agencies or organizations about the Camino

Real would continue.

ALTERNATIVE B: DESCRIPTION

Alternative B provides protection for highpotential sites and segments, but only limited

opportunities for additional, coordinated interpretive and educational programs. Trail

resources (historical, cultural, natural, and

viewshed) would be protected through ongoing

stewardship efforts. Visitors would have the

opportunity to experience trail resources in an

off-site setting. Trail resources (natural, cultural, historical, and viewshed) would be identified

and protected on federal land. Significant trail

resources on private land would be protected

through certification, and volunteer efforts at

high-potential sites and segments. Administration would be directed toward resource
Alternative B: Description 43

protection activities. Certification priorities

would protect threatened trail resources.

Alternative B: Administration

Administration: Camino Real Administration

would occur as in the Preferred Alternative.

Certification - Under Alternative B, certification would be directed toward protection of

sites rather than toward interpretation.

Alternative B: Resource Protection

Resource protection objectives and actions

would include the following:

High-potential Historic Sites and 

Segments - Section 5 of the National Trails

System Act requires “a protection plan for any

high-potential historic sites or high-potential

route segments.” In the Preferred Alternative,

resource protection will be achieved, in part,

through the development of partnered efforts to

increase public appreciation of trail resources

and public involvement in protection through

site stewardship programs, interpretive and

educational programs, and the development of

trail-related visitation opportunities. Under

Alternative B, protection would be limited

largely to the identification of sites and segments, with general recommendations for their

administration. Interpretation will take place

off-site to protect trail resources. The following

criteria would be used to identify additional

resources, based on the National Register of

Historic Places and the National Trails System

Act:

• Significance to the trail (based on documentation and/or archeological

research)

• Integrity of the physical remains

• Integrity and quality of the setting

• Opportunity for high-quality recreation

evoking the historic trail experience

• Opportunity to interpret the primary

period of trail use

Camino Real Administration would gather new

information on additional high-potential historic sites and segments, and would cooperate

with federal, state, and local governments, trail

associations, trail scholars, and state historic

preservation offices in adding, deleting, or

modifying the list of sites. The criteria used to

identify the initial list of high-potential sites

would also be used to make these changes. In

addition, Camino Real Administration would

work with interested trail associations to convene representatives of the various historic trail

communities, as well as federal, state, and local

managers, state historic preservation offices,

and individual scholars, to review and make

recommendations regarding additions, deletions, and modifications to the lists of highpotential historic sites and segments. Some trail

resources might not meet the criteria for inclusion on the lists of high-potential sites and segments. Their visual integrity might be compromised, they might have incomplete historic

documentation, or there might not be enough

evidence to assess their significance. As the status of these resources is reassessed or clarified,

they could be considered for additional protection measures.

Non-Federal and Tribal Lands - Protection

on non-Federal and Tribal lands would be

accomplished through a variety of means,

including, but not limited to: certification,

cooperative agreements, easements, local regulations, and fee simple purchases or exchange

by willing sellers where lands could be efficiently managed. Protection efforts would help

ensure that resources related to the trail are

preserved and sections of the historic route are

maintained as natural or cultural landscapes.

Camino Real Administration would encourage

management of the historic and recreational

trail routes to preserve scenic values and qualities, thereby helping ensure high-quality recreational and interpretive experiences. Camino

Real Administration would encourage protection of the remaining historic landscape settings

that are not now protected under federal, state,

or local management, in cooperation with land

managers along the route and with the review of

the state historic preservation office. Due to the

complex landownership crossing through both

rural and urban areas, resource protection
44 CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES

techniques would vary from area to area and

between the states of New Mexico and Texas.

Ties would be established with local agencies

and support groups to monitor activities along

the route.

Public Lands - OHV routes on BLM-administered lands where protected archeological and

historic sites and trail route segments would be

negatively impacted would be closed. No specific route closures are proposed under this

alternative. Although no immediate threats have

been identified OHV designations will be

reviewed in upcoming RMP revisions or

updates. Management of visual resources on

BLM-administered lands would continue

under the present course of action.

Monitoring Sites - Under this alternative,

there would be scheduled site monitoring of

high-potential or other important sites on

BLM-administered lands and certified sites by

agency personnel.

Inventory and Research - A coordinated

research program would be conducted to support preservation activities, and for media in

support of off-site understanding (such as oral

histories). Camino Real Administration would

continue to inventory and analyze cultural and

natural resources along the trail route to determine appropriate preservation techniques.

Priorities would be established for protecting

additional sites, trail segments, scenic and natural values according to their significance, contribution to linking trail segments, and threats to

integrity. Camino Real Administration will build

and maintain a database of potential highpotential sites and segments. Camino Real

Administration would work with appropriate

technical staff to incorporate the databases generated during the course of the planning process

into the GIS system used to map the routes and

trail resources.

Carrying Capacity - The National Trails

System Act requires that comprehensive management and use plans provide “an identified

carrying capacity of the trail and a plan for its

implementation.” This provision of the legislation has not been implemented in individual

plans. To do so would require an agreement

among the partners about what constitutes a

trail resource and about a methodology to

assess carrying capacity, as well as a high level of

coordination and cooperation among the managers of trail resources. In addition, due to the

site-specific nature of visitor use along a NHT,

it would not be feasible to prescribe a trail-wide

carrying capacity. There are currently no plans

to carry out this type of analysis.

Alternative B: Visitor Experience

As in the Preferred Alternative, there would be a

unified effort by Camino Real Administration

and partners to provide a developed, coordinated visitor experience along El Camino Real

de Tierra Adentro NHT. The visitor experience

would be structured to promote public understanding and appreciation of NHT-related

resources. Awareness of resource protection

needs and challenges would be a central tenet of

all activities and interpretation/education programs related to the NHT.

Under this alternative, the majority of visitor

activities would occur away from the trailrelated resources. Occasional “hands-on” protection activities would be provided wherein

visitors would actively engaged in resource protection, but visitors would be encouraged to

learn about the trail through off-site facilities in

order to lessen on-site impacts to resources.

Visitors would also be provided with information needed to practice appropriate, safe, and

minimum-impact use while on the NHT.

Current activities and interpretive and educational programs offered by various agencies,

organizations, or institutions would continue to

be provided. Additional opportunities would be

offered at site, segments, and interpretive facilities becoming part of the NHT through the certification process.

Recreation - As in Alternative A, Camino Real

Administration would not encourage recreational development on the NHT. Existing

recreational opportunities provided by private

landowners and various agencies and organizations that are not trail-related would continue.
Alternative B: Description 45

• Auto Tour Route - As in the Preferred

Alternative, an auto tour route following

the course of the Camino Real would be

developed, signed, and interpreted.

• Special Events - Special or cultural

events focusing on NHT-related

resource protection would be promoted. As in the Preferred Alternative, the

NHT logo could be used on a requestpermission basis in association with

such events.

Interpretation /Education - As in Alternative

A, Camino Real Administration would not

encourage development of new interpretive

facilities along the NHT. However, coordinated, collaborative efforts would be made to

improve existing facilities, with a local/regional

content emphasis on Camino Real history and

culture. A broad resource protection and advocacy strategy through activities such as partnerships, interpretive media, and educational programs would be encouraged.

As in the Preferred Alternative, interpretive

themes illustrating the significance and meaning

of the Camino Real would serve as a foundation

for developing coordinated interpretive and

educational materials in association with the

NHT. 

An overview of all the themes would be presented to visitors through a variety of educational programs and interpretive media and

programs; however, under this alternative, the

resource stewardship theme would be emphasized.

Interpretive Media - As in the Preferred

Alternative, a range of interpretive media would

be developed through coordinated, collaborative efforts (Camino Real Administration and

partners) to promote resource stewardship, and

to support visitor understanding of preservation efforts. Under this alternative, only certified interpretive facilities, away from actual trail

resources, would offer a wide variety of media

(including oral histories) to engage visitors and

stimulate interest in resource protection. The

range of interpretive media includes:

• Audiovisual Media - Appropriate

audiovisual programs would be used to

orient visitors to the NHT and its

resources. Under this alternative,

Camino Real Administration would

lend assistance to partners proposing to

develop audiovisual programs supporting interpretive opportunities. Sitespecific audiovisual programs could be

developed for major (certified) trail

sites.

• Outdoor Exhibits - Museum and visitor

center exhibits would provide visitors

with context and meanings associated

with the Camino Real’s significance and

resources. Camino Real Administration

would provide assistance for developing

new or revised exhibits at federal protection components, and at certified

interpretive facilities. Exhibit text would

emphasize resource protection and

preservation.

• Wayside Exhibits - This type of medium would not be a preferred choice

under this alternative, because wayside

exhibits are most effective when interpreting and tying messages directly to

resources. Because the majority of visitor use would occur away from

resources on the trail, other types of

media, such as indoor exhibits, audiovisual programs, and publications would

be more effective.

• Traveling Exhibits - Traveling exhibits

would be developed to present various

interpretive and educational materials

off-site. Under this alternative, with its

emphasis on off-site learning and use,

traveling exhibits would be a preferred

medium, and would reach many people

throughout the trail corridor with protection and preservation messages.

• Publications - Camino Real

Administration and partners would

develop brochures and other publications to emphasize trail-related

resource stewardship. An official map

and guide would be developed to pro-
46 CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES

vide overall orientation and information

about the significance and resources of

the NHT. Resource stewardship messages would be included.

• Websites - Extant interpretive websites

about the Camino Real would be

enhanced through the addition of interpretive features regarding trail resource

management.

• Interpretive Facilities - Under this

alternative, the development of new

interpretive facilities in connection with

the NHT would not be supported. BLM

and the Museum of New Mexico State

Monuments Division are developing a

new interpretive facility south of

Socorro, New Mexico. El Camino Real

International Heritage Center will offer

interpretive media and educational programs relating to the trail. Even though

this project was started before the

national designation and was not

specifically linked in the NHT legislation, the new facility will serve as a focal

point for trail-related interpretation and

education.

• Programs - As in the Preferred

Alternative, Camino Real

Administration would provide assistance for federal protection components, and certified interpretive facilities

or landowners of certified properties

wishing to develop new trail-related

interpretive programs. Emphasis would

be placed on programs emphasizing

resource protection.

• Interpretive Plan - As in the Preferred

Alternative, Camino Real

Administration and trail partners would

prepare an interpretive plan for the

length of the NHT.

• Educational Programs - As in the

Preferred Alternative, Camino Real

Administration would support the

devel-0pment of new educational programs for the NHT, and would encourage programs to meet state teaching

standards in New Mexico and Texas.

Under this alternative, the development

of new education materials and activities

promoting trail resource protection and

stewardship would be emphasized. The

development of "hands-on" programs

for active resource protection would be

encouraged.

• Heritage Tourism - Heritage tourism

under this alternative would be oriented

toward learning about the past in an

enjoyable manner, but would not allow

for decline of the very heritage that

attracts visitors in the first place.

Heritage tourism would be strongly

encouraged as a new type of visitor use

opportunity, as well as an excellent tool

to assist in the promotion of historic

trails. Heritage tourism would be sensitive to environmental issues, and would

be designed to allow people to experience resources with an ecologically and

culturally sensitive frame of mind and a

leave-no-trace emphasis.