Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández Welcome Acquisition of Dawson Elk Valley Ranch in Northeast N.M.

Acquisition made possible with funds from the Inflation Reduction Act New Mexico Democrats passed into law

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) are welcoming this week’s announcement that the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program — with $50 million of federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and an additional $16.7 million from The Nature Conservancy — is purchasing the Dawson Elk Valley Ranch in northeastern New Mexico near Cimarron to support the proposed Vermejo River Watershed Conservation Project.

The lawmakers sent a letter of support to the Forest Service earlier this year urging the completion of this historic acquisition.

“The acquisition of this property by The Nature Conservancy means this crown jewel of New Mexico will be managed for conservation and can’t be sold off to the highest bidding developer,” said Heinrich. “I look forward to working closely with the New Mexico State Forestry Department, The Nature Conservancy, and Tribes in New Mexico as they work to finalize their stewardship, management, and public access plans for this stunning landscape that’s home to important history, massive herds of mule deer, elk, and pronghorn, migratory birds including bald eagles, and crystal clear trout streams. This is an exciting day for New Mexicans who have not been able to access these lands and waters for generations.”

“I am proud to announce that the U.S. Forest Service has acquired the Dawson Elk Valley Ranch in northeastern New Mexico for $66.7 million to support the Vermejo River Watershed Conservation Project. This crucial investment will help safeguard wildlife, secure drinking water resources, and support local economies through ranching and game management,” said Luján. “It will also establish New Mexico’s first Indigenous-led land trust, creating new opportunities for equitable funding while ensuring the long-term preservation of biodiversity and forest ecosystems for future generations.”

“The creation of New Mexico’s first Indigenous-led land trust is a powerful recognition of Tribal stewardship and a commitment to equitable collaboration in conserving our natural treasures,” said Leger Fernandez. “This acquisition not only protects the Vermejo River Watershed and safeguards drinking water for eastern New Mexico but also supports vibrant local economies through ranching, hunting, and sustainable land management. Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act knowing it could make visionary projects like this one possible to make sure that our forests, wildlife, and cultural heritage endure for generations to come.”

Background:

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided a historic investment of $700 million over ten years to permanently conserve state and privately-owned forestlands through the Forest Legacy Program.  The Forest Service made a portion of those funds available for “Tribal Partnership Projects.” The goal of this funding category is to support meaningful partnerships between States and Tribes to identify, acquire, and co-manage properties with significant Tribal cultural benefits as well as other public benefits.

As part of the proposed Vermejo River Watershed Conservation Project, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the State of New Mexico’s Environment, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) plan to use the $50 million of federal funding from the IRA to acquire 32,580 acres which will be co-managed by State Forestry (a division of EMNRD) and Tribally-led land trust. The remaining 17,469 acres will be purchased by The Nature Conservancy with a conservation easement.

The historic Dawson Elk Valley Ranch includes 32,580 acres of pristine timberland, including 7.2 miles of the Vermejo River and will conserve a diverse ecological system and the wildlife that live there. Protecting this system will safeguard a crucial drinking water resource for people across the eastern half of New Mexico. The land also houses the remnants of the historic mining community of Dawson, N.M., including a cemetery listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Continued management of this land will support local businesses through ongoing ranch management activities and through the active management of game populations, the hunting of which contributes more than $600 million in annual economic spending across New Mexico.

This investment of Forest Legacy Funds will directly enable a variety of additional benefits, including the conservation of an additional 17,469 adjacent acres and the creation of New Mexico’s first ever Indigenous-led land trust, which will increase equitable access to funding through the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

More information from the U.S. Forest Service on this week’s announcement can be found here.

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