View of Valles Caldera National Preserve Front-Country. Courtesy/NPS

NPS News:

JEMEZ SPRINGS — The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Valles Caldera National Preserve’s upcoming Front-country Infrastructure Improvements Project. The park will now be able to make accessibility upgrades to existing facilities, increase access to the park’s cabin district, and install outdoor interpretation exhibits in the park’s front-country.

“By making much needed improvements to existing infrastructure at the park, we will better showcase Valles Caldera’s amazing resources and values and offer a more welcoming and engaging landscape for all,” Superintendent Jorge Silva-Bañuelos said. “We hope to begin implementing the project this fall and into the coming year.”

The park released an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the project for public comment in October 2022.

The EA, FONSI, and other reference documents can be found on the NPS Planning Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website.

The EA examined alternative actions and environmental impacts associated with the proposed project to implement improvements that would remain in place until long-term plans to guide the development of visitor services infrastructure are completed and implemented.

The NPS selected Alternative 2 (proposed action and preferred alternative) after reviewing public comments and consulting with associated American Indian tribes and the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Officer as it best meets the project purpose and need without causing significant impacts to park resources and values.