The Valle Vidal, a 101,794-acre area that has been dubbed “New Mexico’s Yellowstone,” is now off-limits to oil and gas drilling thanks to the U.S. Congress. Big win for wildlife…

Senate OKs Valle Vidal protection
By ANDY LENDERMAN, The New Mexican, November 17, 2006

Both New Mexico senators threw their weight behind protecting the Valle Vidal from oil and gas drilling Thursday, and it worked.

The Valle Vidal Protection Act of 2005 — authored by U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M. — cleared the Senate floor late Thursday night. U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., announced his decision earlier in the day to support Udall’s measure, after months of intense political pressure from all over New Mexico. Hunters, anglers, Republicans, Democrats and environmentalists lobbied Domenici relentlessly to protect the national forest property, famous for its high mountain valleys, rambling forests and elk herds, from development…

Full Story