Aubrey Dunn, Commissioner of Public Lands
State of New Mexico
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Emily Strickler, Assistant Commissioner of Communications
(505) 827-3650 -office
(505) 827-5760 - front office
Commissioner Dunn proposes an innovative and creative solution in the White’s Peak area
Santa Fe, NM (August 21, 2015) Commissioner of New Mexico Public Lands has proposed an
innovative and creative solution to an age long dispute in the White’s peak area. The solution
involves a proposal to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. The solution is meant to
settle the ongoing negotiations with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish concerning a
hunting easement fee on State Trust Land. It also offers a solution to a longstanding dispute
between private land owner David Stanley and sportsmen regarding accessibility to sportsmen
on State Trust Lands in the White’s Peak area located in Colfax and Mora County. If his proposal
is accepted - over 10,000 acres of land will be dedicated in perpetuity to State Land Trust
beneficiary Carrie Tingley Hospital.
In a meeting on Wednesday, Commissioner Aubrey Dunn presented the attached map and
letter of proposal to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. In summary, the letter
proposes that the NMDGF purchase 10,000 acres from David Stanley and then trade this land to
the State Land Office. In return, the NMDGF would be issued a 20 year easement to New
Mexico State Trust Land, guaranteeing 20 years of predictability and accessibility to all New
Mexican sportsmen. The State Land Office would name Carrie Tingley Hospital as the
beneficiary. Currently, Carrie Tingley Hospital is one of the lowest income beneficiaries of State
Trust Land.
Commissioner Dunn commented on the meeting, “We have not reached a final agreement but
we are hopeful that Game and Fish can see the many benefits to this proposal for both parties,
for New Mexicans and of course for the children of Carrie Tingley Hospital.”
The State Land Office is not the only party that is in support of this proposal.
Ed Olona, an advocate for sportsmen in New Mexico and the White’s Peak area, says, “If this
deal can get worked out and everything is legal then this is a real good thing. I mean, I’ve been
dealing with this dispute for 38 years. This is a real solution.”
The dispute Olona mentions involves decade’s long accessibility issues between sportsmen and
private land owner David Stanley. Stanley has agreed to this proposal.
Further support comes from third generation sportsman in the White’s Peak area Max Trujillo,
“The concept is amazing. This could be an end to an age long dispute. I remember my father
fighting this battle, I hope this is an option.”
Max also expressed how important and valued this land is to sportsman, “This beautiful White’s
Peak area is regarded among sportsman as our little Yellowstone, a very special place.”
The land and the protection of it is important to sportsman. Olona added, “I’d like to see this
issue go to rest. In turn, we will help protect the land. We take care of it. We value it.”
Commissioner Dunn expressed his hopes for the success of this proposal, “Everyone wants a
solution and I think this is the ticket to it. We hope to continue positive negotiations with New
Mexico Department of Game and Fish in the coming weeks.”
Attached: Letter and Map
###
August 19, 2015
Director Alexa Sandoval
New Mexico Department of Game & Fish
One Wildlife Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507
alexandra.sandoval@state.nm.us
Re:
Peak
Wildlife Easement, Carrie Tingley Hospital and White’s
Dear Director Sandoval:
The State Land Office would like to propose the following joint
venture in order to solve the issues in the White’s Peak area, help
the children at Carrie Tingley Hospital, and increase opportunities
for New Mexicans to forever enjoy the great outdoors in the
gorgeous White’s Peak area.
We propose that the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish
(NMDGF) purchase approximately 10,000 acres in the White’s Peak
area. The NMDGF would then deed this land to the State Land
Office. This land would be dedicated in perpetuity to one
beneficiary: Carrie Tingley Hospital. In exchange, the State Land
Office will provide the NMDGF with a twenty (20) year wildlife
easement on State Trust Land. In support of this cause, David
Stanley has volunteered to donate 1,280 acres of what we would
call the “lake district” of the White’s Peak area, including Graham
Lake, to the State Land Office to benefit Carrie Tingley Hospital. A
map of the proposed area is attached to this correspondence.
This venture would open up the many privately owned lakes,
streams, meadows and roads currently closed to public use,
allowing New Mexicans to access and enjoy all of the beautiful
White’s Peak area for hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, and camping.
The almost-forgotten traditional access that was present in the
White’s Peak area will not only be preserved but enhanced. We
would also propose that this new area become a special hunting
unit reserved for New Mexico residents only.
As you know, Carrie Tingley Hospital is the only pediatric
rehabilitation hospital in New Mexico – a very important and
special place indeed. We expect the new income generated from
this venture to provide enough revenue to hire a number of needed
doctors or nurses to care for the children that Carrie Tingley
Hospital helps. At least one of the new doctor positions should be
named in honor of the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish to
ensure that the families of the children treated know whom to
thank.
Please let me know your thoughts on this proposal. I look forward
to our continued negotiations.
Sincerely,
AUBREY DUNN
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS
310 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM, 87504-1148
Attachments:
Map