"Protection Sought For New Mexico Park's Geothermal Deposits"

"ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Underground pockets of boiling water and steam in a northern New Mexico national preserve that represent the heart of an ancient collapsed volcano could get extra federal protection under a proposal by the National Park Service to limit or prevent any negative effects from tapping geothermal energy on neighboring land.

Federal officials said last week that the Valles Caldera National Preserve would become the 17th U.S. park unit with designated thermal features if approved. A monthlong public comment period will end Jan. 26.

Yellowstone, Crater Lake and Hawaii volcanoes already are on the list of parks with federally protected geothermal features.

Dubbed the "Yellowstone of the Southwest," Valles Calderas is home to vast grasslands, the remnants of one of North America's few super volcanoes and one of New Mexico's most famous elk herds. The bear-claw shaped ring of mountain peaks that form the caldera also is culturally significant to neighboring Native American tribes."

Susan Montoya Bryan reports for the Associated Press January 2, 2017.