The Valle de Oro Wildlife Refuge will soon be a bit bigger.
The New Mexico State Land Office announced on Thursday that it will transfer more than 200 acres of land adjacent to the refuge to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“This exchange will help protect a cherished ecosystem and ensure it remains accessible to the public for future generations. I believe this exchange will lead to more outdoor recreation opportunities that are safe and well-managed right on Albuquerque’s doorstep,” Stephanie Commissioner Garcia Richard said in a press release. “Community members have been engaged throughout this process and have helped me gain a clearer picture of the concerns that could come with any next steps. I am incredibly grateful for their input and positive civil discourse.”
The Valle de Oro Wildlife Refuge is an urban refuge in the South Valley of Albuquerque. The State Land Office hosted several public meetings to gain input leading up to the decision to transfer the parcel.
Some of the main concerns expressed during those meetings centered around whether hunting could occur on the land should it be transferred to the federal agency. While some refuges do allow hunting, the Valle de Oro refuge does not. Nearby residents also had concerns about the refuge’s ability to manage the property. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will now be tasked with taking public input on the transfer.
Prior to deciding to transfer the land to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State Land Office approached the Pueblo of Isleta about acquiring the parcel through an exchange. The parcel represents ancestral Isleta lands along the Rio Grande. According to the State Land Office, the Pueblo expressed interest in the parcel becoming part of the wildlife refuge.
The parcel is currently leased by the City of Albuquerque, which was not interested in acquiring the land. Nearby residents say that hunting is illegally occurring under the city’s watch.
Albuquerque’s lease extends through Dec. 31, 2030 and, unless the city agrees to relinquish the lease early, the transfer cannot occur until after that date.