Trust to buy Miranda Canyon, hold for Forest Service

A swath of land south of Taos is moving closer to becoming part of the Carson National Forest. Greg Hiner of The Trust for Public Land told The Taos News Monday (Jan. 3) that his organization was "very close" to buying 3,800 acres of the 5,000-acre property is commonly known as Miranda Canyon. "We are hoping to wrap it up this week," Hiner said. Hiner said he hoped to purchase the remaining 1,200 acres in 2013. The property is currently owned by the Weimer family. "What we are doing is holding it, hopefully in short term, until it can be moved into public ownership," Hiner said. "When we plan right, we don't hold it for very long." Hiner hoped to see the land moved to the Forest Service's control within the next five years. However, there are some concerns that a tight federal budget may delay the purchase longer than expected. The Carson National Forest is pursuing the purchase of the property and New Mexico's U.S. senators have introduced legislation in Congress to expand the forest boundaries. A formal appraisal of the property was done, and Hiner said the purchase price was set at the appraisal amount. Hiner declined to disclose the exact purchase price for the property before the deal is done...more