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Pasted below is a comment posted upon this website by someone who, apparently, is closely tracking the Valles Caldera / Charter Forest issue.
The poster has, so I believe, used a pseudonym and can not be identified.
My original 2006 post, to which this comment was directed, had been titled "Valles Caldera - A Failed Experiment and Lessons to be Learned."
The good news is the Bush/Libertarian "Charter Forest" model has been invalidated. The Valles Caldera experiment has clearly and demonstrably failed. GOOD -- because an important lesson was learned.
 The bad news is that it will likely be at least another 7 or 8 years before the general public can begin to enjoy and appreciate these public lands -- lands purchased with your tax-dollars at a cost of over $100,000,000. Lands which have been, and will continue to be, managed as a playground/reserve for the wealthy and the few.
Then again, perhaps that too is part of the good news. Perhaps as more Americans come to understand just how badly they've been screwed, they will actively resist the next attempted screwing, or the one after that, or the one after that, or the one after that ...
Scott
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Comment: The Trust structure of the Valles Caldera is a complete
failure, but the beat goes on. The newly appointed Trust Board members,
as of early 2008, are now more determined then ever to get to
break-even on revenues. The latest game plan is to turn the Valles
Caldera into an elite hunting lodge, because that is where the money
is.
Rich hunters from far away States are willing to pay a kings ransoms in
order to participate in the unequalled quality of Elk hunting
opportunities provided by the Preserve. The building of a fancy lodge
is a key next step (if the Trust can find the money to build it).
The Preserve is run on a shoe-string budget and the Trust and Staff are
extremely dysfunctional, with non-stop internal bickering and a lack of
any sort of discernible marketing plan. It looks nearly impossible for
them to get to break-even before 2015.
2015 is the point at which time the enabling legislation says the
experiment must be evaluated for success or failure. Success being
defined as the Trust achieving financial self-sufficiency.
It is my hope, and that of many others, that by 2015 this crazy
experiment can be put out of it's misery and that the Valles Caldera
can be combined with it's contiguous next door neighbor, Bandelier
National Monument to form an incredible centrally managed National Park
and Preserve that will draw tourists and vacationers from around the
globe to see this most inspiring land, land that is currently not even
on the radar of most travelers and recreationists. Take a look at
google maps, you can't even find the Valles Caldera National Preserve,
seven years into the experiment. Few outside of Northern New Mexico
have ever heard of it, save for a few big game hunters.
I find it hard to believe that there are people in this country who
wish to destroy the most successful government operation that has ever
existed, The National Park Service. For what purpose? Is it's amazing
success a threat to their libertarian views? In this case "managed
commons" is the best way to preserve our wild lands for recreation and
future generations. Charter Forests will destroy our wilderness and
restrict public access.
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- Privatization 
