Conservationists strike a deal to buy a volcanic crater in Arizona
Copyright 2000 Associated Press
December 19, 2000
By EDUARDO MONTES, Associated Press Writer
PHOENIX - Conservationists have closed a deal to buy and protect a wildlife-rich volcanic crater in Arizona.
The Grand Canyon Trust signed papers Monday obtaining title to the 247-acre Dry Lake property.
The conservation group plans to turn it over in the next few months to the U.S. Forest Service, which will incorporate it into the Coconino National Forest.
Conservationists have been working for more than three years to protect the crater, or caldera, near Flagstaff from development.
The caldera contains a wetland, grassland and oak, aspen and pine forests and is populated by elk, the Mexican spotted owl, the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon.
"It's like a little Shangri-La right on the outskirts of Flagstaff," Grand Canyon Trust president Geoff Barnard said.
The total deal to buy the land from a local developer will run $3.5 million. The trust has raised about $960,000 of the $1 million it planned to put up. Congress appropriated $2.5 million.
The effort to protect the caldera began after county officials indicated they wouldn't approve plans to build a golf course and homes there. The land's owner then swapped the basin for land owned by another developer, who in turn agreed to sell the crater for preservation.
Each of the developers contributed $100,000 for the purchase.
Flagstaff resident John Grahame, who helped form a citizens group that fought to preserve the caldera, said he was elated by the sale.
"In fact, I screamed," Grahame said.
A caldera is a basin formed by the explosion or collapse of a volcano.
"The Forest Service is honored to eventually become the steward of this area for all Americans and this is a huge step in that direction," said District Ranger Gene Waldrip of the Coconino National Forest.