Veto, Vote Threaten
Baca Ranch Funding

WASHINGTON — The federal government's $40 million down payment on a scenic northern New Mexico cattle ranch might be in peril because of a presidential veto threat and a "nay" vote by one of the buyout's own backers.

President Clinton has threatened to veto the interior appropriations bill because of provisions he claims might hurt the environment.

And Baca-backer Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., voted against the bill containing funding. Udall contended Republican-backed riders limiting land-management and environmental regulations are so objectionable that the bill does more harm than good for his district.

Udall's vote, ironically, may kill the Baca funding which he avidly sought.

The Baca Ranch, known for its vistas, trout streams, wild elk and volcanic formations, is in Udall's district.

The 95,000-acre tract in the Jemez Mountains is being sold to the government by the Dunigan family of Texas for $101 million.

Udall said Friday he sent a letter to Clinton asking him to make sure that money for the Baca Ranch is included in any final agreement on Interior Department spending.

But Udall's vote against the bill means the ranch money almost certainly would be cut if Clinton vetoes the measure, said Mike Scanlon, spokesman for House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas.

``What happens is the guy (Udall) voted against a project in his own district, and that usually dooms the project,'' Scanlon said.

A veto would send the bill back to Congress to be reworked.

The bill passed last Thursday on a voice vote in the Senate and a 225-200 vote in the House.

Udall said the Republicans' view that his vote against the bill had anything to do with his support of the ranch purchase was cynical and inaccurate.

He said he agrees with Clinton's objections to provisions in the legislation that would prohibit the Interior Department from tightening cleanup standards for mining companies with operations on public land.

Provisions in the bill also would weaken forest management standards, Udall claimed.

Rep. Joe Skeen, R-N.M., who voted for the bill, agreed that Udall's vote might jeopardize the ranch money.

``He put New Mexico in a tough position,'' Skeen said. ``We don't know at this point what the damage will be.''