Doug Boykin, the state forester for Catron County, said water is scarce here, as many find out who try to dig a well.

NPR: Saving Ranchland from Suburban Sprawl

But he is also hoping to attract tourists to Catron County.

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Not everyone in Catron County, though, likes the Forest Legacy Program.

NPR: Saving Ranchland from Suburban Sprawl

"We continue to encourage our federal, state and local partners, as well as the American public, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities, " wrote Catron.

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Mr. BILL AYMAR (Catron County, New Mexico, Manager): What it's going to end up doing is removing a tremendous amount of acreage from the tax rolls of the county, and this county is already minimally funded as it is.

NPR: Saving Ranchland from Suburban Sprawl