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.

ECONOMIST: Latino heroes

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

NPR: Saving Ranchland from Suburban Sprawl

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