Master FIR (1988)

NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature. The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	Taylor, JP		DATE TYPED:	03/08/01		HB	HJM 61
SHORT TITLE:		Mesilla Valley Bosque Park				SB
					ANALYST:		Dotson

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01

FY02

FY01

FY02

See Fiscal

Implications

See Fiscal

Implications

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to HCO 367

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

HJM 61 requests that the State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department study the feasibility of establishing a Mesilla Valley Bosque Park in Dona Ana County.

Significant Issues

According to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, No funds are provided to carry out the provisions of this memorial.

According to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, the proposed site for this park is on the west side of the Rio Grande between Mesilla Dam and Mesilla Bridge, including an area known locally as the "Old Refuge." This area includes some of the last remaining bosque vegetation in the region and offers unique opportunities to:

protect a diversity of native plants and animals in their riparian and aquatic habitats;
restore the natural mosaic of riverside habitats;
provide stimulating educational and recreational opportunities for local residents; and
create a new and exciting destination for visitors.

A draft master plan for this project has been developed in cooperation with participating land owners, including the Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U. S. Bureau of Land Management, International Boundary and Water Commission and Elephant Butte Irrigation District. Several private land owners, including Harris Farms of Mesilla, also are cooperating. Depending on continued cooperation, a park at this site could encompass upwards of 300 acres, making it similar in size to the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park in Albuquerque

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

According to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, without funding, state Parks may not be able to implement this memorial.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

HJM 61 contains no appropriation however, the development of a Mesilla Valley Park could require future State funds.

According to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, this memorial will increase short-term agency costs. Agency personnel will need to take time away from other projects to work on this study. Costs to print and distribute the resulting report would need to come out of the existing agency budget. Total increased costs are estimated to be $20,000. There are no relevant federal appropriations and no other local, state, or federal matching funds.

According to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, if an appropriation is made the $20,000 to perform the feasibility study it should go to EMNRD.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

According to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, short-term administrative effects would include additional workload on administrative staff to adjust budgets and procure necessary services, such as printing. Passage of this memorial would have no long-term administrative impacts on the agency. No changes in FTE would be required. Failure of this memorial would have no administrative impact on the agency.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

According to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, HCO367 would appropriate $20,000 to the Local Government Division of DFA to perform this work. If HCO367 and this memorial both pass, it is unclear whether this memorial would cause DFA to transfer the $20,000 to EMNRD for implementation. Similarly, if HCO367 passes and this memorial fails, it is unclear whether DFA would have to implement the work. If this memorial passes and HCO367 fails, EMNRD would have to impact established programs to accomplish this request.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

According to the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, if HCO367 passes and this memorial fails, DFA may have to implement the work.

PD/ar