45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

COMMENDING THE NEW MEXICO BLACK-TAILED PRAIRIE DOG WORKING GROUP FOR USING A COMMON-GROUND APPROACH TO DEVELOP A CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN; REQUESTING THAT A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUNDING OPTIONS FOR THE 2004 SPECIES SURVEY AND WORKING GROUP STAFF.

WHEREAS, the New Mexico black-tailed prairie dog working group is striving to find common ground in resolving a contentious issue in the spirit of Senate Joint Memorial 27 of the forty-second legislature, first session, which was written by wild friends students; and

WHEREAS, while progress continues to be made toward greater environmental and economic prosperity, the challenges presented by rapid population growth and continued economic expansion throughout the western states, including New Mexico, have led to increasing conflicts that disturb the balance of the western states' ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, it is important for the youth of our state to understand ecosystems and to recognize their own impact on efforts to find solutions to environmental and human issues; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico black-tailed prairie dog working group brings together people and organizations with very different viewpoints, including Animal Protection of New Mexico, incorporated, the Animas foundation, the bureau of land management, the national park service, the national wildlife federation, the natural resources conservation service, the New Mexico cattle growers' association, New Mexico state university, the New Mexico farm and livestock bureau, the department of game and fish, the New Mexico department of agriculture, the New Mexico natural heritage program, people for native ecosystems, the Turner endangered species fund, the United States air force, the United States army, the United States fish and wildlife service, the United States forest service and citizens of New Mexico, to reach agreement in dealing with prairie dog issues; and

WHEREAS, the small, but integral, furry little ground squirrel, Cynomys ludovicianus, commonly known as the black-tailed prairie dog, is a keystone species critical to the continued well-being of nearly two hundred species in grasslands ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, populations of black-tailed prairie dogs, as well as those of other prairie dog species, are declining throughout the west; and

WHEREAS, as a result of a petition, the United States fish and wildlife service found that listing the black-tailed prairie dog as a threatened or an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 was warranted but precluded; and

WHEREAS, black-tailed prairie dogs aid in the growth of a vast array of plants and wildlife as their digging actions enhance soil structure, water filtration and forb growth; and

WHEREAS, black-tailed prairie dogs create habitat for other species and sustain the environment for an abundance of life in grassland ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, the disappearance of black-tailed prairie dogs could lead to the downfall of grassland ecosystems in eleven western states and may have adverse consequences for other ecosystems as well; and

WHEREAS, these complex and highly social animals, with their well-known burrows and towns, have contributed greatly to the history and vision of the west. For example, the famous explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark sent a prairie dog to President Jefferson because they were so impressed with the little creatures; and

WHEREAS, the plethora of plant and animal life belonging to western ecosystems directly contributes to the attractiveness and distinctive qualities that attract visitors to the west; and

WHEREAS, nongame animals such as the black-tailed prairie dogs deserve to be valued because they are important living creatures that enhance the environment in which all New Mexicans live; and

WHEREAS, many of the problems believed to be caused by black-tailed and other prairie dog species are being reevaluated by scientists, and it is now known that prairie dogs are critical to maintaining a balanced cycle of life in grasslands; and

WHEREAS, knowing the state of the black-tailed prairie dog populations is necessary to make crucial decisions about those populations and to make informed decisions about listing them as a threatened or endangered species; and

WHEREAS, surveys of black-tailed prairie dog populations are planned every three years until 2010, and funding is needed for such a survey in 2004; and

WHEREAS, a grasslands coordinator would help coordinate many different groups spread over a wide geographic area as they work together to resolve issues that affect each group in different ways; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of a preserve for a population of black-tailed prairie dogs set aside from usual human activities would provide valuable information and educational opportunities and could provide a home to prairie dogs whose burrows are being destroyed by new homes, roads and other developments; and

WHEREAS, the legislature encourages federal and state agencies in New Mexico to consider establishing such a preserve; and

WHEREAS, the legislature wishes to preserve a beautiful, healthy and diverse world for New Mexico's children and to prevent the extinction of the myriad species who depend on the black-tailed prairie dog for their own existence; and

WHEREAS, if the New Mexico black-tailed prairie dog working group is successful, it can be used as a model for investigating problems faced by other nongame animals in New Mexico;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico black-tailed prairie dog working group be commended for using a common-ground approach to develop a conservation and management plan to help solve this challenging environmental problem; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate legislative committee be requested to study and make recommendations as to whether a grasslands coordinator position should be created, which agency would include the position and how to fund the position; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the black-tailed prairie dog, a valuable part of the west, be studied and protected where possible for the benefit of New Mexico children who are our future; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate legislative committee be requested to study and make recommendations as to whether a preserve should be created to set aside a population of black-tailed prairie dogs and other nongame animals for study and educational purposes and to provide more publicity about the importance of nongame animals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies be encouraged to view New Mexico's black-tailed prairie dogs as wildlife that contribute to the uniqueness, health and diversity of ecosystems in the west; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appropriate legislative committee be requested to recommend funding options for a fiscal year 2005 species survey of the black-tailed prairie dog; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to members of the black-tailed prairie dog working group and members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.