SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 12

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Carlos R. Cisneros

FOR THE

 WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE FORESTER TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A NEW MEXICO FOREST HEALTH PLAN THAT EMULATES THE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES CURRENTLY IN USE ON THE MESCALERO APACHE INDIAN RESERVATION.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's forests are in an unhealthy state due to an overdensity of wildfire fuels, including invasive species and noxious weeds, resulting from years of aggressive fire prevention and having removed fire from the natural scheme of nature; and

     WHEREAS, the drought conditions that the state has experienced over the last several years have exacerbated this unhealthy condition; and

     WHEREAS, as a result of the overdensity of wildfire fuel and the anticipated long-lasting drought situation, biodiversity within the state's ecosystems continues to decrease and conditions for continued insect outbreaks remain likely, thus adding to the possibility of catastrophic wildfires occurring within the state; and

     WHEREAS, catastrophic fires present a threat to the lives and property of New Mexico residents; and

     WHEREAS, catastrophic wildfires could have devastating impacts on the state's critical watersheds and negative impacts on domestic water supply for New Mexico residents; and

     WHEREAS, the magnitude of the forest health problem is in terms of millions of acres and involves different jurisdictional boundaries and authorities; and

     WHEREAS, the cost to remedy and maintain sound forest ecosystems within the state will be tremendous and all available land management resources must be used both efficiently and effectively; and

     WHEREAS, the Mescalero Apache Tribe's forest management operations, working in concert with the bureau of Indian affairs, Mescalero agency, have become nationally known for the effective and efficient way in which they have addressed many of the forest health issues mentioned within;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the forestry division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to facilitate the development and implementation of a statewide forest health plan that will effectively bring together the resources of federal agencies, tribal, state and local governments and private landowners to address the issues described herein; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, with the anticipated completion date for the New Mexico forest health plan being October 2004, that the state forester send the plan to the New Mexico legislature by December 2004; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources, the state forester, the New Mexico congressional delegation and the chief of the United States forest service.

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