HM 37

Page 1

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT TO ESTABLISH THE RIO

GRANDE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AREA.

WHEREAS, the Rio Grande del Norte connects New Mexico

from its northern to its southern boundary, connecting people

and communities along its natural course; and

WHEREAS, the Rio Grande corridor from the Colorado

border in Taos county to the village of Velarde in Rio Arriba

county is defined by the unique geologic formations of the Rio

Grande gorge created by volcanic basalt flows from the

volcanoes of the Taos plateau and the underlying Rio Grande

rift; and

WHEREAS, the Rio Grande migratory flyway represents one

of the great natural migratory routes in the world, and this

flyway provides for some of the greatest diversity of flora

and fauna in the American southwest; and

WHEREAS, the volcanic basalt cliffs of the Rio Grande

gorge provide for regionally high densities of nesting eagles,

hawks, falcons and owls, and these naturally occurring nesting

areas can constitute a Rio Grande bird-of-prey area similar to

the Snake river bird-of-prey area in Idaho; and

WHEREAS, the Rio Grande wild and scenic corridor

provides a unique game fishing habitat of national renown and

is currently being managed by the bureau of land management

HM 37

Page 2

and the New Mexico department of game and fish as special

fishing waters; and

WHEREAS, the San Antonio mountain and the Punche valley

provide a unique winter habitat for large migratory elk herds

from both Colorado and New Mexico that is managed by the

bureau of land management and the New Mexico department of

game and fish; and

WHEREAS, the Taos plateau and the Punche valley are

jointly managed as a pronghorn antelope area by the bureau of

land management and the New Mexico department of game and

fish; and

WHEREAS, the establishment of the Rio Grande wildlife

conservation area will provide future generations of New

Mexicans continued enjoyment of the recreational opportunities

to hunt, fish, observe wildlife and experience solitude;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the bureau of

land management be requested to establish the Rio Grande

wildlife conservation area; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico department of

game and fish and the New Mexico state land office cooperate

with the bureau of land management under multiple-use and

sustained yield management to maintain the highest wildlife

values possible within the area; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

HM 37

Page 3

transmitted to the state director of the bureau of land

management, the secretary of the interior, the New Mexico

congressional delegation, the director of the department of

game and fish and the state commissioner of public lands.