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A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE EXPEDITIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF VIABLE

TRANSPORTATION ACCESS TO THE HISTORIC RADIUM HOT SPRINGS INN.

WHEREAS, the village of Radium Springs, a few miles

north of Leasburg, New Mexico, owes its name to the free-

flowing mineral hot springs once located there; and

WHEREAS, centuries ago, the springs were used as a

resting place for Native American traders traveling between

what is now Mexico and Santa Fe and were later used as a

paraje, or rest stop, for Spanish traders and soldiers

traveling on El Camino Real; and

WHEREAS, the soldiers once stationed at nearby Fort

Seldon frequently enjoyed these mineral hot springs and built

the first bathhouse in 1887; and

WHEREAS, the Radium Hot Springs inn, on the east bank of

the Rio Grande in Radium Springs, New Mexico, was constructed

in 1931 and replaced cabins that were built prior to 1910; and

WHEREAS, during its heyday, the Radium Hot Springs inn

was a popular destination for residents of New Mexico and

tourists to the state; and

WHEREAS, the Radium Hot Springs inn has had other uses

of historical interest, including serving as the Radium

Springs women's prison from 1978 to 1983; and

WHEREAS, the current owners purchased the property in

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1995 and have undertaken a historic preservation renovation

and rehabilitation effort so that the property might be

reopened again as a hotel and tourist destination; and

WHEREAS, if the Radium Hot Springs inn is restored and

reopened to the public, it would contribute positively to the

historic preservation and economic development of Dona Ana

county and southern New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the Radium Hot Springs inn and surrounding

county and state facilities have been unsuccessful in

developing feasible transportation routes in and out of the

inn, and this has resulted in a continued lost opportunity for

realizing the many benefits from this local resource; and

WHEREAS, all governmental parties with jurisdiction in

and around the historic Radium Hot Springs inn must work

diligently, expeditiously and without further delay in

developing a viable transportation plan that will mitigate

this issue as a remaining obstacle preventing the reopening of

the Radium Hot Springs inn;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that options for

improving public access to the Radium Hot Springs inn be

evaluated and developed through a collaborative process that

includes Dona Ana county, the village of Radium Springs, the

bureau of reclamation in the United States department of the

interior, the Elephant Butte irrigation district, the United

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States international boundary and water commission, the state

parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources

department, the hotel owners and other interested

stakeholders; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the above-mentioned parties

submit a report and analysis of various access options to the

legislature, members of the Dona Ana county legislative

delegation and Dona Ana county within ninety days of the

passage of this memorial, and that Dona Ana county take

responsibility for preparing this report with the full consent

of the involved parties.