HOUSE MEMORIAL 59

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas C. Taylor

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH TO INVESTIGATE POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES FOR A PROPOSED SAN JUAN RIVER SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA BELOW NAVAJO DAM AND TO REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, the stretch of the San Juan river below Navajo dam in northern New Mexico continues to be one of the best trophy fisheries in the nation; and

     WHEREAS, each year, anglers spend between twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) and forty million dollars ($40,000,000) at this location, to the benefit of both local and state economies; and

     WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the state of New Mexico, the department of game and fish and the angling public to maintain and enhance the quality of this unique resource; and

     WHEREAS, designating this stretch of the river as a special management area and requiring licensed anglers to purchase special permits to fish there would generate a significant amount of funding for enhancement of the trophy trout water; and

     WHEREAS, this new revenue source would provide money for habitat improvement, improvement of angler access, habitat and fisheries studies, mitigation of siltation and other related enhancements of the fishery;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of game and fish be requested to work with interested stakeholders and land management agencies in the area to investigate potential funding sources to preserve, protect and enhance this stretch of the San Juan river so that the quality of the fishery can be maintained and improved; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of game and fish report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate legislative committee by December 1, 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of game and fish and to the state game commission.

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