SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 7

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Bill Tallman

A JOINT MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 2, 2018 "PUBLIC LANDS DAY" AT THE LEGISLATURE TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO THE RESIDENTS OF NEW MEXICO THROUGH PUBLIC LANDS IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico contains a variety of national public lands, including national parks, monuments and preserves; national forests and rangelands; wildlife refuges; wilderness areas; and other public lands; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's public lands reflect many noble democratic ideals because public lands are open and accessible to everyone, no matter their place of residence, their race or their ethnicity or whether they are rich or poor; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's public lands are defining features of the state and enrich the state's quality of life by supporting the vitality of communities and core cultural land use values representing all New Mexicans' common heritage; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's public lands feature an amazingly diverse range of landscapes, from the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky mountains to rushing rivers, rock canyons, grassy plains, desert landscapes and tree-lined mountain valleys; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's public lands provide many benefits to residents and visitors and support a wide variety of activities, from recreational pursuits to natural resource development and uses; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's public lands have a substantial impact on economic development and jobs through mineral extraction, timber sales, ranching, tourism and outdoor recreational industries; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico's public lands contribute to the state's clean air and clean water and are a vital repository of precious and limited water sources; and

     WHEREAS, the resources of these public lands, including water, minerals, grass for livestock, timber and the native fish and wildlife that depend on these lands, belong equally to all Americans and the sovereign nations that reside upon these lands; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexicans of all races, ethnicities, occupations and lifestyles continue to derive multiple benefits from the traditional, long-standing multiple-use management philosophy of public lands under the stewardship of the United States forest service and the federal bureau of land management; and

     WHEREAS, these practices reflect the public support for policies incorporating a judicious balance between aesthetic, recreational and economic values; and

     WHEREAS, the prudent stewardship, conservation and tempered use of all public natural resources are worthy goals of all governing bodies;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the public lands of New Mexico be honored by all New Mexicans; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that February 2, 2018 be declared "Public Lands Day" at the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the commissioner of public lands, the New Mexico state director of the federal bureau of land management and the regional forester of the southwestern regional office of the United States forest service.

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