APPROVING A PROPOSAL BY THE STATE PARKS DIVISION TO PURCHASE LANDS ADJACENT TO THE EXTERIOR BOUNDARIES OF COYOTE CREEK STATE PARK, OLIVER LEE MEMORIAL STATE PARK AND PANCHO VILLA STATE PARK WITH FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR OTHER SOURCES.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

WHEREAS, Section 16-2-11 NMSA 1978 authorizes the state to purchase land for state parks, where those lands are adjacent to existing parks or recreational areas and are necessary for successful park or recreation area protection and development; help meet recreation and open space demands of metropolitan area residents by emphasizing park or recreational areas within easy access of population centers; preserve the most significant examples of New Mexico natural scenic landscape; and meet the pressure on primary vacation regions not adequately supplied with public recreation opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Section 16-2-11 NMSA 1978 provides that the legislature must approve any acquisition of land for state park purposes prior to the execution of a written agreement binding the state to the expenditure of funds for such acquisition; and

WHEREAS, acquiring lands from willing sellers that are adjacent to the exterior boundaries of parks that are owned by the state will provide the greatest benefit to the state and its residents; and

WHEREAS, the state owns Coyote Creek state park, Oliver Lee memorial state park and Pancho Villa state park; and

WHEREAS, the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department developed management plans with the assistance and input of the public that identified specific tracts of land adjacent to the exterior boundaries of Coyote Creek state park, Oliver Lee memorial state park and Pancho Villa state park that meet the statutory criteria for acquiring lands for parks; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has made available to the state parks division four hundred thirty-three thousand one hundred forty-eight dollars ($433,148) that can be used to acquire lands for park purposes, and the division may be able to secure additional funds from other public and private sources, including private individuals and nonprofit groups, to use for the same purpose and to serve as matching funds for the federal funds; and

WHEREAS, acquiring these lands will enhance the recreational and educational benefits provided by the parks, establish park boundaries in more appropriate locations and aid in managing the resources already contained within the parks;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department be authorized to purchase from willing sellers lands adjacent to the exterior boundaries of Coyote Creek state park, Oliver Lee memorial state park and Pancho Villa state park that have been identified in the park management plans previously adopted by the division, using funds made available to it by the federal government and other public or private sources to the extent such funds may permit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department.