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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	HAGC		DATE TYPED:	02/02/02		HB	HJM 13/HAGCS
SHORT TITLE:		Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Working Group				SB
					ANALYST:		Gilbert

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY02	FY03	FY02	FY03
		NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

The House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee substitute for House Joint Memorial 13 commends the New Mexico black-tailed prairie dog working group for using a common-ground approach in developing a conservation and management plan for this species. It directs that an appropriate legislative committee be requested to study and make recommendations as to whether a preserve should be created to set aside a population of black-tailed prairie dogs and other non-game animals for study and educational purposes. It also specifies that the appropriate legislative committee be requested to recommend funding options for a fiscal year 2003 species survey of the black-tailed prairie dog.

This Joint Memorial directs that an appropriate legislative committee study and make recommendations as to whether a grasslands coordinator position should be created; determine which agency would include the position, and how to fund the position.

If enacted, copies of this memorial are to be transmitted to members of the black-tailed prairie dog working group and members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.

Significant Issues

This legislation recognizes that the black-tailed prairie dog is a valuable part of the west and should be studied and protected where possible for the benefit of New Mexico children, and that state agencies be encouraged to view New Mexico's black-tailed prairie dogs as wildlife that contribute to the uniqueness, health and diversity of ecosystems in the west.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

No fiscal impact.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

Enactment of this legislation would require appropriate legislative committees to study and make recommendations as to whether a preserve should be created, determine funding options for a 2003 species survey of the black-tailed prairie dog, and make recommendations as to whether a grasslands coordinator position should be created and how to fund such a position.

RLG/ar