[1] NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature. The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

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

SPONSOR:	Feldman		DATE TYPED:	01/31/02		HB
SHORT TITLE:		Middle Rio Grande Bosque Revitalization				SB	135
					ANALYST:		Sandoval

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

$100.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

Responses Received

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)

Department of Game and Fish

Interstate Stream Commission

No Response

Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)

SUMMARY

Senate Bill 135 appropriates $100.0 from the general fund to the Local Government Division of the Department of Finance and Administration for the purpose of a bosque revitalization project. In cooperation with United States Senator Domenici’s initiatives with the Middle Rio Grande Valley, this project proposes to remove unnecessary jetty jacks and non-native trees to create a healthy wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities on the bosque in Bernalillo County. The bill contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $100.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund because it is unclear if this allocation, in combination with any other funding sources, will be sufficient to thoroughly complete this project.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The Interstate Stream Commission’s primary area of concern is the offset of any new water depletion associated with this project. Specifically, the increase in open-water evaporation due to widening the channel, the increase in open-water evaporation due to an increase in over-bank flooding, and the increase or decrease in depletions due to establishment of native vegetation. The Rio Grande basis has been fully appropriated for more than 100 years. Any increases in net depletions that are not offset will negatively affect New Mexico’s ability to maintain compliance with its obligations under the Rio Grande Compact. Therefore, prior to commencing any work, an agreement needs to be in place that will guarantee that the proposed project will offset all new depletions.

The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department reports that “…changes in river hydrography, invasion by exotic species like salt cedar and Russian olive and the development of subdivisions adjacent to the drainage canals are causing increasing concern among fire managers. The springtime bosque fires often kill and eliminate native species such as cottonwoods and willows from the habitat. Salt cedar is actually invigorated by fire and replaces entire sections of native vegetation in the bosque within a few years of these fires. Jetty jacks often cause delayed response time by restricting access of fire engines and crews to fires”.

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

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC files

Responses Received

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1. What other state and/or federal agencies are involved in this project?

2. What is the current condition of this area of the Rio Grande boseque?

3. How will these improvements be maintained?

4. What other sources of funds are dedicated to this projects?

JFS/ar