A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING STATE AND CONGRESSIONAL OFFICIALS TO TAKE ACTION TO REDUCE VEHICLE-WILDLIFE COLLISIONS ON NEW MEXICO ROADS.

WHEREAS, millions of wild animals and other animals are killed on roads nationwide by vehicles every year; and

WHEREAS, thousands of injuries and hundreds of human deaths occur nationwide from vehicle collisions with animals every year; and

WHEREAS, every year, millions of dollars in property damage occurs as a result of vehicle collisions with animals; and

WHEREAS, these collisions demand attention from state and federal agencies, residents and tourists, insurance companies, the media and researchers; and

WHEREAS, many New Mexicans and friends of wildlife are concerned about finding solutions to reduce collisions between vehicles and wildlife or other animals; and

WHEREAS, the department of game and fish and the state highway and transportation department have worked together on solutions to the problem of vehicle-wildlife collisions on road projects such as United States highway 550; and

WHEREAS, several states are educating drivers and implementing measures that have proven effective in preventing vehicle-wildlife collisions, such as installing equipment and designing highways to create safe passageways using deer fencing, underpasses and overpasses; and

WHEREAS, providing ways for wildlife to safely cross highways and other roads that section off and divide wildlife habitat would benefit many species, including New Mexico's declining mule deer population; and

WHEREAS, educating people about ways to reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions can help lower the frequency and severity of those accidents; and

WHEREAS, the state will need money to pay for mitigation measures and educational programs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico congressional delegation be requested to help secure federal funding for enlarging or building underpasses and overpasses and for implementing other technologies to make our roads safer for wildlife and people; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to declare a "state day" to educate people about the importance of reducing vehicle-wildlife collisions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to require state agencies to educate drivers of state vehicles about ways to mitigate vehicle-wildlife collisions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state highway and transportation department and the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department be requested to include information in written materials, driver's education programs and driver's license manuals and tests about the hazards and prevention of vehicle-wildlife collisions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of game and fish and the state highway and transportation department be commended for working together to make our highways safer for wildlife and people; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of game and fish and the state highway and transportation department be encouraged to create a memorandum of understanding requiring those departments to cooperate on long-term planning of road projects and to share information to help reduce road kill resulting from vehicle-wildlife collisions on the roads of New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico congressional delegation, the governor, the secretary of highway and transportation, the chair of the state game commission, the director of the department of game and fish and the director of the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department.