A
MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE STATE PARKS DIVISION OF
THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO STUDY THE CURRENT
STATE PARKS DIVISION FEE SCHEDULE.
WHEREAS, New Mexico's state
parks are among the state's finest possessions, protecting irreplaceable natural,
cultural and recreational resources, preserving the unique multicultural
heritage of the state and serving as tremendous economic assets; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section
16-2-7 NMSA 1978, the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources is
required to ensure that the state parks division is made as nearly
self-supporting as possible; and
WHEREAS, unforeseen acts of
nature over the past three years, including fire restrictions and drought
conditions, have significantly impacted visitation to and subsequent revenue
collections from state parks; and
WHEREAS, there is strong public
interest in having a variety of options for admission to state parks, including
single-day admissions, annual day-use passes, annual camping passes and other
options; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable for
visitors to state parks to continue to receive quality services at reasonable
and fair rates;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state parks
division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested
to conduct a study of the current state parks division fee schedule and park
revenues to determine a fair and reasonable fee schedule and to make
recommendations concerning the fee schedule; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
study include a survey of state park systems in surrounding states, an analysis
of the current cost-effectiveness of each state park in terms of revenue
collected and park operational costs and an estimate of potential revenue
increases from additional marketing efforts, capital improvements or additional
park programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
study also include an analysis of the current cost evaluation of offering
several types of annual passes, including an annual camping pass, as well as
seasonal and promotional entrance passes, and other offerings to meet the
interests and needs of the public; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
state parks division be requested to report the findings of the study to the
legislative finance committee and the interim legislative water and natural
resources committee by September 1, 2003; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a
copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of energy, minerals and
natural resources.