Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are available on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us). Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may also be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

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

SPONSOR	Boykin		DATE TYPED	1/28/04		HM	2
SHORT TITLE		Access Routes for Housing in Forested Areas				SB
					ANALYST		Aguilar

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY04	FY05	FY04	FY05
	NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Response Received From

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)

Responses Not Received

New Mexico Municipal League

New Mexico Association of Counties

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Memorial 2 requests city and county officials and zoning authorities require, where practicable, two access roads to be available for homes built and located in or near forested areas.

Copies of the memorial are to be transmitted to the New Mexico Municipal League and the New Mexico Association of Counties.

Significant Issues

The memorial states counties, cities and local zoning authorities are charged with regulating and restricting the location and use of buildings, land and structures.

The memorial recognizes the importance of providing access routes for evacuating citizens in the event a wildland fire threatens their home or community and improved access routes may reduce the overall risk to homes and communities located in and around forested areas. Additional access routes will also assist fire suppression resources by allowing them access to homes threatened by wildland fire as well as providing an escape route if a fire becomes too unsafe to directly suppress. In many instances, if an alternative route into and out of communities is not available, fire suppression resources cannot attempt to defend homes and other structures without placing those resources at unacceptable risk.

The State Forestry Division notes that existing statewide efforts of New Mexico’s Fire Planning Task Force may be complimented by the request outlined in this memorial. The Fire Planning Task Force, which obtains input from landowners, land users and local government, recognizes that improved ordinances as well as safer building construction materials may reduce overall risk to New Mexico citizens. Adequate ingress and egress relating to forested communities are a critical component of making these areas safer from wildland fire.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

This memorial would be implemented by cities, counties and local zoning authorities and have no administrative implications to the Forestry Division.

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