SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 24

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Mary Kay Papen

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH AND THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO STUDY SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE FUNDING MEASURES IN ORDER TO PROTECT NEW MEXICO'S UNIQUE LANDSCAPES, OPEN SPACES, RECREATION AREAS AND WILDLIFE HABITATS.

     WHEREAS, wildlife-associated recreation creates annual expenditures of more than one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) a year in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, conservation funding for protection and maintenance of New Mexico's outdoor recreation areas, land, water and wildlife is inadequate to meet current and future needs; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is home to the fourth largest number of plant and animal species in the United States, with ninety species of plants and animals that do not exist anywhere else in the world; and

     WHEREAS, one hundred twenty-two species of animals in the state are at risk of extinction, and twenty-two species have been extirpated from the state altogether; and

     WHEREAS, preventing the loss of further species is in the best interest of the state's future conservation efforts, economic vitality and quality of life; and

     WHEREAS, the alteration and development of New Mexico's natural areas to accommodate the state's rapidly growing population have contributed to the fragmentation and destruction of wildlife habitat, the degradation of water resources, the loss of agricultural lands and outdoor recreation space, the destruction of cultural and historic sites and the diminishment of wetlands and native bosque forests; and

     WHEREAS, the potential development of New Mexico's remaining natural areas and escalation of land values require governmental efforts to restore, enhance or acquire lands and riparian areas to preserve the state's invaluable quality of life; and

     WHEREAS, river bosques, arroyos, agricultural lands, wildlife habitat and historical and cultural sites are part of the state's heritage and should be preserved as a legacy for the next generation; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico residents strongly support the protection of the state's unique landscapes, open spaces, recreation areas and wildlife habitats; and

     WHEREAS, access to public lands supports a broad range of outdoor recreational opportunities; and

     WHEREAS, neglect of the state's land, water and wildlife will hinder the state's economy and its ability to attract desirable industries; and

     WHEREAS, the constitution of New Mexico declares that the protection of the state's beautiful and healthful environment is of fundamental importance to the public interest and that the legislature shall provide protection for the air, water and other natural resources; and

     WHEREAS, a broadly supported and broadly contributed citizen-based funding source for conserving wildlife habitats and for maintaining and developing open spaces and outdoor recreation areas throughout New Mexico is of utmost value;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of game and fish and the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to conduct a study to investigate sustainable alternative funding measures to protect New Mexico's unique landscapes, open spaces, recreation areas and wildlife habitats; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this study be completed no later than December 31, 2004; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the department of game and fish and the energy, minerals and natural resources department.

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