A MEMORIAL

SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN HISTORIC EL CAMINO REAL IN COLFAX AND MORA COUNTIES AS A PUBLIC HIGHWAY PROVIDING ACCESS TO PUBLIC LANDS AND REQUESTING THAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND ITS AGENCIES JOIN IN THAT SUPPORT.

     WHEREAS, in 1905, the thirty-sixth legislative assembly enacted Laws 1905, Chapter 7, Section 1, establishing a public highway through the territory of New Mexico to be known as "El Camino Real", which had as its northern terminus a point in the Raton mountains on the border between the territory of New Mexico and the state of Colorado and as its southern terminus the town of Anthony on the border between the territory of New Mexico and the state of Texas; and

     WHEREAS, the cited law has remained in effect without change since its enactment and is compiled today as Section 67-9-2 NMSA 1978; and

     WHEREAS, over the many years of its existence, El Camino Real has provided public travel in and access to parts of Colfax and Mora counties, including state-owned land in the White Peak area that was open to the public for recreational use; and

     WHEREAS, during years of use, parts of El Camino Real in Colfax and Mora counties acquired state highway designation as state road 21 and state road 199; and

     WHEREAS, several years ago, a private landowner owning land adjacent to the roadway blocked it off, thereby cutting off the above-described public access; and

     WHEREAS, citizens of the area commenced efforts to reopen the historic road to the public and are now assisted by the attorney general in litigation to accomplish this;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the appropriate departments, agencies, boards and commissions of the executive branch be requested and encouraged to support the ongoing efforts to maintain public travel on and access by El Camino Real to areas historically served by this public highway; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the department of transportation, the commissioner of public lands and the state game commission.