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

SPONSOR Taylor

DATE TYPED 02/16/05 HB

SHORT TITLE Funding Intent of Rio Grande State Park Act

SB 529

ANALYST Ford

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 529 provides that it is the intent of the Rio Grande Valley State Park Act that the

state parks division (SPD) of EMNRD not bear the operating costs for the Rio Grande Valley

state park except for the area within the Rio Grande nature center state park. The bill further

provides that the state may expend funds within the boundaries of the entire Rio Grande Valley

state park as it deems appropriate.

Significant Issues

According to EMNRD, The Rio Grande Valley state park consists of lands owned and controlled

by the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) in the floodway of the Rio Grande,

adjacent levees, service roads, riverside drains and conservancy district lands contiguous to the

river in Bernalillo county (with certain exceptions, such as private land, pueblo land, and lands

held by public agencies other than the conservancy district.) SPD operates the Rio Grande na-

ture center in the north valley portion of the park on land owned by the City of Albuquerque, and

not included by the current statute as part of the Rio Grande Valley state park.

Senate Bill 529 -- Page 2

The Secretary of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department entered into an operat-

ing agreement with the City of Albuquerque for the park in order to make the law effective. The

City administers the park pursuant to a management plan adopted after public hearings.

The Rio Grande Valley state park is managed by the City of Albuquerque with a joint powers

agreement with the MRGCD.

EF/yr