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

SPONSOR Komadina

DATE TYPED 3/5/05

HB

SHORT TITLE Wild Horse Management & Tourism Programs

SB SJM 41

ANALYST Wilson

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

NFI

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Game & Fish Department (GFD)

Tourism Department (TD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial

requests

the federal government to do the following:

•

develop the three existing wild horse territories in New Mexico and to open other na-

tional wild horse territories in New Mexico where herds currently exist;

•

endeavor to maintain a minimum herd size of two hundred in each national wild horse

territory for genetic viability and for tourism;

•

control wild horse populations where overpopulation does exist by the use of contracep-

tion rather than sale of excess animals;

•

move the excess animals to other wild horse territories, preferably in New Mexico, or

place them with private or state wild horse preserves after DNA testing to determine if

the horses are Spanish-line descendants;

•

not use helicopters in the state's rugged terrain to round up wild horses, especially during

foaling season; and

•

honor the cultural heritage and history of New Mexico by maintaining Spanish-line and

other wild horse populations for the enjoyment and education of New Mexico residents

Senate Joint Memorial 41 -- Page 2

and other visitors to the state.

In addition state government is requested to develop advertising and other tourist-related infor-

mation featuring the wild horses of New Mexico

Significant Issues

GFD reports m

Management of wild horses has some possibility of conflicting with wildlife

management. Eliminating round up of wild horse with helicopters, particularly during foaling

season, helps alleviate concerns of disturbance to wildlife species, especially ungulate species,

during calving or fawning seasons. Depending on the location of the wild horse territories and

the number of horses in each herd, there is a possibility of competition for habitat between wild

horses and native ungulate species.

TD does not commonly engage in the development of events, nor does it usually take an active

role in the planning of such events. It, however, actively promotes and advertises numerous

events throughout the state with the intent to attract tourist to New Mexico.

New Mexico started out with twelve national wild horse territories but now has only three terri-

tories. The wild horse population of New Mexico on federal lands in 1973 was over six thou-

sand, but currently the total wild horse population of New Mexico on federal lands is under four

hundred.

Wild horses of Spanish colonial descent are part of New Mexico's living heritage and history, but

they are endangered and may become extinct in New Mexico. There are increased efforts in the

State to ensure the preservation of the descendants of those horses who came to the new world

with the conquistadores, one means being DNA testing of wild horses and removing Spanish-line

horses to separate preserves.

Like the buffalo, wild horses are emblematic of the old west, and it is the image of wild horses

running free across the plains of the west that lives in the hearts and minds of Americans. It was

with this idea in mind that the United States congress recognized that these living symbols of the

historic pioneer spirit of the west were fast disappearing from the American scene and passed the

Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 to protect wild horses.

The wild horse is part of New Mexico's enchantment and essence and an integral part of the In-

dian, Hispanic, ranching and farming cultures. Although tourism is the second largest industry in

the state, the national wild horse territories in New Mexico are not advertised by either the fed-

eral or state governments and the State, in particular, is missing an opportunity to draw thou-

sands of tourists from all over the world who are intrigued by the history, culture and art of the

American west;

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

This bill will require the redirection of some TD personnel to engage in activities not currently

assigned, such as development of events. It might be possible to contract with people experi-

enced in developing and promoting this type of event.

DW/yr