SENATE BILL 708

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Ben D. Altamirano

AN ACT

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT; CREATING THE ROADLESS AREAS REVIEW TASK FORCE; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. TEMPORARY PROVISION--ROADLESS AREAS REVIEW TASK FORCE CREATED--MEMBERSHIP--APPOINTMENT.--

          A. The "roadless areas review task force" is created. The task force shall function from the effective date of this act through November 15, 2006.

           B. The roadless areas review task force shall be convened and chaired by the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources or the secretary's designee, who may contract with a mediator or other third party to facilitate the duties of the task force. The secretary shall provide staff for the task force.

          C. The other twelve members of the task force shall be appointed as follows:

                (1) the governor shall appoint eight members from areas of the state adjacent to or containing designated roadless areas, including:

                     (a) one person with expertise in fish and wildlife biology; and

                     (b) one representative each from a tribal or pueblo government, a county government, an off-highway recreational vehicle organization, an agricultural organization, a community land grant, an outfitters or guides organization and an environmental organization;

                (2) the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint two members; and

                (3) the president pro tempore of the senate shall appoint two members.

          D. The roadless areas review task force shall:

                (1) by September 15, 2006, hold public meetings to review new federal forest service rules on designation of New Mexico roadless areas. The public meetings shall be held at the State Capitol and in Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Carrizozo, Espanola, Grants, Las Vegas, Lordsburg, Mountainair, Raton, Reserve, Silver City, Socorro, Springer and Taos;

                (2) solicit and consider written and oral comments on federal rules regarding roadless area designation and conservation issued by the United States department of agriculture as a starting point for deliberations; and

                (3) make formal recommendations by September 30, 2006, each of which shall require the affirmative consent of eight members of the task force, to the governor for the governor's petition to the United States secretary of agriculture regarding conservation of areas designated as roadless areas by the United States department of agriculture.

          E. The roadless areas review task force may recommend to the governor for inclusion in his petition, based on approval of eight members, boundary adjustments to federal roadless area conservation rules and designations and improvements to federal management of roadless areas.

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the energy, minerals and natural resources department for expenditure in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 to accomplish the purposes of this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2007 shall revert to the general fund.

     Section 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.

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