HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 29

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

INTRODUCED BY

Jimmie C. Hall

FOR THE LAND GRANT COMMITTEE

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH TO REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ATTRIBUTABLE TO WILDLIFE AREAS AND THE IMPACT ON LOCAL ECONOMIES AND COMMUNITY LAND GRANTS ADJACENT TO WILDLIFE AREAS.

     WHEREAS, the department of game and fish manages and controls several wildlife areas throughout the state; and

     WHEREAS, these wildlife areas are often located in economically depressed rural areas of the state; and

     WHEREAS, these rural areas may not always benefit from their proximity to wildlife areas; and

     WHEREAS, the viability of these areas should be enhanced with proper management of these state resources; and

     WHEREAS, elk and other wildlife living in wildlife areas often migrate to adjacent lands, which may result in economic damage to adjacent landowners; and

     WHEREAS, it is unknown what economic benefits individuals owning lands adjacent to wildlife areas gain from the sale of elk and other wildlife permits granted to them by the department of game and fish; and

     WHEREAS, it is ambiguous as to what revenues and expenses are attributable to wildlife areas, or what the costs and benefits are to the areas and community land grants that are adjacent to wildlife areas;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of game and fish be requested to report to the first session of the forty-eighth legislature on the income and expenses attributable to each wildlife area, the impact on local economies and community land grants in each area adjacent to a wildlife area and the number of elk permits distributed to individuals owning land adjacent to each wildlife area; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the department of game and fish.

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