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.167280.1
HOUSE MEMORIAL 37
48
TH LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2007
INTRODUCED BY
Ben Lujan
A MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT TO ESTABLISH THE RIO
GRANDE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AREA.
WHEREAS, the Rio Grande del Norte connects New Mexico from
its northern to its southern boundary, connecting people and
communities along its natural course; and
WHEREAS, the Rio Grande corridor from the Colorado border
in Taos county to the village of Velarde in Rio Arriba county
is defined by the unique geologic formations of the Rio Grande
gorge created by volcanic basalt flows from the volcanoes of
the Taos plateau and the underlying Rio Grande rift; and
WHEREAS, the Rio Grande migratory flyway represents one of
the great natural migratory routes in the world, and this
flyway provides for some of the greatest diversity of flora and
fauna in the American southwest; and
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.167280.1
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WHEREAS, the volcanic basalt cliffs of the Rio Grande
gorge provide for regionally high densities of nesting eagles,
hawks, falcons and owls, and these naturally occurring nesting
areas can constitute a Rio Grande bird-of-prey area similar to
the Snake river bird-of-prey area in Idaho; and
WHEREAS, the Rio Grande wild and scenic corridor provides
a unique game fishing habitat of national renown and is
currently being managed by the bureau of land management and
the New Mexico department of game and fish as special fishing
waters; and
WHEREAS, the San Antonio mountain and the Punche valley
provide a unique winter habitat for large migratory elk herds
from both Colorado and New Mexico that is managed by the bureau
of land management and the New Mexico department of game and
fish; and
WHEREAS, the Taos plateau and the Punche valley are
jointly managed as a pronghorn antelope area by the bureau of
land management and the New Mexico department of game and fish;
and
WHEREAS, the establishment of the Rio Grande wildlife
conservation area will provide future generations of New
Mexicans continued enjoyment of the recreational opportunities
to hunt, fish, observe wildlife and experience solitude;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the bureau of
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.167280.1
land management be requested to establish the Rio Grande
wildlife conservation area; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico department of
game and fish and the New Mexico state land office cooperate
with the bureau of land management under multiple-use and
sustained yield management to maintain the highest wildlife
values possible within the area; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the state director of the bureau of land
management, the secretary of the interior, the New Mexico
congressional delegation, the director of the department of
game and fish and the state commissioner of public lands.
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