HOUSE MEMORIAL 39

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Nathan P. Cote

A MEMORIAL

SUPPORTING THE COMPLETION OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL.

     WHEREAS, congress established and designated the continental divide national scenic trail on November 10, 1978 under the authority of the National Trails System Act; and

     WHEREAS, the continental divide national scenic trail is a nationally significant resource linking federal, state and private lands from Mexico to Canada for over three thousand one hundred miles along the continental divide, and provides long-distance backcountry trail experiences for hikers and equestrians; and

     WHEREAS, the continental divide national scenic trail will travel approximately six hundred fifty miles through western New Mexico and create significant public benefits for the state by connecting communities, promoting recreation and healthy lifestyles, stimulating tourism and economic development and educating the public about the natural, historic and cultural resources along the trail; and

     WHEREAS, the 2004 statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan identified trails as the number one recreation priority for the public in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, across the United States, trails are important components of recreation, tourism, economic development, conservation, alternative transportation, education and health and fitness strategies; and

     WHEREAS, the State Trails System Act authorizes the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources to establish and designate trails on lands under the jurisdiction of a federal agency when, in the opinion of the federal agency and the secretary, such lands may be developed under the provisions of federal law; and

     WHEREAS, the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources may enter into written cooperative agreements for joint federal-state administration of any New Mexico component of the national trails system, provided such agreements for administration of land uses are not less restrictive than those set forth in the State Trails System Act; and

     WHEREAS, the completion of the continental divide national scenic trail will require the cooperation and commitment of diverse local, state, federal, tribal and private entities;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the continental divide national scenic trail be a project of statewide and national significance that should be completed as soon as possible for the benefit of present and future generations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state assist the affected local, state, federal, tribal and private entities in the completion of the New Mexico segment of the continental divide national scenic trail; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department serve as the lead state agency involved in the completion of the continental divide national scenic trail, and that the state land office should also support this effort; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the house of representatives support completion of the continental divide national scenic trail by providing, to the extent possible, funding to the energy, minerals and natural resources department to facilitate planning, environmental compliance, route designation, construction and maintenance; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department and the state land office be requested to partner with the federal bureau of land management, the United States forest service, the national park service and other local, tribal and private entities in the completion of the continental divide national scenic trail in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico congressional delegation be requested to support completion of the continental divide national scenic trail by seeking appropriate federal funding support; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources, the commissioner of public lands and the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.

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