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

SPONSOR Griego/Wallace

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

1/18/08

2/4/08

HB

SHORT TITLE Traditional Ways of Life in Forest Plan

SJM 13

ANALYST Cox

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial 13 addresses continuing and escalating problems in the Santa Fe National

Forest, particularly around Glorieta Mesa and the Jemez Mountains areas. There has been some

damage and nuisance factors caused by ‘off road’ vehicle users. The Joint Memorial states that

New Mexico cultural stakeholders, such as ranchers, local farmers, ‘quiet recreational users’ and

those interested it archeological significance have not had their voices equally heard. Ecological

and natural resource factors have not been given fair and equal voice. This Joint Memorial

requests the current US ‘off road’ Travel Management Plan Proposed Actions be suspended. The

Game and Fish Department is asked to comment by December 1, 2008. Copies of this Joint

Memorial are to be circulated to both federal and State interested and involved parties.

According to this Joint Memorial, certain stakeholders in this ‘off road’ vehicle usage,

regulation, and debate, feel that they have not been heard and seek mitigation.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

Senate Joint Memorial 13 addresses ‘off-road’ vehicle use in New Mexico. The Joint Memorial

states:

•

The United States Forest Service has created a set a set of rules to better manage

recreational vehicles.

•

There may be some adverse effects of such ‘off-road’ vehicle use that include:

‘Off-road’ vehicles and recreational users, who wish quiet recreation,

‘Off-road’ vehicles may impact historical sites.

‘Off-road’ vehicles may cause erosion, disturbance of wildlife and its migration,

destruction of watersheds, wildfires, and vandalism.

•

Rangers of the Bureau of Land Management have difficulty in enforcement aspects of

‘off-road’ vehicles. It takes extensive time and generates many law enforcement citations.

•

The United States Forest Service does not seem to have a practical plan for ‘off-road’

vehicle law enforcement of the Travel Management Plan, and road management.

•

In particular, some area of the Santa Fe National Forest, including Glorieta Mesa and the

Jemez mountains are rich in both archaeological sites and wildlife.

Senate Joint Memorial 13 – Page 2

•

New Mexico ranchers and forest permitees, who have used these lands for many

generations, have proved to be careful stewards of these lands.

•

US Government Travel Management Rules (TMR) guidelines are to take special

consideration of grazing permit holders.

•

US Santa Fe forest officials have been soliciting ‘off road’ vehicle users for their

opinions for over a year. The same amount of solicitation does not appear to have been

given to adjacent ranchers and grazing permitees.

•

There have been some intimidating events, such as families shot at in the Glorieta Mesa

area, reported by adjacent ranchers and grazing permitees.

•

In particular, Glorietta Mesa has not had substantial ‘off road’ vehicle use in the past, but

this use is increasing with detrimental effects.

•

Similar complaints have been voiced by adjacent ranchers and grazing permitees in the

Jemez mountains area.

•

This Joint Memorial notes that it is illegal to operate ‘all terrain vehicles’ on paved roads.

Particularly, the access to National Forest lands from Santa Fe County road 51 is unsafe

and is ‘an attractive nuisance’. There has been one death in the area.

The following requests are made in this Joint Memorial:

•

This Joint Memorial requests that traditional cultural preservation be a mandatory ‘filter’

in the decision-making process for this type of land use. It requests that all stakeholders’

opinions, such as local ranchers, farmers, adjacent property owners, permitees and ‘quiet’

recreational users be enlisted and given weight in a more equitable manner.

•

This Joint Memorial further requests that wildlife habitat and migrations, watersheds,

range lands, archaeology and natural resources be deemed as mandatory evaluation

‘filters’

•

This Joint Memorial also requests that safe access be established to the above-mentioned

areas.

•

The Joint Memorial requests that certain ‘off road’ vehicles routes may be deemed

unenforceable and be closed until enforcement can be guaranteed.

•

This Joint Memorial requests that the Game and Fish Department take an active role in

this process and issue.

•

The Joint Memorial requests that the current US Forest Service Travel Management Plan

Proposed Actions be suspended until all stakeholders have had equal input. It requests

that the Game and Fish Department report on these issues and findings by December 1,

2008.

•

The Joint Memorial requests that the US Forest Service “Plan shall be re-written to

preserve traditional New Mexico usage and heritage factors that have not been given

proper ‘weight’.

•

This Joint Memorial requests that copies of this Memorial be circulated to the federal

Secretary of Agriculture, The Chief of the US Forest Service, the New Mexico

Congressional delegation, and the New Mexico State Forester.

PRC/bb