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

SPONSOR Ingle

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

01-30-08

HB

SHORT TITLE Study Blackwater Draw Archaeological Site

SJM 42

ANALYST Woods

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY08

FY09

NFI

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT (dollars in thousands)

FY08

FY09

FY10 3 Year

Total Cost

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

Total

NA

15.0

1

NA

15.0 Non-

Recurring General

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Joint Memorial 42 requests a study by the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources De-

partment, State Parks Division, as to the feasibility of a long-term partnership with Eastern New

Mexico University at the Blackwater Draw site, which would include analyzing its potential as a

State Park. EMNRD is requested to present the study and its recommendations to the appropri-

ate interim legislative committee by December 1, 2008.

There is no appropriation attached to this legislation.

1

Cost projections are included in the agency response. See Fiscal Implications section for methodology.

Senate Joint Memorial 42 – Page

2

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

EMNED notes to undertake a study that would cost the State Parks Division (SPD) around

$15,000 in personnel and other costs (salary, travel, per diem, printing, etc.). SPD does not have

available budget in FY08 to begin the study, SPD has not requested any funding in the FY09

budget to perform the requested study, and SJM 42 does not include any appropriations to SPD

in order to conduct the study. If no funds are appropriated for either fiscal year, study costs

would have to come out of the FY08 and FY09 operating budgets for SPD. Normally SPD esti-

mates the cost of such a study at $15,000, but because of the proximity to Oasis State Park and a

prior working relationship, SPD believes the cost can be less than usually estimated.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

As background, EMNRD indicates that the Blackwater Draw site near Portales is one of the best

known Paleo-Indian sites in North America and is recognized internationally for its significance.

Excavations at Blackwater Draw have uncovered some of the earliest evidence of human occu-

pation in North America in association with now-extinct, late Pleistocene fauna, including the

Columbian mammoth, bison antiquus, and dire wolf. This site was and continues to draw inter-

national scientific attention and visitation. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in

1961.

EMNRD adds that the Blackwater Draw site is one mile from Oasis State Park, and Eastern New

Mexico University (ENMU) owns and manages the property. A partnership between SPD and

ENMU at Blackwater Draw was begun in 2005, when the legislature authorized the expenditure

of funds by SPD to improve facilities and educational opportunities at Blackwater Draw. In

2007, SPD expended $74,000 at Blackwater Draw, constructing a group shelter and installing

interpretive signs throughout the site.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

EMNRD states: “Without supplemental appropriations to complete the study, SPD will have to

prioritize this study at the expense of other ongoing projects."

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL

No feasibility study will be prepared.

BFW/jp