HOUSE MEMORIAL 3

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Nathan P. Cote

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ASSEMBLE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE IMPACT OF AN EXPECTED DOUBLING OF THE SIZE OF WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE ON LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS AND OTHER STATE SERVICES.

     WHEREAS, White Sands missile range near Las Cruces and Alamogordo has received a new mission, expanding its responsibilities from being a test range to deploying and redeploying soldiers; and

     WHEREAS, currently, White Sands missile range has a daily economic impact of one million eight hundred thousand dollars ($1,800,000); and

     WHEREAS, White Sands missile range currently spans forty miles east to west; and

     WHEREAS, by fiscal year 2013, an additional eleven thousand three hundred twenty-eight soldiers and their family members are expected to be stationed at White Sands missile range; and

     WHEREAS, the number of persons on base will at least double by that year; and

     WHEREAS, it is estimated that some seven hundred fifty-eight million dollars ($758,000,000) will be required in new construction to prepare for housing the new residents; and

     WHEREAS, even with construction by a firm contracted from Washington, D.C., to accommodate those expected by 2013, White Sands missile range is likely to be short by eight hundred fifty-nine homes; and

     WHEREAS, another sum of approximately two hundred eighty million dollars ($280,000,000) will be needed for expanding roads to accommodate the newcomers; and

     WHEREAS, the impact on the surrounding communities in transportation, commuter support, construction and other needs is not yet clear; and

     WHEREAS, it is unclear how much funding will be required to school the families of those newly stationed at White Sands missile range; and

     WHEREAS, the increased needs for water and wastewater treatment because of the additional population could affect surrounding existing communities;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to assemble a task force to study the impact of doubling the size of White Sands missile range; to create a preliminary plan for transportation, school and wastewater and water improvements; and to coordinate information and recommendations with existing local groups convened to analyze similar problems; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force examine issues, including education, roads and transit and other infrastructure needs, as well as the need for an interstate compact; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council instruct the task force to report to the appropriate interim legislative committee by October 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council; White Sands missile range; the secretary of public education; the secretary of transportation; the secretary of economic development; the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources; and the governor.

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