HOUSE MEMORIAL 83

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

INTRODUCED BY

Jeff Steinborn

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE PARKS DIVISION OF THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO EVALUATE ALTERNATIVE FUNDING MECHANISMS TO COMPLETE THE RIO GRANDE TRAIL AND RECOGNIZING FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM PORTER.

     WHEREAS, the Rio Grande is a precious lifeline in New Mexico that connects nature, history, culture and communities across millennia; and

     WHEREAS, the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department has launched an ambitious project to complete the Rio Grande trail, a multiuse trail along as much of the river corridor in New Mexico as is feasible and appropriate; and

     WHEREAS, the development of a Rio Grande trail would create significant public benefits for New Mexico, connecting communities, promoting recreation and healthy lifestyles, stimulating tourism and economic development and supporting river and bosque education and protection; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature of the state of New Mexico has endorsed the completion of the Rio Grande trail through passage of House Joint Memorial 49 and Senate Joint Memorial 44 in 2007; and

     WHEREAS, the state parks division and the mid-region council of governments are making strong progress on the Rio Grande trail, having completed preliminary route analyses and plans for segments between Bernalillo and Sunland Park and have begun implementing these plans; and

     WHEREAS the Rio Grande trail will require a sustained commitment over the long term to construct, maintain and manage the project, which should involve the state of New Mexico and many other partners at the federal, state and local levels; and

     WHEREAS, the honorable William Porter, a former New Mexico state representative who served with distinction while representing Dona Ana county, has been a visionary advocate for the concept of the Rio Grande trail for many years; and

     WHEREAS, former Representative Porter has developed extensive research on the benefits, feasibility and necessary planning needed for the development of the Rio Grande trail;

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

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to study long-term funding options for the construction and management of the Rio Grande trail and to present its findings to the legislature by December 1, 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that William Porter be honored and recognized for his outstanding contribution to the conceptualization and realization of this visionary project; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department and the county of Dona Ana collaborate in order to honor Representative Porter in an appropriate fashion at some point along the Rio Grande trail within Dona Ana county; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources, to the chair of the Dona Ana county commission and to former state Representative William Porter.

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