HOUSE MEMORIAL 3

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Yvette Herrell

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING CONGRESS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR TO ABSTAIN FROM DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL MONUMENTS WITHOUT LOCAL JURISDICTIONAL CONSENT.

     WHEREAS, the proposed designation of national monuments in the state of New Mexico clearly violates the spirit and letter of the federal Antiquities Act of 1906, which requires monument lands to be "confined to the smallest area" necessary to preserve and protect historical areas or objects; and

     WHEREAS, the people of the state of New Mexico, the legislature, the governor and congress have not consented to or approved this designation, yet the creation of new national monuments in New Mexico could potentially have significant economic impact on the state; and

     WHEREAS, instead of working as a partner to help local communities and states define and achieve their conservation goals, the federal government dictates unilateral actions that affect this country and exclude citizens and local governments from making land management decisions in communities; and

     WHEREAS, land management and conservation efforts are best administered and managed at the local government level; and

     WHEREAS, the failure of the federal government to recognize and respect this basic tenet represents an arrogant usurpation by federal powers and a violation of states' rights;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it denounce the designation of national monuments in New Mexico without the full public participation, consent and approval of local governments, the legislature, the governor and the congress of the United States; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that congress and the department of the interior be requested to take action to prevent the designation of any national monuments in New Mexico without the full public participation, consent and approval of local governments, the legislature and the governor; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the United States, the secretary of the interior, the president pro tempore of the United States senate, the speaker of the United States house of representatives and members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.

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