HOUSE CONSUMER AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE MEMORIAL 3

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

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO CONSULT WITH STATE AND LOCAL INTERESTS, TRIBES AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES WHEN DESIGNATING NATIONAL MONUMENTS.

     WHEREAS, the federal Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes the president of the United States to designate as national monuments "historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures and other objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated upon the lands owned or controlled by the Government of the United States" in the state of New Mexico and elsewhere; and

     WHEREAS, the president has previously exercised this authority to protect some of New Mexico's most cherished and significant places, including Chaco canyon, Carlsbad caverns and White Sands national monument; and

     WHEREAS, the state probably contains additional sites on federal land that meet the criteria for national monument designation; and

     WHEREAS, the residents of New Mexico have a clear and compelling interest in how federal lands in the state are managed; and

     WHEREAS, the federal Antiquities Act of 1906 requires national monument lands to be "confined to the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected" and necessary to preserve and protect the historical sites or objects; and

     WHEREAS, the residents of New Mexico wholeheartedly embrace the opportunity to engage constructively and participate in identifying and recommending sites and boundaries of potential national monument designations; and

     WHEREAS, the president of the United States should recognize and take steps to ensure the interests of the residents of New Mexico in the process of designation of national monuments in the state; and

     WHEREAS, sustainable land management and conservation policies are best developed and administered with local government and community support and commitment to those policies;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it request formal consultation and coordination among the president of the United States, the governor of New Mexico, the New Mexico congressional delegation, the New Mexico legislature, local officials and interested conservation, industry, Indian nations, tribes or pueblos and user groups ensuring transparency and open public participation prior to any designation of national monuments in New Mexico; 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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