SENATE MEMORIAL 43

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

INTRODUCED BY

Tim Eichenberg

A MEMORIAL

EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT OF THE SENATE FOR THE DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY ALONG THE RIO GRANDE IN BERNALILLO COUNTY AS A NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.

     WHEREAS, the United States fish and wildlife service, a bureau within the United States department of the interior, is studying the feasibility of establishing a national urban wildlife refuge along the Rio Grande in Bernalillo county, just a few miles from Albuquerque; and

     WHEREAS, the proposed urban wildlife refuge would consist of the five-hundred-seventy-acre site formerly operated as Price's dairy and would be the only urban wildlife refuge in the southwest; and

     WHEREAS, the United States fish and wildlife service held three public workshops during February 2011 to provide information, respond to questions and listen to the community's ideas, issues and concerns about the proposed urban wildlife refuge; and

     WHEREAS, overwhelming and broad-based support for the establishment of an urban wildlife refuge at this location was expressed by area residents who attended these public workshops; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to conserving the Rio Grande bosque habitat and open space, the urban wildlife refuge would provide outdoor educational opportunities for youth throughout central New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the preliminary vision for the site includes an active place-based learning program that can accommodate school groups each day; and

     WHEREAS, according to Benjamin Tuggle, regional director for the United States fish and wildlife service, "The site provides outstanding habitat for neo-tropical migratory birds, and other important natural resources. A national wildlife refuge in this area would help us conserve these resources while still allowing the public to enjoy this beautiful property."; and

     WHEREAS, the Bernalillo county commission recently appropriated five million dollars ($5,000,000) to support the project in the event that it is federally approved, a local contribution that will sunset in September 2012 should this wildlife refuge not be established by that time; and

     WHEREAS, Bernalillo county commissioner Art de la Cruz stated, "The south valley has some of the most threatened open space properties that could easily be bought out by developers if we don't protect and preserve these precious gems within our community."; and

     WHEREAS, United States Senator Jeff Bingaman, United States Senator Tom Udall and Congressman Martin Heinrich wrote a letter to Ken Salazar, secretary of the United States department of the interior, requesting that the property formerly operated as Price's dairy in Albuquerque be added to the national wildlife refuge system and thanking the secretary for his continued support for protecting natural resources in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, it is the mission of the United States fish and wildlife service to work with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people; and

     WHEREAS, establishing this area as a national wildlife refuge will preserve the natural flyway of birds migrating from Canada to the southern United States; and

     WHEREAS, migratory birds will appreciate the habitat, as will residents of New Mexico, who will use the open space for generations to come;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that support be expressed for the designation of property along the Rio Grande in Bernalillo county as a national wildlife refuge; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the United States fish and wildlife service and the m embers of the New Mexico congressional delegation.

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