HOUSE MEMORIAL 53

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Angelica Rubio and Stephanie Garcia Richard

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE LAND OFFICE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF OPENING STATE TRUST LANDS TO ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL AND ECOTOURISM OPPORTUNITIES.

     WHEREAS, the state land office is responsible for administering nine million acres of surface and thirteen million acres of subsurface estate for the beneficiaries of the state land trust, which includes schools, universities, hospitals and other important public institutions; and

     WHEREAS, state trust lands are not public lands, but are instead the subject of a public trust created to support the education of the children of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, state trust land is located in thirty-two of New Mexico's thirty-three counties; and

     WHEREAS, recreational access to state trust land is gained through a permit system determined by the specific type of use, such as hiking, camping, hunting and recreation for education; and

     WHEREAS, visitors purchase recreational access permits from the state land office to access state trust lands; and

     WHEREAS, permission is required to legally access trust land, and some activities are prohibited or restricted on state trust land; and

     WHEREAS, camping is allowed on leased state trust land with the written permission of the surface lessee; and

     WHEREAS, state trust land recreational areas include Mystery stone in Valencia county, Monticello box in Sierra county, Moon mountain in Lincoln county, Black lake in Colfax county, Melrose trap in Curry county, the Rio Grande bosque in Bernalillo county, La Semilla in Bernalillo county, Sierra grande in Union county, White peak in Colfax county and the Luera mountains in Catron county; and

     WHEREAS, in the 2016-2017 state game commission easement, several pre-approved camping areas for hunters were allocated throughout the state, and sites and access points still are being determined; and

     WHEREAS, according to the outdoor industry association's national outdoor recreation economy report, recreation and ecotourism in New Mexico generate nine billion nine hundred million dollars ($9,900,000,000) in annual consumer spending, generate ninety-nine thousand direct jobs, generate two billion eight hundred million dollars ($2,800,000,000) in New Mexico wages and salaries and contribute six hundred twenty-three million dollars ($623,000,000) to state and local tax revenue; and

     WHEREAS, opening state public lands for additional ecotourism and recreational opportunities would substantially contribute to state and local tax revenues and help diversify rural economies with low-impact revenue-generating activities, such as birding, horseback riding, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing and mountain biking; and

     WHEREAS, additional recreational opportunities on state lands would complement and bolster the tourism department's New Mexico true advertising campaign and contribute to tourism, one of the state's fastest-growing sustainable economic sectors;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state land office be requested to study the feasibility and economic impact of opening state trust lands to additional recreational and ecotourism opportunities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state land office be requested to report its findings and conclusions to the appropriate interim legislative committee by October 1, 2018; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the commissioner of public lands, the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council and the secretary of tourism.

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