SENATE MEMORIAL 26

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE PARKS DIVISION OF THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ACQUIRING LAND FOR A WILD HORSE STATE PARK.

     WHEREAS, wild horses are part of New Mexico's living heritage and history, but they are endangered and may become extinct in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, like the buffalo, wild horses are emblematic of the old west, and it is the image of wild horses running free across the plains of the west that lives in the hearts and minds of Americans; and

     WHEREAS, the wild horse is part of New Mexico's enchantment and essence and is an integral part of the Native American, Hispanic, ranching and farming cultures of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, tourism in New Mexico could increase by attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world who are intrigued by the history, culture and art of the American west; and

     WHEREAS, a wild horse state park could prompt local economic development by drawing tourists into a region to see nondomesticated horses in a natural setting; and

     WHEREAS, a wild horse state park could link history and culture to attract visitors; and

     WHEREAS, a wild horse state park could serve as a valuable resource for educational and youth-oriented organizations; and

     WHEREAS, the federal Recreation and Public Purposes Act provides that a state or state agency may acquire up to six thousand four hundred acres of land annually for recreation purposes at no cost; and

     WHEREAS, there are no reliable data on the total number of wild horses roaming in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, there are wild horses under the management of the United States forest service and the bureau of land management within the United States department of the interior and on state public, private and tribal lands; and

     WHEREAS, the number of acres and the cost of maintaining wild horses would depend on how much forage wild horses would consume on a potential location and how much forage is available;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to study potential locations and the feasibility of acquiring land for a wild horse state park; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state parks division be requested to propose a plan to quantify the number and location of wild horses in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state parks division be requested to estimate the cost of maintaining wild horses for potential locations on which to locate a wild horse state park; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state parks division present its findings and recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committees by November 1, 2019; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources and to the director of the state parks division.

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