REQUESTING THAT THE STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT RESPECT TRADITIONAL RURAL COMMUNITIES, HISTORIC AND CULTURAL SITES AND INVOLVE LOCAL COMMUNITIES DURING RECONSTRUCTION OF STATE HIGHWAY 14.

WHEREAS, state highway 14 is a scenic roadway between Santa Fe and Cedar Crest, attracting significant tourist dollars to communities along the route; and

WHEREAS, the highway corridor traverses several traditional communities designated by Santa Fe county; and

WHEREAS, there are many historic sites also along the route; and

WHEREAS, these scenic, historic, prehistoric and culturally valued communities and sites may be damaged by construction of improvements to state highway 14; and

WHEREAS, the United States department of transportation federal highway administration has developed flexibility in highway design that allows for the preservation of historic and scenic value while ensuring safe and efficient highways;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state highway and transportation department be requested to involve the local communities, neighborhoods and businesses along state highway 14 in the development and adoption of the environmental assessment and final design of the reconstruction of state highway 14; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state highway and transportation department be requested to exercise care and sensitive planning in carrying out the reconstruction of state highway 14; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state highway and transportation department be requested to incorporate flexibility in highway design as set forth by the United States department of transportation federal highway administration in the final design of the reconstruction of state highway 14; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of highway and transportation, members of the Santa Fe board of county commissioners and state highway 14 citizen advisory committee.