Master FIR (1988)

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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	Tsosie		DATE TYPED:	2/23/99		HB
SHORT TITLE:		Develop Four Corners Monument				SB	730
					ANALYST:		L. Kehoe

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY99	FY2000	FY99	FY2000	Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
	$ 500.0			Non-Recurring	General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

REVENUE

Estimated Revenue		Subsequent Years Impact	Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY99	FY2000	Subsequent Years Impact	Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
NFI	NFI	NFI	N/A	N/A

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Tourism Department

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 730 appropriates $500,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Office of Indian Affairs to provide matching funds with Colorado, Utah and Arizona to develop additional tourist services at the Four Corners National Monument.

Significant Issues

The Four Corners National Monument is located in northwestern New Mexico and is a very popular attraction for numerous visitors. Senate Bill 730 does not define "tourist services," however, permanent structures for Indian artisans, restroom facilities, drinking water, and paved parking improvements have been discussed for the last ten years, but never developed. The number of visitors has increased in past years and several articles have been written pointing out that the national monument is reflecting a great deal of wear and tear. The articles also portray the state as having disregard for the monument due to the lack of maintenance and care for the monument and its surrounding properties.

Senate Bill 730 proposes the general fund match with three other states, including Arizona, Colorado and Utah. The commitment of funds by the other states is unknown. However, it appears the improvements would benefit the Navajo Nation artisans the most.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The Tourism Department suggests the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) or other federal funds may be a source of funds for the proposed project. The improvements and any follow-up maintenance may have an administrative and fiscal impact on the Navajo Nation. It is likely the increased services and improvements could increase the number of visitors and thus would impact the costs of maintenance and repair of the monuments access road which is state road NM 597.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

Inasmuch as the term "services" is not defined, perhaps the bill should be amended to include the words "repair, renovations or improvements."

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

•Is there a financial commitment from the states of Arizona, Colorado and Utah to improve or develop tourist services at the Four Corners National Monument?

•Inasmuch as Navajo Nation artisans may benefit the most, is the Navajo Nation willing to fund the improved services?

•If tourism increases due to the improvements, is the state committed to repair and maintain the access road which is on the New Mexico side?

LMK/njw