44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 1999

REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE OF COMPENSATION FOR PRIVATE LANDS WITHIN THE PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT.

WHEREAS, Petroglyph national monument is a valuable cultural and historical monument; and

WHEREAS, the state has an obligation to deal with private property owners in a fair and equitable manner; and

WHEREAS, the state may have an obligation to compensate private property owners whose lands lie within Petroglyph national monument boundaries; and

WHEREAS, there is pending litigation concerning the state's obligation to compensate some private property owners for lands within the monument; and

WHEREAS, twenty additional acres of land may be subject to suit in the future if compensation issues are not resolved;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the office of the attorney general and the energy, minerals and natural resources department investigate the issue of compensation for private lands within the Petroglyph national monument and make recommendations to the legislative finance committee and the courts, corrections and criminal justice committee on the most expeditious and fair resolution of the issue; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the office of the attorney general and the energy, minerals and natural resources department.