SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 79

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Carlos R. Cisneros

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND FISH TO ENGAGE THE CITIZENRY IN IDENTIFYING ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO RESOLVE WILDLIFE DEPREDATION AND DAMAGE THAT CONSIDER LANDOWNER AND LEASEHOLDER NEEDS, MINIMIZE WASTE OF WILDLIFE AND INVOLVE JUDICIOUS DECISIONS BY THOSE KILLING WILDLIFE.

     WHEREAS, wildlife are a public trust resource, constituting hundreds of species distributed widely across the landscape of New Mexico and existing for broad appreciation and use by all citizens of the state; and

     WHEREAS, the economy of New Mexico is substantially dependent on wildlife-associated recreation, which is estimated to bring in nearly one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) annually statewide and which contributes significantly to the public treasury; and

     WHEREAS, this economy depends upon the effective and ongoing acceptance of wildlife ranging across the landscape, without placing undue hardship on those who own and manage the lands used by wildlife; and

     WHEREAS, these wildlife species occupy a landscape composed of a diverse mixture of public, private, state and tribal lands that form a complex matrix of habitats among land managers; and

     WHEREAS, wildlife species wander freely across boundaries of property owners and derive food, water and shelter variably from those lands; and

     WHEREAS, their movements and foraging habits sometimes conflict with property interests and the livelihoods of private property owners; and

     WHEREAS, existing statutes and associated regulations are incomplete in resolving landowner complaints through the department of game and fish; and

     WHEREAS, sometimes incomplete resolution has led to excessive dispute between private interests and the department of game and fish, occasionally resulting in wildlife being killed contrary to public sentiments; and

     WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the state of New Mexico to conserve wildlife while ensuring that landowners statewide are able to effectively pursue their livelihoods without having to bear excessive costs in providing habitats where wildlife live and feed; and

     WHEREAS, appropriate approaches to resolve wildlife conflicts will best arise from effective communication among public agency staff, affected landowners and other public stakeholders;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of game and fish be requested to communicate extensively and effectively with landowners and other citizenry to prepare revised statutory language and prospective associated regulations that will demonstrate broad citizen acceptance, share obligations and costs among all stakeholder groups, provide more effective resolution of wildlife damages, especially those arising from grazing wildlife and wildlife that prey on domestic livestock, and encourage thoughtful decisions by landowners facing wildlife conflicts, thereby minimizing waste from any wildlife killed; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of game and fish report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committee by December 1, 2004; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the department of game and fish and the office of the governor.

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