SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 16

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Steve Komadina

A JOINT 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 of Spanish colonial descent 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 Indian, Hispanic, ranching and farming cultures of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, there are several herds of wild horses descended from the Spanish horses introduced into New Mexico in the 1500s that range freely on lands owned by the federal bureau of land management in Sandoval county near the village of Placitas; and

     WHEREAS, although tourism is the second-largest industry in the state, 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, a partnership between the state and the federal government to protect, manage and promote several of the remaining wild horse herds in Sandoval county through the establishment of a wild horse state park would promote a national legacy with great cultural significance and would increase tourism revenues in the area of Sandoval county; and

     WHEREAS, the federal bureau of land management will be updating the resource management plan for five thousand acres under its jurisdiction located in Sandoval county, which update may provide a unique opportunity for the creation of a wild horse state park; and

     WHEREAS, the federal Recreation and Public Purposes Act of 1954 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;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department be requested to conduct a study of the feasibility of establishing a wild horse state park located on five thousand acres of land to be acquired from the federal bureau of land management that will be accessible through the village of Placitas in Sandoval county; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state parks division present its findings and recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committees by September 1, 2008; 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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