SENATE MEMORIAL 40

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Phil A. Griego

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS REFRAIN FROM

DESIGNATING ADDITIONAL WILDERNESS OR SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS

ADJOINING THE EXISTING PECOS WILDERNESS.

     WHEREAS, there is a movement that would designate additional acreage as wilderness and special management areas adjoining the existing Pecos wilderness in northern New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the federal Wilderness Act of 1964 prohibits the use of "motor vehicles", "motorized equipment" and any "other form of mechanical transport" as well as prohibiting any "structure or installation within any such area"; and

     WHEREAS, such prohibitions, limitations and restrictions prevent watershed restoration, flood control, acequia and watershed management for food production and municipal use; and

     WHEREAS, such prohibitions, limitations and restrictions prevent proper forest management by precluding timber sales, forest thinning and active fire suppression; and

     WHEREAS, such prohibitions, limitations and restrictions prevent proper livestock management by severely limiting the methods available to ranchers for maintaining fencing and water infrastructure; and

     WHEREAS, such prohibitions, limitations and restrictions prevent any nearby mining and other extractive industries important to the state; and

     WHEREAS, such prohibitions, limitations and restrictions limit access by law enforcement and search and rescue personnel because access is allowed only on foot or horseback; and

     WHEREAS, such prohibitions, limitations and restrictions discriminate against the aged and physically handicapped by making access to wilderness-designated lands inaccessible; and

     WHEREAS, such designations can diminish the fundamental economic opportunities of rural communities, including property values; and

     WHEREAS, recent wilderness designations in New Mexico have been devoid of a public process to engage those who may be negatively impacted by such a designation;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that New Mexico oppose the designation of any expanded wilderness or special management areas adjoining the existing Pecos wilderness; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico congressional delegation, the majority leader of the United States senate, the speaker of the United States house of representatives and the president of the United States.

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