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



SPONSOR: Rodarte DATE TYPED: 02/12/00 HB
SHORT TITLE: Elk Herd Size and Carrying Capacities SB SJM 65
ANALYST: Valenzuela

APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
 Recurring

or Non-Rec

 Fund

Affected

FY00 FY01 FY00 FY01
NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates HJM 71



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC files

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



Senate Joint Memorial 65 requests the Department of Game and Fish in cooperation with federal land and wildlife management agencies develop a strategic elk management plan to manage and contain the elk herd population when necessary. The plan is to be based on elk quantity, quality of habitat and the established carrying capacity.



The memorial also requests that the plan be developed utilizing a process that includes landowners and sportsmen.



Significant Issues



Given the breadth and depth of the request, carrying out the request would require the agency to commit substantial resources to the project. In addition, cooperation from the affected federal agencies, Indian tribes, landowners and sportsmen would be needed. The analysis prepared by the Department of Game and Fish states that the cooperation of neighboring states would also be necessary.



Other issues revolve around coordination of the activities, fiscal impact on federal agencies and other states, the differing goals of the various stakeholders involved in developing the plan and obtaining the cooperation of all parties involved.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



There is no direct fiscal impact from the memorial itself.



However, Department of Game and Fish staff project an agency cost of $2,000.0 to conduct the study and develop the plan with an additional $1,500.0 required to annually monitor elk herds and carrying capacity.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



The Department of Game and Fish staff estimate conducting the study will require 10 FTE (2 supervisors and 8 technicians).



POSSIBLE QUESTIONS



MV/gm