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| SPONSOR: | Cisneros | DATE TYPED: | 02/12/01 | HB | |||
| SHORT TITLE: | Red River Ski Area Expansion | SB | 471 | ||||
| ANALYST: | Padilla | ||||||
| Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
| FY01 | FY02 | FY01 | FY02 | ||
| $ 500.0 | Non-Recurring | General Fund | |||
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
LFC files
Economic Development Department (EDD)
Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)
Department of Environment
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
Senate Bill 471 appropriates $500.0 from the general fund to the Local Government Division of the Department of Finance and Administration for the purpose of planning for redevelopment and expansion of the Red River ski area.
Significant Issues
The bill covers expenditures for a master plan, feasibility study and environmental impact statement for redevelopment and expansion of the Red River Ski area.
The Red River ski area is a private, for-profit enterprise. Land management is by the Carson National Forest. Because the appropriation made by this bill would directly benefit the Red River ski area, the bill may violate the anti-donation clause of the New Mexico constitution.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $500.0 contained in this bill is a non-recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2002 shall revert to the general fund.
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
The Department of Environment adds:
Senate Bill 471 correctly recognizes the need for environmental impact analysis before any redevelopment of the ski area is undertaken. The Red River watershed is severely degraded by both natural and human-induced impacts. The Red River ski area is one of these. Redevelopment of the ski area implies modifications to the existing circumstance. Any such modifications must be analyzed for possible impacts to the watershed and the Red River. One important goal of redeveloping the ski area should be to minimize impacts to the watershed and the Red River.
ALTERNATIVES
The Economic Development Department believes the community of Red River could apply for grant funding from the Carson National Forest for a master plan and an environmental impact statement. EDD notes that the Santa Fe National Forest provided a grant for similar work for the Santa Fe ski basin.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
Does the appropriation contained in this bill violate the anti-donation clause of the New Mexico constitution?
LP/ar