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A JOINT MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE ENERGY, MINERALS AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW MEXICO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO
SUPPORT THE COMPLETION OF THE RIO GRANDE TRAIL.
WHEREAS, the Rio Grande, the second largest river system
in the country, flows nearly five hundred miles through the
heart of New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, the Rio Grande is a precious lifeline that
connects nature, history, culture and communities across
millennia; and
WHEREAS, the 2004 statewide comprehensive outdoor
recreation plan identified trails as the number one
recreation priority for the public in New Mexico; and
WHEREAS, across the United States, trails are important
components of recreation, tourism, economic development,
conservation, alternative transportation, education and
health and fitness strategies; and
WHEREAS, an extensive network of routes suitable for
trail use by the public already exists along large portions
of the Rio Grande valley; and
WHEREAS, the development of a Rio Grande trail along as
much of the river corridor as feasible and appropriate would
create significant public benefits for New Mexico by
connecting communities, promoting recreation and healthy
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lifestyles, stimulating tourism and economic development and
supporting river and bosque education and protection; and
WHEREAS, the development of the Rio Grande trail will
require a multiyear effort involving the cooperation and
commitment of diverse local, state, federal, tribal and
private entities; and
WHEREAS, route selection and planning for the Rio Grande
trail must respect all landowners, especially private
landowners and the sovereign governments of New Mexico's
tribes and pueblos; and
WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature has appropriated
four million dollars ($4,000,000) for the first phases of
planning, design and construction of the Rio Grande trail;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE
STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the proposed Rio Grande trail be a
project of statewide and national significance that should be
completed as soon as possible for the benefit of present and
future generations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state parks division of
the energy, minerals and natural resources department be the
lead agency for the completion of the Rio Grande trail; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislature
endeavor to support completion of the Rio Grande trail by
providing, to the extent possible, regular, sustained funding
to the energy, minerals and natural resources department to
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facilitate planning, environmental compliance, route
designation, construction and maintenance; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state parks division of
the energy, minerals and natural resources department
endeavor to develop and stimulate private sector,
nongovernmental participation and support for the Rio Grande
trail that supplements public funds for the project; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of
transportation be requested to partner with the energy,
minerals and natural resources department in the project and
provide, to the maximum extent feasible, funding from the
federal transportation enhancement program to help complete
the Rio Grande trail; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico congressional
delegation be requested to endeavor to support completion of
the Rio Grande trail by encouraging the participation of
affected federal agencies in the project and by seeking
appropriate federal funding support from diverse sources; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the secretary of energy, minerals and natural
resources, the secretary of transportation and the members of
the New Mexico congressional delegation.