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A 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 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
reintroduced into New Mexico 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
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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 SENATE OF THE
STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state parks division of the
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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 November 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.