SENATE MEMORIAL 50

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2012

INTRODUCED BY

Phil A. Griego

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS REFRAIN FROM DESIGNATING ADDITIONAL WILDERNESS AREAS SURROUNDING THE EXISTING PECOS WILDERNESS.

     WHEREAS, there is a local movement that would designate additional acreage as wilderness surrounding the 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 and 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 cattle management by severely limiting the methods available to ranchers for maintaining fencing and water infrastructure; and

     WHEREAS, such prohibitions, limitations and restrictions prevent 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 to them; and

     WHEREAS, wilderness designations can diminish the fundamental economic opportunities of rural communities, including, but not limited to, property values;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico congressional delegation be requested to oppose the designation of any additional wilderness area surrounding the existing Pecos wilderness; and

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

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