HOUSE MEMORIAL 59

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2020

INTRODUCED BY

Andrea Romero and Linda M. Trujillo

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

URGING THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE TO ANALYZE THE IMPACT ON GLOBAL WARMING OF FOREST THINNING AND BURNING PROJECTS IN NEW MEXICO.

 

     WHEREAS, global warming is arguably the biggest environmental threat to the planet; and

     WHEREAS, it is imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and

     WHEREAS, the world's forests contain more carbon than exploitable oil, gas and coal deposits; and

     WHEREAS, avoiding forest carbon emissions is just as urgent as halting fossil fuel use; and

     WHEREAS, trees absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere; and

     WHEREAS, planting trees is one of the most effective solutions to climate change; and

     WHEREAS, prescribed burns emit carbon into the atmosphere, thereby increasing global warming; and

     WHEREAS, extreme conditions of drought, low humidity, high temperatures and high winds brought on by climate change are responsible for large wildfires; and

     WHEREAS, numerous studies conclude that under extreme fire conditions such as dry vegetation and high winds, tree thinning as a fire prevention method fails, largely because embers jump all barriers including bare land; and

     WHEREAS, the United States forest service is required pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to analyze the potential environmental impacts of any project, including the thinning and burning of forests;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States forest service be urged to weigh the benefits and harm caused by forest thinning and burning and consider alternative management strategies; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States forest service be urged to thoroughly assess the impact of forest thinning and burning projects on global warming prior to implementation of such projects; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the federal secretary of agriculture, the chief of the United States forest service and the forest supervisors for the Carson, Cibola, Gila, Lincoln and Santa Fe national forests.

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