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.165553.1
SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8
48
TH
LEGISLATURE
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
FIRST SESSION
, 2007
INTRODUCED BY
Steve Komadina
A JOINT MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO LOOK AT IMPROVING
MANAGEMENT OF WILD HORSE HERDS AND REQUESTING THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP TOURISM PROGRAMS AT NATIONAL WILD HORSE
TERRITORIES AND OTHER WILD HORSE RANGES.
WHEREAS, New Mexico started out with twelve national wild
horse territories but now has only three territories; and
WHEREAS, the wild horse population of New Mexico on
federal lands in 1973 was over six thousand, but currently the
total wild horse population of New Mexico on federal lands is
under four hundred and is targeted at two hundred eighteen;
and
WHEREAS, wild horses of Spanish colonial descent are part
of New Mexico's living heritage and history, but they are
endangered and may become extinct in New Mexico; and
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WHEREAS, there are increased efforts in the state to
ensure the preservation of the descendants of those horses who
came to the new world with the conquistadores, one means being
DNA testing of wild horses and removing Spanish-line horses to
separate preserves; 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, it was with this idea in mind that the United
States congress recognized that these living symbols of the
historic pioneer spirit of the west were fast disappearing
from the American scene and passed the Wild Free-Roaming
Horses and Burros Act of 1971 to protect wild horses; and
WHEREAS, the wild horse is part of New Mexico's
enchantment and essence and an integral part of the Indian,
Hispanic, ranching and farming cultures; and
WHEREAS, although tourism is the second-largest industry
in the state, the national wild horse territories in New
Mexico are not advertised by either the federal or state
government; and
WHEREAS, the state, in particular, is missing an
opportunity to draw thousands of tourists from all over the
world who are intrigued by the history, culture and art of the
American west;
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.165553.1
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE
STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the federal government be requested
to develop the three existing wild horse territories in New
Mexico and to open other national wild horse territories in
New Mexico where herds currently exist; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the federal government
endeavor to maintain a minimum herd size of two hundred in
each national wild horse territory for genetic viability and
for tourism; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the federal government
control wild horse populations by the use of contraception
rather than sale of excess animals; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that when overpopulation does
exist, the federal government move the excess animals to other
wild horse territories, preferably in New Mexico, or place
them with private or state wild horse preserves after DNA
testing to determine if the horses are Spanish-line
descendants; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that helicopters not be used in
the state's rugged terrain to round up wild horses, especially
during foaling season; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the federal government honor
the cultural heritage and history of New Mexico by maintaining
Spanish-line and other wild horse populations for the
enjoyment and education of New Mexico residents and other
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.165553.1
visitors to the state; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the heads of the bureau of land management of
the United States department of the interior and the forest
service of the United States department of agriculture; the
secretaries of the interior and agriculture; and the New
Mexico congressional delegation.
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