[Coalition_for_valle_vidal] ACTION ALERT: State Legislature: SB 407

[Jim O'Donnell]

Valle Vidal Supporters,
 
Your Urgent Support Is Needed for: Senate Bill SB 407 & House Bill HB 
188 : LAND, WILDLIFE AND CLEAN ENERGY ACT
 
These bills will provide permanent funding that we could use for 
conservation and restoration projects and wildlife management in the 
Valle Vidal. It also would fund clean energy programs.  Contact 
information below.
 
The first hearing for SB 407 will come before the Senate Conservation 
Committee on Tuesday, 1/31/06, 2:00 pm, RM 311 at the State Capital.

Please make your calls TODAY!
 
 
CONTACT
 
Carlos R. Cisneros
Chair
D
986-4861
carlos.cisneros at nmlegis.gov
 Dist. 6: Los Alamos, Rio Arriba. Santa Fe,  Taos

Phil A. Griego
Vice Chair
D
986-4265
phil.griego at nmlegis.gov
Dist 39:  Los Alamos Mora,
Sandoval, San Miguel,
Santa Fe & Taos

William E. Sharer
Ranking Member
R
986-4381
bill at williamsharer.com
Dist. 1: San Juan

Ben D. Altamirano
Member
D
986-4733
! NONE
Dist. 28, Catron, Grant & Socorro

Clinton D. Harden
Member
R
986-4369
charden at theosogroup.com
Dist 7: Colfax, Curry, Harding, Quay,
San Miguel, Taos & Union

Richard C. Martinez
Member
D
986-4389
richardc.martinez at nmlegis.gov
Dist. 5: Los Alamos, Rio Arriba & Santa Fe

William H. Payne
Member
R
986-4276
william.payne at nmlegis.gov
Dist. 20, Bernalillo

John Pinto
Member
D
986-4835
None
Dist. 3: McKinley & San Juan

John C. Ryan
Member
R
986-4373
johnchrisryan at yahoo.com
Dist. 10: Bernalillo & Sandoval

NOTE: If your legislator is not one of the committee members call the 
Chair and Vice-chair person on the committee. Refer to the Senate 
Conservation member list for contact information. Tell them you want 
them to support SB 188.  We recommend that you call and e-mail your 
State Senator on the committee and call the Chairman and Vice-Chair.  
 
Background
 
New Mexico is one of the few western states that does not have a 
comprehensive, state-funded land and wildlife conservation program.   
At present, state agencies and conservation organizations must approach 
the legislature every year for piecemeal, incremental funding for 
specific projects.  To help remedy this situation, conservation 
organizations have joined together as an ad hoc coalition to help 
create New Mexico’s first dedicated funding for conservation, wildlife, 
renewable clean energy.
 
In 2004, the coalition was successful in passing House Joint Memorial 
37, which directed the Department of Game & Fish and the Energy, 
Minerals, and Natural Resources Department to “conduct a study to 
investigate sustainable alternative funding measures to protect New 
Mexico’s unique landscapes, open spaces,  recreation areas and wildlife 
habitats”.  The results of the study can be found on the NM Game & Fish 
Dept. web site at:
www.wildlife.state.nm.us/conservation
 
In 2005, the state legislature appropriated $5 million to begin a pilot 
land and  wildlife conservation program.  To date 29 applications 
totaling over $14 million have been received. Of the 29 applications, 
14 projects are currently being considered to be funded.
 
In the 2006 legislative session the coalition has introduced house bill 
(HB 188 & SB 407 - The Land, Wildlife and Clean Energy Conservation 
Act). These identical bills will provide permanent yearly funding for 
the several types of conservation programs ( Refer to SB – attached) 
  The source of the funding will be the existing Oil and Gas 
Conservation Tax, which is a  .19% tax on oil and gas revenues produced 
in the state.  In the 2006 fiscal year it is slated to bring in 
approximately $19 million to the state coffers.  At present, 
approximately 10% of the tax goes into the Oil and Gas Reclamation Fund 
(OGRF), with the balance to the general fund.  This bill will direct 
approximately $10 million per year into wildlife and renewable energy 
programs. For detailed outline on SB 407 please review the attached 
fact sheets and actual bill language.
 
Action is Needed to Protect the Future of New Mexico’s Outdoor Heritage
 
	• 	These bills will help New Mexico capture the nearly $20 million in 
federal  matching funds for conservation that are lost each year due to 
a lack of state matching funds. The House Joint Memorial 34 study 
written by NM Game & Fish Dept., states that New Mexico can only fund 
about 25% of its conservation projects needs.  
 
·        These bills support the future of hunting, fishing, and rural 
communities in New Mexico. Funding will be allocated on a balanced and 
competitive basis among wildlife habitat improvement and trails, 
conservation easements to support working farms and ranches, clean 
energy grants and support for hunting and fishing  access and other 
opportunities
 
·        Loss of Access to Hunting and Fishing Areas is the #1 Concern 
of New Mexico sportsmen. A recent poll of licensed hunters and anglers 
revealed that the loss of hunting and fishing grounds is the 
sportsman’s top concern in New Mexico (NMWF poll, August 2004). HB 188 
will help reverse the trend of dwindling access by making funding 
available for the purchase of some key hunting and fishing grounds or 
for the purchase of access across private land  to landlocked public 
lands.
 
·        Many landowners want to keep the family farm or ranch in 
operation, but are forced by economic circumstances to sell their land 
to development. Every year 40,000 acres of private lands and wildlife 
habitat are converted to development in New Mexico—ten percent of which 
is prime agricultural ground. No landowner should be forced—by a lack 
of economic options—to sell the family farm or ranch and see it carved 
up into subdivisions. HB 188 strongly supports conservation easements 
(also defined as the purchase of development rights), which provides a 
way forward for landowners who want to keep their lands in production.
 
Wildlife and Outdoor Sports Are Vital to New Mexico’s Rural Economy
 
·        Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife-Watching Generate $1  Billion 
Each Year in Direct Economy for New Mexico, and another $1 Billion is 
spent each year in New Mexico on camping, hiking and other outdoor 
sports. Much of this $2 Billion outdoor economy is essential to rural 
communities. Investing in this economic asset simply makes sense. The 
New Mexico Land, Wildlife and Clean Energy Act will make funds 
available to protect working lands, preserve access to key hunting and 
fishing areas, and will provide money for wildlife habitat improvements 
and trails through competitive bidding.
·        Each year New Mexico loses approximately $20 million in 
federal matching funds for conservation projects. By supporting the New 
Mexico Land, Water and Clean Energy Act we are supporting the  ability 
to capture these lost federal funds which will benefit New Mexico’s 
farms, ranches, wildlife, hunters, anglers and everyone who loves the 
great outdoors.
 
For more information contact:

Oscar Simpson at 505-259-5766 cell or 505-345-0117
Jeremy Vesbach at 505-264-5500 cell or 505-299-5404
 

Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal?  Would you like 
to support our efforts?  Join or contribute today at: 
http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html