NM Legislation Watch

Info of interest to all
Sent: 4/19/2007 9:47:07 AM 
Subject: NM Legislation Watch


The following is a piece of legislation that I heard about and asked to be forwarded.  This item HB 753 has at this time been tabled due to sportsman responses.  Vigilance is still needed

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http://www.nmwildlife.org/

Above is a good link  to keep tabs on Legislative maneuvers concerning New Mexico Sportsman.

Below is a copy of what spurred this:


Dear Sportsman,
State Representative Debbie Rodella is pushing legislation in Santa Fe that will take away three of New Mexico's best publicly-owned wildlife habitats, in addition to a fish hatchery. The Edward Sargent Wildlife Management Area, Rio Chama Wildlife Management Area, William A. Humphries Wildlife Management Area, and the Los Ojos Fish Hatchery are owned by all New Mexicans, and are managed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 
Rep. Rodella's legislation, House Bill 753, would confiscate these top-quality wildlife areas and hand them to a nearby land grant, the Tierra Amarilla Land Grant-Merced. 
What's worse, because these wildlife areas were purchased using federal funds, the bill, if passed would also cause the immediate loss of $11 million per year in federal funding to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (1/3 of the Department's total budget). This would cripple the Department of Game and Fish's ability to protect our wildlife resources in New Mexico. 
Please call today and OPPOSE House Bill 753!

You can contact the following members of the Consumer & Public Affairs committee:
Gail Chasey (D), Chair
Albuquerque; Bernalillo County 
505-986-4484 
[email protected]

Irvin Harrison (D), Vice Chair
Gallup; McKinley & San Juan Counties
986-4248
[email protected] 

Thomas A. Anderson (R)
Albuquerque; Bernalillo County
986-4452
[email protected]

Nora Espinoza (R)
Roswell; Chaves, Lincoln, & Otero Counties 
986-4221
[email protected]

Antonio "Moe" Maestas (D)
Albuquerque; Bernalillo County
986-4464
[email protected]

Al Park (D)
Albuquerque; Bernalillo County
986-4411
[email protected]

W.C. "Dub" Williams (R)
Glencoe; Lincoln & Otero Counties
986-4454
Talking points:
· The Sargent, Humphries, and Rio Chama Wildlife Areas are currently owned by all New Mexico residents and open to responsible public access by everyone, including owners of the Tierra Amarilla Land Grant. Confiscating these properties would result in a loss of opportunity for thousands of average New Mexico residents and families to hunt and hike, and would also result in lost opportunities for many New Mexico youth to spend time outdoors. 
· These three wildlife areas were purchased using federal funds. Taking away these publicly owned and publicly accessible wildlife areas would place the Department of Game and Fish in default with the federal government, causing the immediate loss of $11 million per year in federal funding (1/3 of the Department's total budget). This would cripple the NM Department of Game and Fish's ability to protect our state's wildlife, to manage hunting and fishing seasons, etc. 
Thank You!

Your call will make a difference!