Governor Lujan Grisham’s Signing of Landmark Conservation and Wildlife Protection Bills is Celebrated by New Mexico Wild
Contacts:
Mark Allison, mark@nmwild.org, 505-239-0906
Santa Fe, New Mexico (March 23, 2023) – Today, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham was joined by New Mexico Wild’s Executive Director Mark Allison and leaders from across the state representing conservation, tribal, traditional use, and wildlife communities. The group celebrated the signing of Senate Bill 9, The Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, and Senate Bill 72, The Creation of the Wildlife Corridors Fund.
Executive Director Mark Allison released the following statement on the signing of SB 9 and SB 72 into law:
“The signing into law of the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund and the Creation of Wildlife Corridors Fund is a huge step in the right direction in protecting and preserving New Mexico’s treasured land and wildlife. Though there is still a lot of work to do, the legislature and the governor’s prioritizing our land and water stewardship, forest and watershed health, outdoor recreation and infrastructure, agriculture and working lands, historic preservation, and wildlife species protection is commendable and appreciated.”
Senate Bill 9 was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth and Senator Steven P. Neville. Senate Bill 72 was introduced by President Pro Temp Mimi Stewart. Both bills passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both the New Mexico Senate and House.
Senate Bill 9 establishes New Mexico’s first dedicated funding stream for land and water conservation initiatives and will allow the state to provide matching funds required to obtain federal grants. The budget passed by the legislature in 2023 appropriates $100 million to the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund, which will generate future income for an array of existing state programs that protect communities from wildfire, flood, and drought, safeguard water supplies, support rural agriculture, grow our outdoor economy, preserve our cultural heritage, and protect imperiled wildlife.
Senate Bill 72 creates a non-reverting fund in the state treasury to construct safe road crossings for wildlife and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, including projects contained in the state’s wildlife corridors action plan. The budget passed by the legislature in 2023 appropriates $5 million to the Department of Transportation for the design and construction of wildlife corridors.
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