Acequias & Land Grants
Acequias are community ditches or irrigation canals that are essential to northern New Mexican agricultural tradition and culture. Any proposed legislation that has the potential to positively or negatively impact acequia function or culture — usually pertaining to land use or water law – will be included in this issue category.
Land grants were formally recognized as political subdivisions of the state in 2004. Any proposed legislation believed to positively or negatively impact efforts to preserve communal land grants and their natural resources will be included in this category.
Land Use & Growth
This is another broad category that will include a large number of topics that fall under multiple issue areas. Any policy or legislation proposing changes to real estate and development law, planning and zoning powers, annexation authority, building construction, etc., will fall under this category.
Transportation
All aspects of transportation policy, including road construction, public transportation, regulation of vehicle traffic, transportation fuels and more will be included under this category.
Mining
Mining has serious impacts on our air, land and water in New Mexico. Our state has been home to mines since the late 1800’s and this is an issue we deal with to this day. For example, the Roca Honda Uranium Mine has been proposed near sacred Mount Taylor, northeast of Grants. This would be the first operational uranium mine in New Mexico in decades.
Albuquerque from the air
Rows of houses line up on the east side of Albuquerque. The city has taken significant steps to control urban sprawl and limit the forming of geopolitical boundaries that many large cities suffer from. Photo: Brian Leddy
Related Votes for Land
Topics:
Air Quality
Effective
Government
Energy &
Climate Change
Environmental
Justice
Land
Water
Wildlife & Habitat
Conservation
| Priority | Bill # | Title | Sponsors | Topics | CVNM Position |
Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HM 29 | Energy Operating Bonding Amounts more |
Matthew McQueen |
|
Support | 2020 | |
| SB 33 | Study Funding for Nongame Species Conservation more |
William P. Soules |
|
Support | 2020 | |
| SB 180 | Fees for Used Oil Businesses more |
Elizabeth Stefanics |
|
Support | 2020 |
Know the Score > Take Action
Strategies for Land Use
Actions that protect land use:
Thank you!
New Mexico was one of the national leaders in driving the clean energy economy by adopting renewable energy standards — requiring utilities to generate a percentage of their electricity from renewable sources, like solar and wind. The standards were set at 10% by 2011, 15% by 2015, and 20% by 2020. As a result, our state’s clean energy industry has boomed, providing growing numbers of green jobs that pay well.
However, many other states have caught up with or exceeded our requirements, which is beginning to affect the health of our clean technology sector.
Actions that hurt land use:
No thank you!
In November 2011, Gov. Martinez’s Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) — a board whose members are significantly aligned with polluting industries — began hearings to dismantle rules that would reduce New Mexico’s carbon pollution. Adopted after dozens of hours of public comment, expert testimony, and cross-examination, these rules aimed to create new clean energy jobs and combat climate change. In December 2011, the board voted to overturn the state’s participation in a regional cap-and-trade program; and in March 2012, it proceeded to also overturn the state’s carbon cap rule.
Source:
New Mexico Green Jobs Report: 2011, NM Dept. of Workforce Solutions
Communicate with the Governor and your Legislators
Whether you’re congratulating them on their score or expressing your disappointment, be direct, courteous and polite.
The most important part is letting them know that you are paying close attention to how they vote or, in the case of the Governor, what actions she takes on legislation that affects our air, land, and water.
Calling your legislator directly and sending letters through regular mail remain by far the most effective ways to communicate with your legislators.
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor can always be contacted at the State Capitol. Except during the legislative session, state legislators should be contacted in their home districts, as listed on the current Legislators page.
To find your House District number and Representative, visit our map here.
To find your Senate District number and Senator, visit our map here.
We take on tough fights to protect New Mexico, but these efforts in the State Capitol and around the state require financial resources. We can only win when we work together. Please join other New Mexicans in becoming a Conservation Voter today!
Join Conservation Voters New Mexico today
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