New Mexico’s new State Land Commissioner, Stephanie Garcia Richard, recently revived the Sportspeople’s Advisory Committee, originally established to help guide the Commissioner's decisions on hunting, camping and other public uses of some 9 million acres of state trust land.
The committee, which had been dissolved by the previous land commissioner, met in Santa Fe this May and will continue to meet throughout the year. The commissioner and several members of her staff spent two hours with the group and specifically asked for hunters' opinions on some key issues -- camping, access and the annual lease fee the State Land Office charges the Department of Game and Fish. This was an introductory meeting, so no decisions were made, but it shows the Commissioner is interested in hunters' concerns.
The committee is led by Steve Henry of Las Cruces and comprises a diverse stakeholder group including representatives from Mule Deer Foundation, Trout Unlimited, NM Wildlife Federation and NM Council of Outfitters and Guides, as well as individuals from Farmington, Las Vegas, Roswell, Silver City, Las Cruces and Albuquerque. BHA is well represented on the committee with both NM BHA Chairman Joel Gay and BHA Southwest Chapter Coordinator Katie DeLorenzo holding seats.
We commend the Commissioner for taking a proactive approach to working with the hunting community and look forward to collaborating with her office in the future to the benefit of sportsmen and women, our outdoor economy and education.
NM BHA Chairman, Joel Gay
BHA Southwest Chapter Coordinator, Katie DeLorenzo
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