Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Earlier this month, the New Mexico 30 by 30 Committee, an advisory group that is working on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 2021 executive order to conserve New Mexico lands, announced a request for public feedback on definitions of conserved lands.
The goal is to conserve 30 percent of all lands in New Mexico by 2030, with an additional 20 percent of lands designated as climate stabilization areas, as stated on the http://www.emnrd.nm.gov website.
“These definitions are important because they will help with baseline assessments of conservation activity in New Mexico and progress toward 30 by 30 goals as well as answer other key questions, such as how well existing conservation programs are working for communities across the state, and how they can be improved moving forward,” said Julie Valdez, spokeswoman for the Office of the State Engineer, in an email to Roosevelt County Manager Amber Hamilton. This information was shared with the commissioners at its recent meeting.
Sidney Hill, spokesman for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department in New Mexico, said in an email on Tuesday: “The 30 by 30 Advisory Committee (“Committee”) is comprised of seven state agencies and the State Land Office. Under Executive Order 2021-052, agencies are directed to individually review and utilize existing programs, funding, and authorities to reach the ambitious conservation targets of conserving at least 30 percent of all lands in New Mexico by 2030, with an additional 20 percent of lands designated as climate stabilization areas. Developing clear definitions for these terms, inclusive of the values outlined in the Order, will be an essential part of the Committee’s early work and outreach efforts. Doing so will both influence which lands count toward conservation targets and guide the implementation and coordination of programs contributing toward those targets.”
“The RFI is available here: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/d9f0a5c604fe497caf4cdda36f084440,” Hill said. “The Committee’s work is proceeding pursuant to EO 2021-052 (Governor’s order to protect lands) and will be reporting formally to the Governor’s Office prior to the next legislative session.”
Asked by The News, “How much land currently is conserved in New Mexico,” he said: “The current request for public input is seeking feedback on what ‘conserved’ means under the 30x30 framework, which will inform this calculation.”
