Roosevelt opposes refuge land expansion

The Roosevelt County Commission on Tuesday passed a resolution that opposes a proposal from the Land Protection Plan that could ultimately impact many private landowners in the county.

The proposal from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would acquire 7 million acres for the LPP, with the help of the Nature Conservancy. It would include the Muleshoe and Grulla National Wildlife Refuges in west Texas and eastern New Mexico called the “Conservation Partnership Area.”

The mission would be to protect various wildlife habitat.

The Grulla refuge is east of Arch in Roosevelt County.

For now, the Wildlife Service is trying to get 700,000 acres in “fee-title or conservation easements in perpetuity,” according to the resolution. Meaning, those acreages would stay as a refuge for the Wildlife Service forever.

“It will keep them (landowners) from any development, like urban development,” Roosevelt County Commissioner Roy Lee Criswell told The News. “It will take away their right to do what they want.”

Criswell gave an example that landowners wouldn’t be able to build a house on the property if they wanted to in the future, and it doesn’t matter how far into the future.

In an emailed response, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stated the proposal is “completely voluntary” on the part of landowners.

“We’ve heard some concerns … We want to assure everyone that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prioritizes collaboration with local landowners and communities,” the statement read in part.

It’s important to clarify a few key points: 

n Voluntary Participation: … Landowners within the designated area can choose to sell their property or participate in a conservation easement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service but are under no obligation. 

n Fair Compensation: Landowners who choose to participate will be offered fair market value for their property. 

n Long-Term Vision: Conservation of 700,000-acres is a long-term goal. Filling this will take decades, providing willing landowners with options for their property well into the future. 

n Providing Another Option: This plan offers interested landowners a new option to manage their land. 

Commissioners said in the resolution that the county depends on private land, and the way landowners use it, including crop production, electrical production and plants, oil and gas exploration, livestock grazing, recreational development, hunting, etc.

Because the Nature Conservancy is a 501c3, conservation easements acquired in perpetuity reduce the tax value of the land by an average of 40%, according to the resolution.

“The county will hurt from that.” Criswell said.

Criswell has been leading the charge, saying he wants landowners to be aware of what’s happening and that they should be able to think for themselves on what they wish to do.

“Us county commissioners are not trying to tell private landowners what to do. That is their decision. That is their right,” Criswell said.

The resolution was approved unanimously by commissioners, and Criswell said it will be sent to the Wildlife Service.

Questions can be addressed to Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge Manager Jude Smith directly for more information: 806-674-6369, [email protected] .