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to Wild Friends HomepageHOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 50
46TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 2000
INTRODUCED BY
Rep. Raymond Sanchez, Speaker of the House
A JOINT MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE INTERIM
COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL FOR NEW MEXICO TO JOIN WITH OTHER STATES IN THE
WILDLIFE VIOLATOR COMPACT.
WHEREAS; wildlife resources are valuable without regard to political boundaries, therefore, every person should be required to comply with wildlife laws; and
WHEREAS, the protection of the states' wildlife resources is materially affected by the degree of compliance with state statutes, laws, regulations and rules relating to the management of such natural resources; and
WHEREAS, violation of wildlife laws interferes with the management of wildlife resources and may endanger the safety of persons and property; and
WHEREAS, crossing state lines offers refuge for wildlife violators wishing to continue their illegal desecration of wildlife and it is important for New Mexico to cooperate with other states in order to deter illegal poachers, especially commercial poachers;
WHEREAS, the Wildlife Violator Compact is an agreement that so far has been signed by ten states, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming, to help one another to identify and deter poachers, and the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is encouraging all 50 states to join this compact; and
WHEREAS, the Wildlife Violator Compact helps eliminate the illegal sale and possession of animal parts used in the black market; and
WHEREAS, by joining the Wildlife Violator Compact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish would have access to information from participating states about previous wildlife violations by persons who are applying for hunting and fishing licenses in New Mexico; and
WHEREAS ; by joining the Wildlife Violator Compact New Mexico would be able to recognize the suspension of hunting and fishing license privileges of persons whose licenses have been suspended by another participating state; and
WHEREAS, the mobility of many wildlife law violators necessitates the maintenance of channels of communication among the various states, and Wildlife Violator Compact member states can revoke licenses of individuals thereby deterring them from crossing state lines to carry out poaching activities; and
WHEREAS, joining the Wildlife Violator Compact would deter poaching activities on game species as well as threatened and endangered species in New Mexico;
WHEREAS, people are making too much money, up to $1,000,000 per year, from the illegal taking of wildlife and poachers give hunters a bad name; and
WHEREAS, poaching of wildlife is unethical; and
WHEREAS, some correlation may exist between poaching of wildlife and drug trafficking, and the Wildlife Violator Compact helps combat poaching; and
WHEREAS, wildlife resources are managed in trust by the respective states for the benefit of all residents and visitors and joining the Wildlife Violator Compact would benefit all New Mexico residents and visitors because violation of wildlife laws interferes with the management of wildlife which contributes immeasurably to the aesthetic, recreational and economic aspects of our state; and
WHEREAS, for the sake of our children and future generations wildlife should be protected from poaching, especially commercial poaching;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO THAT the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the appropriate interim committee of the legislature to study the potential for New Mexico to join with other states in the Wildlife Violator Compact; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Wild Friends students participating in the writing of this memorial have an opportunity to participate in the legislative committee hearing by offering their testimonials; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to members of the New Mexico legislative council.