As lawmakers across the West question the federal government's ability to manage public lands under its care, New Mexico has taken the first step toward a study of the feasibility of the state assuming control of millions of acres. Legislation that would establish a commission to study the issue cleared a New Mexico House panel Wednesday on a 9-1 vote, with only one of five Democrats on the committee voting in opposition. The vote marks the first time in three years that any federal land transfer measure has made it passed its first legislative hurdle in New Mexico. The dynamics have changed since Republicans assumed control of the House, and disputes over property and water rights on federal forest land in rural areas have helped drive the debate over the past year. Most of the lawmakers on the committee that took up the legislation Wednesday are from rural areas. "I do want answers. I want to know, where do we go from here, because folks we can't allow the status quo to go on," said committee chair Rep. Candy Spence Ezzell, R-Roswell. She spoke about the threat of wildfires and the declining health of the drought-stricken state's watersheds. While no legislation calling for a transfer has been introduced, sportsmen and environmentalists recently rallied outside the capitol in opposition of the idea. They pointed to polls that show people in New Mexico and other western states oppose assuming full control of federal lands and absorbing the associated costs. Ranching organizations, local government groups and some state land managers voiced support for the bill, saying it would not change anything, only clear the way for New Mexico to study the matter...more
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