NM land commissioner says his office could manage federal lands

State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn says his office would have no problem managing federal lands if they were transferred to the state. And he says the public would have more access to them if that happened. Dunn made the comments today at a budget hearing before the House Appropriations and Finance Committee — a day after sportsmen and others rallied at the Capitol opposing any such land transfers. The idea of shifting federal public lands to state control has been around for several years, and opponents expect it to surface again in this year’s legislative session. Asked about it at the hearing, Dunn said the State Land Office could easily take on managing the current federal lands. “I personally think there would be more public access should the state be in control, versus the federal government,” Dunn also told lawmakers...more