New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Media contact: Karl Moffatt, (505) 476-8007
Public contact: (888) 248-6866
karl.moffatt@state.nm.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 10, 2015:
CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO MEET TO RECOMMEND HABITAT STAMP PROJECTS
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has scheduled statewide Habitat Stamp Citizens Advisory Committee meetings for 2015. Citizen advisors will prioritize Habitat Stamp-funded projects for 2016 and 2017. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend meetings:
Northwest: 9 a.m. April 16, Carson National Forest office, 1110 Rio Vista Lane, Bloomfield.
Southeast: 10 a.m. April 18, Lincoln National Forest office, 4 Lost Lodge Road, Cloudcroft.
Central: 9 a.m. May 13, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish office, 3841 Midway Place NE, Albuquerque.
Northeast: 10 a.m. May 15, New Mexico Highlands University, National Avenue and 8th Street, Student Senate Chambers, Student Union Building, Room 320, Las Vegas.
Southwest: 10 a.m. May 16, Gila National Forest office, 3005 E. Camino Del Bosque, Silver City.
The Habitat Stamp Program has an annual budget of $742,300 with the support of hunters, anglers and trappers who purchase a $5 stamp each year to participate in their sports on Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Forest Service lands.
In the 29-year life of the program, 2,272 wildlife habitat projects have been funded at more than $44 million. Through this effort, the program has contributed $19.2 million and federal agencies have reported contributing an additional $21.8 million in matching funds in the form of cash, costs of planning, fiscal tracking, National Environmental Policy Act compliance, and obtaining archeological/cultural clearances.
Overall, the program has improved approximately 829,632 acres of terrestrial habitat; enhanced approximately 11,141 acres of riparian habitat; built 773 places for wildlife to obtain water; completed 711 wildlife population and habitat surveys; completed 17 wildlife transplants; improved 87 aquatic habitat/fishing areas; maintained previously built structures; installed 805 erosion control structures for watershed improvement; and improved overall public enjoyment of wildlife.
Since its inception, citizens have been involved in every aspect of the program, advising which habitats are most in need of improvement. Appointed by the State Game Commission, citizens representing sporting, conservation and public-land permittee interests meet each spring to prioritize local habitat projects.
For more information about the Habitat Stamp Program, please contact Reuben Teran, (505) 476-8130, ReubenS.Teran@state.nm.us or visit the department website page Habitat Stamp.