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New Mexico Habitat Stamp Program. Helping Wildlife Where it Counts . . . Where Wildlife Lives. Orientation to Citizen Advisors 1-11. What is the Habitat Stamp Program?. A management process authorized under the federal Sikes Act A funding mechanism for on-ground habitat work
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New Mexico Habitat Stamp Program Helping Wildlife Where it Counts . . .Where Wildlife Lives Orientation to Citizen Advisors 1-11
What is the Habitat Stamp Program? • A management process authorized under the federal Sikes Act • A funding mechanism for on-ground habitat work • A mechanism for inter-agency interaction/collaboration • An agency/citizen partnership
HSP History • Began with Valle Vidal in 1986. • Progressive implementation onto other areas until statewide in 1991. • Has provided $16.3 million to habitat work with an additional $15.8 million matched by federal agencies and $2.1 million by sporting groups.
HSP’s Mission Who-- HSP cooperators are What-- to provide ecologically diverse wildlife and fish habitats Where-- on USFS and BLM managed lands, How-- by involving the public in an effective, cost efficient, honest, and cooperative management process Why-- for enjoyment and useby the current and future generations of New Mexicans.
Guiding Documents • Sikes Act • HSP’s G&F Regulation • Agency Memorandum of Understanding • Strategic Plan • Landscape Plans (being developed) • Procedure Manual
The Sikes Act (Public Law 93-452, 16USC670g-k) • Allows for a fee to be collected • Mandatory for hunters, anglers, & trappers • Generates approximately $850,000/yr • Limits expenditures to conservation & rehabilitation projects: protection propagation research/census live-trapping & transplantation law enforcement regulated taking habitat management access to public land (limited)
What has the HSP Accomplished? Since 1986: Vegetation 683,000 ac. Riparian 11,000 ac. Waters 738 Surveys 705 Fisheries 83 Transplants 17
Annual HSP Calendar Year around Seek public participation Sept 1-Jan 31 Agencies design projects Jan 31 Project proposals due Jan - Mar Inter-agency meetings Apr - May Citizen Advisors’ meetings Jun 1 Agency reports due Jun SGC approval of projects/budget Jul-Sep Funds allocated Jul 1 Project-work begins
Role of Citizen Advisor • Extension of the State Game Commission (provide values) • Provide citizen oversight • Think long-term and statewide • Articulate habitat desires • Remove impediments • Provide representation, but promote cooperation • Encourage performance
Tri-Agency HSP Review Identified issues/problems • Maintenance • Enclosure Vandalism • Asset Inventory • Varying Agency Values • Citizen Participation • Formula Constraints • Billings
Program Extension July 2010 the State Game Commission extended the HSP for another decade (to 2021) • Thank-you for your support • Provided a 3-part future emphasis
Emphasis for Future3. Citizen Involvement in a Landscape Approach
What is a “Landscape” For planning purposes a “landscape” can be any clearly defined geographic area. • a pair of watersheds, • a wildlife population’s home range, • a key habitat type, or • even a body of water or stretch of stream • Etc.
What is a “Landscape Plan” • Defined geographic area as mentioned previously • Spatially displays past habitat improvements • Spatially displays future habitat proposals in next 5 years • Ties project proposals back to agency plans for goals and objectives
Why “Landscapes” • Show public “whole story” • Do larger, more impactful projects • Complications arise and dense funds are needed to do aquatic landscapes • Some Fed units not ready for work • Attract more partners/funds • Incorporate limited G&F personnel in planning
Impediments to Spending $s • Disasters (e.g. fire danger, lawsuits) • Increased regulations (e.g. NEPA compliance, archeological clearances, endangered spp. considerations) • Higher priorities (e.g. reduce fire danger, oil & gas permitting, grazing permitting, endangered spp., etc.) • Differing state & federal funding timelines
How to overcome impediments? • Fewer, but larger-scale projects • Improved planning • Address maintenance issues • Increased public oversight
Delaware River Loss of purpose Slippage in agencies’ priority Loss of public/sportsmen support Reduction in license sales Use of funds other than for accepted purposes Failure to show results Threats to HSP
What does the HSP need from you, the concerned citizen? • Support and • Engagement atparticipatory & activist levels.