Land Exchange with Facts not Misinformation
As the State Representative in District 52 where the proposed Mescalero Apache and State Land Office land exchange is being proposed, I have been receiving many phone calls, emails and text messages from my constituents who are very concerned about the plan. I have read several news stories about the proposed exchange and heard various accounts of what the exchange will entail. I was concerned that misinformation was being spread and decided to do some fact finding of my own on behalf of my constituents. Below is what I have discovered so far.
While I was in Santa Fe last week at the special session, I reached out to State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard to express my opposition to the proposed exchange. I asked if I could meet with her to get good information to educate myself and share with my constituents. She agreed and we met in her office on Friday October 3rd. Here is what I learned:
The process is in its beginning “draft phase.” The process could take a minimum of six months. The usual time frame for tribal exchanges has been a year and a half—and that’s when there is no controversy. I believe there will be plenty of controversy with this exchange.
The section of land (640 acres) being considered is off Sonoma Ranch Blvd. and Camino Escondida. It beings where Telbrook Rd. ends.
According to preliminary observations, the top half of the section or 330 acres should be considered for development and within those 330 acres, only a portion looks to be suitable for development.
There are no utilities at the site.
If the exchange goes through, the Mescalero Tribe would own the land “In fee simple”—that form of ownership is like any other private party who owns land. It would not be “tribal” land or “trust” land. That is a federal designation that takes years to receive. The Tribe would need “trust” land designation to begin the process of “off reservation” gaming, for example, which takes many more years and only after Federal and State permission.
If the Mescalero Tribe owns the land “In fee simple”, it would still be subject to all county ordinances and zoning.
A meeting with the local HOA will be held in late October in Las Cruces and then a larger public meeting for all will be held shortly after that in Las Cruces. The public meeting will allow for virtual participation also. There will be plenty of notice of the public meeting and my office will be communicating with my constituents and other stakeholders by social media and newspaper advertising.
I have requested a meeting with the Mescalero Tribe to get their perspective and encourage them to participate in all public meetings.
Decisions must be rooted in correct information. We need to educate ourselves and have the facts when we speak in public forums. My goal is to make sure my constituents, the Land Office, the Mescalero Tribe, Dona Ana County, NMSU, interested individuals —ALL parties—are at the table.