Contact: Erika Martinez
(505)986-4263
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2014
Senate Conservation Committee Votes to Pass Beaver Management Plan Memorial
Santa Fe, NM – Senate Memorial 4 (SM 4) passed the Senate Conservation Committee on Saturday.
Bill sponsors Senator Tim Keller (D-17-Bernalillo) and Representative Bobby Gonzales (D-42-Taos) initiated the memorial to develop a beaver-management plan for New Mexico that balances the concerns of property owners who find the animals a nuisance and to support populations where beavers are needed.
According to SM4, dams, ponds and associated wetlands created by the North American beaver are known to increase groundwater percolation, which raises local groundwater tables and storage. Beaver dams and ponds and their associated wetlands can decrease erosion, in-stream silt loading and other harmful effects associated with heavy rainfalls and sudden snowmelts. Beaver ponds and their associated wetlands act as contaminant sinks and filters, enhancing downstream water quality. These benefits are especially helpful during extended periods of drought, which New Mexico has endured for the past several years. The bill also states that habitats greatly enhance the resiliency of riparian zones, including riverine plant communities and fish and wildlife populations.
“Seeing this bill go forward to the Senate Floor is important, especially considering New Mexico’s unique circumstances when it comes to the terrible drought we are suffering,” said Sen. Keller.
###