Public Meetings
Notice of termination of public hearing
The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, State Parks Division is providing notice to vacate the public rule hearing noticed in Issue 4 of the New Mexico Register published February 27, 2024, scheduled for Monday, April 1, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., in accordance with Subsection C of Section 14-4-5 NMSA 1978. The proposed repeal and replace for 18.17.2 Boating Operation and Safety and 19.5.1 General Provisions and the amendment for 19.5.2 Park Visitor Provisions and 19.5.6 Park Fees will be heard at a hearing to be rescheduled at a later date.
New Mexico State Parks Fees Study Informational Meeting Schedule & Details
The New Mexico State Parks Division (State Parks) of the Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) has completed a Fees Study to determine the appropriate fee levels for admission and use of facilities and amenities related to 35 state parks in 25 of 33 counties.
State Parks rely heavily on self-generated revenue through entrance and camping fees, concessions, and other related revenue streams to accomplish its mission of enhancing natural and cultural resources, providing first-class recreational and education facilities and opportunities, and promoting public safety to benefit and enrich the lives of more than five million visitors each year.
State Parks fees are set by rule and have not kept pace with inflation. The principal objective of the Fees Study was to explore options to adjust fees and propose adjustments that will improve the agency’s financial position while still providing affordable state park access for New Mexico citizens and visitors to our state.
Key elements in the Fees Study:
- Elimination of day-use fees for New Mexico residents;
- Implementation of a non-resident day-use fee;
- Eliminating Annual Passes;
- Adjusting camping and utility fees;
- Adjusting boat registration and launching fees; and
- Adjusting entrance fees at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park and Smokey Bear Historical Park.
Copies of the Fees Study and Executive Summary are available in PDF format for viewing or downloading at the links below.
New Mexico State Parks Fees Study Executive Summary
New Mexico State Parks Fees Study Presentation
New Mexico State Parks Fees Study
New Mexico State Parks Division Fees Study & Recommendations – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The public comment period for the New Mexico State Parks Fees Study rule changes is closed until further notice.
INFORMATIONAL MEETING DATES |
TIME | LOCATION |
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park 5000 Calle del Norte Mesilla, NM 88046 Doña Ana County |
Thursday, February 22, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Elephant Butte Lake State Park Boating Education Center 101 Hwy 195 Elephant Butte, NM 87935 Sierra County |
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park 1504 Skyline Dr. Carlsbad, NM 88220 Eddy County |
Friday, March 1, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Watch this Virtual WebEx Meeting on YouTube |
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Mesalands Community College Wind Energy Center – Building E 911 South Tenth Street Tucumcari, NM 88401 Quay County |
Thursday, March 7, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | NM Department of Public Safety/State Police 520 S Commerce St. Las Vegas, NM 87701 San Miguel County |
Monday, March 11, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Navajo Lake State Park Visitor Center 36 Road 4110 #1 Navajo Dam, NM 87419 San Juan County |
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Rio Grande Nature Center State Park Education Building 2901 Candelaria Rd., NW Albuquerque, NM 87107 Bernalillo County |
Can’t make it to one of our statewide informational meetings?
Click this link to see the March 1 Virtual WebEx Meeting on YouTube.
The video is also posted on this page below.
Questions?
Contact:
Jared Langenegger
NM State Parks Division
Field Operations Bureau Chief
Cell: 575-420-1733
JaredR.Langenegger@emnrd.nm.gov
If you are an individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the meeting or hearing, please get in touch with Miche Garcia at Miche.Garcia@emnrd.nm.gov, at least one week before the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the New Mexico voice relay at 1-800-659-1779 or TTD at 1-800-659-8331. If a summary or other accessible format is needed, public documents can be provided in various formats.
Proposed Rulemakings
Fees Study Proposed Rulemaking Public Comments Accepted Until 4:30 PM MT, March 29, 2024. Click here for email and mailing address.
Email:
EMNRD-ParksComments@emnrd.nm.gov
US Mail:
New Mexico State Parks
C/O Fees Study Public Comment
1220 S St. Francis Dr., Ste. 215
Santa Fe, NM 87505
State Parks Advisory Board Meetings
April 2024
The New Mexico State Parks Advisory Board will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The meeting will be held at 1312 Basehart Rd, SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106. This meeting will also be available for participation by using the video conference and teleconferencing application Webex. You may join the meeting in-person, on-line, or by telephone starting at 11:00 AM.
The purpose of the meeting of the New Mexico State Parks Advisory Board is to elect officers, approve the annual Open Meetings Act Resolution, discuss the 2024 legislative session impacts, discuss state park fees and adjustments, discuss the agency’s fiscal year 2025 budget, provide an update on the status of the Land and Water Conservation Fund program, present the agency’s personnel vacancy status, discuss board member per diem and travel, discuss board member recruitment, and provide for board committee reports.
March 2024
NOTICE: The State Parks Advisory Board meeting scheduled to be held at Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, starting at 11AM has been cancelled due to lack of quorum.
December 2023
The purpose of the meeting of the New Mexico State Parks Advisory Board is to present and discuss state park fees and adjustments, discuss division plans for the upcoming 2024 legislative session, discuss state parks advisory board member recruitment, and provide for board committee reports.
September 2023
The purpose of the meeting of the New Mexico State Parks Advisory Board is to introduce new and standing board members, provide an agency overview to board members, discuss an update on the fees study, discuss state parks advisory board member recruitment and board committee reports.
Public/Legal Notice
Agenda
Meeting Minutes September 2023
June 2023
The purpose of the meeting of the New Mexico State Parks Advisory Board is to introduce new and standing board members, provide an agency overview to board members, discuss state park personnel position vacancy status, discuss the fiscal year 2025 budget request, discuss an update on the fees study, discuss state parks advisory board member recruitment and board committee reports.
March 2023
The purpose of the meeting of the New Mexico State Parks Advisory Board meeting is to discuss the following: election of officers, 2023 legislative update, personnel vacancies, capitol project updates, climate change, outdoor classrooms, law enforcement, public/private partnerships, and additional committee business.
Legal Notice
Agenda
Open Meetings Act Resolution
Meeting Minutes March, 2023
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the State Parks Advisory Board Meeting, please contact Toby Velásquez at toby.velasquez@emnrd.nm.gov, at least one week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact New Mexico voice relay at 1-800-659-1779 or TTD at 1-800-659-8331. If a summary or other type of accessible format is needed, public documents can be provided in various formats.