In New Mexico, the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (“EMNRD”) is a state agency.  It was established pursuant to N.M. Stat. Ann. § 9-5A-3.  The EMNRD was created through a merger between the Natural Resources Department and the Energy and Minerals Department.  The EMNRD is comprised of the following divisions[i]:

a)     the administrative services division;

b)     the state parks division;

c)     the forestry division which shall include a soil and water conservation bureau;

d)     the energy conservation and management division;

e)      the mining and minerals division; and

f)       the oil conservation division.

The administrative services division provides clerical, recordkeeping, and administrative support to the department in the areas of personnel, budget, procurement, and contracting.

The energy conservation and management division shall plan, administer, review, provide technical assistance, maintain records, and monitor state and federal energy conservation and alternative energy technology programs.

The forestry division enforces and administers all laws and regulations relating to forestry on lands within the state.

The mining and minerals division enforces and administers laws and regulations relating to mine safety, coal surface mine reclamation, and abandoned mine lands reclamation.

The oil conservation division administers the laws and regulations relating to oil, gas, and geothermal resources, except those laws specifically administered by another authority.

The state park and recreation division develops, maintains, manages, and supervises all state parks and state-owned or state-leased recreation areas.

The following are the goals of the EMNRD:

a)     To make New Mexico a leader in developing reliable supplies of energy, and energy efficient technologies and practices, with a balanced approach toward conserving renewable and non-renewable resources;

b)     To protect the environment and ensure responsible reclamation of land and resources affected by mineral extraction;

c)     To be effective in leading New Mexico in growing healthy, sustainable forests, and managing them for a variety of users and ecologically sound uses;

d)     To improve the state park system into a nationwide leader that protects New Mexico’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources for posterity and contributes to a sustainable economy statewide.

The secretary of EMNRD is to develop a comprehensive watershed restoration strategy that sets guidelines for coordination with state and federal land management agencies and political subdivisions, including the soil and water conservation districts and other stakeholders. The strategy focuses on removing the overabundance of woody vegetation, particularly non-native species of phreatophytes that consume excessive amounts of water and on reestablishing the natural ecology of New Mexico[ii].  Pursuant to N.M. Stat. Ann. § 9-5A-10, the strategy includes:

a)     incentives to encourage the formation of businesses to clear vegetation;

b)      incentives to encourage biomass energy use; and

c)      the use of inmates from the corrections department to assist with watershed cleanup.

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department

[i] N.M. Stat. Ann. § 9-5A-4.

[ii] N.M. Stat. Ann. § 9-5A-10.