Congressional Notebook: Stansbury pushes for outdoor recreation funding

Sep. 3—From shredding slopes in Taos to fly-fishing outside of Farmington to exploring caves in Carlsbad, New Mexico is a state jam-packed with outdoor recreation opportunities.

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., last week announced she was introducing a bill that would authorize $50 million a year in recreation and economic development funding.

Stansbury said in a statement that the economics of playing outside are nothing to scoff at. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis found economic output for the outdoor recreation economy in New Mexico was a whopping $2.3 billion, or 2.1% of the state gross domestic product, in 2021, an increase of $400 million over 2020.

The bill would authorize:

 $30 million for public works to make infrastructure improvements, from signage to boat ramps to new trails;

 $5 million for planning grants through the Economic Development Administration for communities to create recreation economy plans that optimize their natural places, including marketing, branding, business development, fundraising and tourism management;

 $2.5 million in university partnerships to promote research, education and technical assistance to local stakeholders and businesses for outdoor recreation development;

 $12.5 million for the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities grants for Main Street revitalization through outdoor recreation.

"The outdoor economy brings billions of dollars to New Mexico every year and employs over 35,000 people across the state," Stansbury said. "New Mexico is proof that investments in our outdoor economies help revitalize and create opportunity in our rural communities."

ENDORSEMENTS: Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., on social media Thursday made several endorsements in upcoming city council races in the state.

In Albuquerque, the senator endorsed Joaquín Baca in the District 2 race. Councilor Isaac Benton, who isn't seeking reelection, currently holds the seat, which includes the Downtown and Old Town areas.

Baca is a water resource manager for the U.S. Forest Service.

In District 4, Heinrich endorsed Abby Foster over incumbent Brook Basan. Foster is a small business owner, attorney and mediator who practices adult guardianship law.

District 4 includes parts of the Northeast Heights.

Heinrich also endorsed Johana Bencomo and Tessa Abeyta, who are running for city council positions in Las Cruces.

HAWAII TRIP: Two New Mexico congresswomen recently returned from trips to Hawaii and the Indo-Pacific, where meetings were held with high-ranking government officials throughout the region.

Stansbury and and fellow Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández were among the representatives on the bipartisan trip.

The travel included briefings at military installations and from high-ranking government officials in Guam, Palau, Peleliu, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Marshall Islands.

The trip ended with a visit to Maui to survey damage of the devastating fires in Lahaina, where hundreds of people were either killed or are still missing after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.

Stansbury pledged to support the communities as they rebuild and recover.

"There are not words to describe the devastating loss and heartbreak of seeing this catastrophic damage first-hand," Stansbury said in a statement. "While the people of Maui are resilient, and first responders, aid workers, and clean-up crews are working around the clock, we know that the long road to recovery and rebuilding lies ahead."