Committee advances $5 million wildfire‑prevention bill for Middle Rio Grande Bosque

The Senate Indian Rural Cultural Affairs Committee voted 5-0 to give a do-pass recommendation to Senate Bill 332, which would appropriate $5,000,000 over five years to the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) for wildfire-prevention work along the Bosque from Cochiti to Bosque del Apache.

Sponsor Senator Sanchez told the committee the conservancy district already has planning and programs in place but lacks funding. "This bill brings an appropriation of $5,000,000 over the next five years," Sanchez said, noting the district is "shovel ready" to remove hazardous fuel, address invasive species and reintroduce managed grazing to reduce fire risk.

John Thompson, registered lobbyist for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, told the committee the district manages the Bosque and has partners ready to implement work. "We are shovel ready to put this to work as soon as we can get the funds," Thompson said, and he endorsed the inclusion of grazing and Pueblo partnerships for fuel reduction.

Rio Communities city manager Dr. Martin Morse described recent near‑misses and a January wildfire that burned outside the typical fire season, saying fuels are unusually dry and that dead salt cedar is increasing fire risk. "Opportunities for injury or loss of life are very significant," Morse said, urging committee support.

PNM lobbyist Sher Roanhorse also registered support.

Action: Senator Schaer moved a do-pass recommendation for SB 332; Senator Maestas seconded. The roll call recorded all five present senators voting yes (Maestas — yes; Sanchez — yes; Sherr — yes; Solis — yes; Pinto — yes). The committee recorded a 5-0 vote to advance the bill.

If enacted, the appropriation would allocate $1,000,000 per year for five years to implement fuel reduction, invasive-species control and grazing programs along the Middle Rio Grande Bosque.