Commission adopts resolution opposing expansion of Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge

Commissioner Roy Lee Criswell introduced a resolution opposing the Final Land Protection Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. Criswell said he attended a presentation by Jude Smith and said the Nature Conservancy intends to purchase private land that, as a 501(c)(3), would be removed from tax rolls. He said the proposal could expand the refuge to about 700,000 acres and called the expansion objectionable; the commission voted to adopt Resolution 2024‑26 opposing the plan (mover: Commissioner Paul Grider; second: Commissioner Dennis Lopez) by recorded unanimous vote.

Criswell said those purchases could extend the refuge toward Chaves County. He referenced a meeting where details of the proposal were reviewed and argued that removal of land from tax rolls would be harmful to local tax bases. No Nature Conservancy representative was present to respond at the meeting.

Why it matters: the resolution signals county opposition to a federal refuge expansion plan and frames local concerns about tax base impacts and land use; the motion creates a formal county position to be communicated to relevant agencies.

Details: Criswell referenced a public meeting where the proposal was described; he emphasized concern that a 501(c)(3) acquiring private land would reduce taxable property. The resolution does not bind federal agencies but expresses county opposition.

Next steps: the resolution will be part of the county record and may be transmitted to agencies involved in the refuge planning process.