New Mexico Statutes
Article 6 - Cultural Properties
Section 18-6-2 - Purpose of act.

The legislature hereby declares that the historical and cultural heritage of the state is one of the state's most valued and important assets; that the public has an interest in the preservation of all antiquities, historic and prehistoric ruins, sites, structures, objects and similar places and things for their scientific and historical information and value; that the neglect, desecration and destruction of historical and cultural sites, structures, places and objects results in an irreplaceable loss to the public; and that therefore it is the purpose of the Cultural Properties Act [18-6-1 to 18-6-17 NMSA 1978] to provide for the preservation, protection and enhancement of structures, sites and objects of historical significance within the state, in a manner conforming with, but not limited by, the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-665).
History: 1953 Comp., § 4-27-5, enacted by Laws 1969, ch. 223, § 2.
Cross references. — For the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (P.L. 89-665), see 16 U.S.C. § 470 et seq.
Law reviews. — For note, "Cultural Properties Act — Turley v. State and the New Mexico Cultural Properties Act: A Matter of Interpretation", see 13 N.M.L. Rev. 737 (1983).
For student article, "The Efficacy of State Law in Protecting Native American Sacred Places: A Case Study of the Paseo Del Norte Extension," see 47 Nat. Resources J. 969 (2007).
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — Validity and construction of statute or ordinance protecting historical landmarks, 18 A.L.R.4th 990.
Application and construction of § 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 USCS § 470f), dealing with federally sponsored projects which affect historic properties, 68 A.L.R. Fed. 578.

Structure New Mexico Statutes

New Mexico Statutes

Chapter 18 - Libraries, Museums and Cultural Properties

Article 6 - Cultural Properties

Section 18-6-1 - Short title.

Section 18-6-2 - Purpose of act.

Section 18-6-3 - Definitions.

Section 18-6-4 - Committee created; membership; compensation; voting; term; chairman; meetings.

Section 18-6-5 - Committee; powers and duties.

Section 18-6-6 - Cultural affairs department; powers and duties relating to the cultural properties act.

Section 18-6-7 - Historic preservation division; planning; fiscal administration and cooperation for purposes of the cultural properties act.

Section 18-6-8 - State historic preservation officer; appointment; qualifications; duties.

Section 18-6-8.1 - Review of proposed state undertakings.

Section 18-6-9 - Cultural property; unauthorized excavation, injury or destruction; criminal damage to property.

Section 18-6-9.1 - Cultural property; unauthorized appropriation; larceny.

Section 18-6-9.2 - Cultural property; unauthorized damage or appropriation; civil penalties.

Section 18-6-9.3 - Cultural property; forfeiture of instruments.

Section 18-6-10 - Cultural properties on private land.

Section 18-6-11 - Permit required for excavation of archaeological sites; penalty.

Section 18-6-11.1 - Confidentiality of site location.

Section 18-6-11.2 - Permit required for excavation of unmarked burials; penalty.

Section 18-6-12 - Emergency classification pending investigation.

Section 18-6-13 - Repealed.

Section 18-6-14 - State historian.

Section 18-6-15 - State archaeologist.

Section 18-6-16 - Preparation and sale of cultural properties publications; revolving fund; report.

Section 18-6-17 - Designation of state historic sites; reservation of lands for historic site care and management.

Section 18-6-18 - Short title.

Section 18-6-19 - Purpose.

Section 18-6-20 - Definitions.

Section 18-6-21 - Fund created; administration.

Section 18-6-22 - Loan program; duties of division and committee.

Section 18-6-23 - Loans; criteria.

Section 18-6-24 - Short title.

Section 18-6-25 - Definitions.

Section 18-6-26 - Remains designated for reburial.

Section 18-6-27 - Designation of reburial grounds site.