A. The legislature finds that the health and safety of our increasingly fragile environment is threatened daily by increased emissions of carbon dioxide. These emissions deplete the stratospheric ozone and cause dangerous greenhouse and global warming effects. Trees naturally synthesize carbon dioxide into oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis and thereby reduce the harmful environmental effects caused by carbon dioxide.
B. Trees protect and promote soil, energy and water conservation and generally enhance the state's environment.
C. The purpose of the New Mexico Forest Re-Leaf Act [68-2-29 to 68-2-33 NMSA 1978] is to help protect the environment and to improve the quality of life by encouraging and arranging for the planting of trees throughout the state by children, students, parents, schools, civic and community groups and all residents of New Mexico.
History: Laws 1990, ch. 96, § 2.
Compiler's notes. — Laws 1990 (1st SS), ch. 6, § 8 repealed Laws 1990, ch. 96, § 7 which provided a contingent effective date for Sections 1 to 5 of the act.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Article 2 - Forest Conservation
Section 68-2-2 - [Acceptance of federal laws.]
Section 68-2-3 - State forester; compensation; seal; qualifications.
Section 68-2-4 - Forestry division office; state forester in charge; executive officer.
Section 68-2-5 - State forester; employment of personnel; state fire chief; office clerk.
Section 68-2-6 - Division to serve as contracting agency for state.
Section 68-2-7 - Forest fire defined.
Section 68-2-8 - Statewide responsibility for forest fire protection.
Section 68-2-9 - Penalty for obstruction.
Section 68-2-10 - Administrative districts.
Section 68-2-11 - Contracts for protection of forest areas.
Section 68-2-12 - Acquisition and disposition of land by division.
Section 68-2-14 - Enforcement of laws; investigation of violations.
Section 68-2-16 - Rules and regulations of division.
Section 68-2-17 - Laws; rules and regulations; violations; penalties.
Section 68-2-21 - Revolving fund created.
Section 68-2-22 - Cutting and removing woody material without written consent.
Section 68-2-23 - Definitions.
Section 68-2-24 - Forest land policy.
Section 68-2-25 - Forest owner assistance.
Section 68-2-26 - Enforcement; Forest Conservation Act.
Section 68-2-27 - Using false information to comply with the Forest Conservation Act.
Section 68-2-28 - Forest land protection revolving fund created.
Section 68-2-29 - Short title.
Section 68-2-30 - Findings and purpose of act.
Section 68-2-31 - Definition[s].
Section 68-2-33 - Tree planting advisory committee created; purpose of committee; composition.