Catron County Catron County Comprehensive Land PlanComprehensive Land Plan

RevisionRevision

Public meetingsPublic meetings

February 2007February 2007

IntroductionsIntroductions

The Comprehensive Plan Revision The Comprehensive Plan Revision committees and staffcommittees and staff

Ed Wehrheim, Catron County Commission Chair, Commissioner District 2Ed Wehrheim, Catron County Commission Chair, Commissioner District 2 Allen Lambert, Catron County Commissioner District 1Allen Lambert, Catron County Commissioner District 1 Hugh B. McKeen, Catron County Commissioner District 3Hugh B. McKeen, Catron County Commissioner District 3 Howard Hutchinson, Comprehensive Planning Committee Chair, Water CommitteeHoward Hutchinson, Comprehensive Planning Committee Chair, Water Committee Alan Tackman, Livestock/Range CommitteeAlan Tackman, Livestock/Range Committee Henry Martinez, Tourism/Outdoor RecreationHenry Martinez, Tourism/Outdoor Recreation Tom Klumker, WildlifeTom Klumker, Wildlife Neil Zoller, MiningNeil Zoller, Mining Don Weaver, Emergency ServicesDon Weaver, Emergency Services Staff: Southwest Center for Resource Analysis at Western New Mexico UniversityStaff: Southwest Center for Resource Analysis at Western New Mexico University

You, the public – an integral part of You, the public – an integral part of planningplanning

What is a Comprehensive What is a Comprehensive Plan?Plan?

A guideline for decision-making by A guideline for decision-making by the Catron County Commissionthe Catron County CommissionA Comprehensive Plan is a plan for the future of Catron A Comprehensive Plan is a plan for the future of Catron

County which provides guidelines for decision-making by County which provides guidelines for decision-making by the Catron County Commission and for the citizens and the Catron County Commission and for the citizens and businesses of the County. This long-range planning for businesses of the County. This long-range planning for the county identifies the goals, objectives, principles, the county identifies the goals, objectives, principles, guidelines, policies, standards, and strategies for the guidelines, policies, standards, and strategies for the growth and development of our county. It ensures that growth and development of our county. It ensures that what is here now will be protected and supported in the what is here now will be protected and supported in the upcoming years.upcoming years.

A Comprehensive Plan…A Comprehensive Plan…

Is based on the vision of the people Is based on the vision of the people of the County for the growth and of the County for the growth and development of our county. development of our county.

A Comprehensive Plan…A Comprehensive Plan…

Ensures that what is here now will be Ensures that what is here now will be protected and supported in the protected and supported in the upcoming years.upcoming years.A comprehensive plan is a guarantee by and for the A comprehensive plan is a guarantee by and for the

citizens of Catron County for the future of the County. It citizens of Catron County for the future of the County. It guarantees that the decisions made today will be carried guarantees that the decisions made today will be carried through and built upon by the decisions of tomorrow, through and built upon by the decisions of tomorrow, and that the resources and opportunities of this County and that the resources and opportunities of this County

will be available for future generations.will be available for future generations.

PurposePurpose

Original Catron County Comprehensive Original Catron County Comprehensive Land Use and Policy Plan adopted in 1992Land Use and Policy Plan adopted in 1992

Sets forth County policies to protect Sets forth County policies to protect property rights of its citizensproperty rights of its citizens

Affirms the County’s customs and cultures, Affirms the County’s customs and cultures, which are codified into County law which are codified into County law (ordinances)(ordinances)

The 1992 plan recognized the basic The 1992 plan recognized the basic constitutional principles of protecting constitutional principles of protecting property rightsproperty rights

From the 1992 Plan:From the 1992 Plan:

This document has nothing to do with zoning ordinances or This document has nothing to do with zoning ordinances or public funds promoting economic development. Its concern public funds promoting economic development. Its concern is with creating an environment of opportunity for all is with creating an environment of opportunity for all citizens; an environment where individual initiative and citizens; an environment where individual initiative and entrepreneurship can be encouraged, applied and released entrepreneurship can be encouraged, applied and released for the public benefit. …. the comprehensive plan relies on for the public benefit. …. the comprehensive plan relies on an informed and responsible county government working an informed and responsible county government working with informed and responsible local citizens; each working with informed and responsible local citizens; each working cooperatively within their communities…cooperatively within their communities…

The comprehensive plan does not directly address the wide The comprehensive plan does not directly address the wide range of issues pertaining to infrastructure vital to social range of issues pertaining to infrastructure vital to social well-being. It does, however, address the most basic public well-being. It does, however, address the most basic public good of all: freedom, the bundle of rights and liberties that good of all: freedom, the bundle of rights and liberties that bestows on every citizen the title of free man and free bestows on every citizen the title of free man and free woman. It is the firm belief of the citizens of Catron County woman. It is the firm belief of the citizens of Catron County that the first objective of government is to secure these that the first objective of government is to secure these rights and liberties, and to that purpose, this plan is rights and liberties, and to that purpose, this plan is dedicated.dedicated.

PurposePurpose

Original Catron County Comprehensive Original Catron County Comprehensive Land Use and Policy Plan adopted in 1992Land Use and Policy Plan adopted in 1992

Sets forth County policies to protect Sets forth County policies to protect property rights of its citizensproperty rights of its citizens

Affirms the County’s customs and cultures, Affirms the County’s customs and cultures, which are codified into County law which are codified into County law (ordinances)(ordinances)

The 1992 plan recognized the basic The 1992 plan recognized the basic constitutional principles of protecting constitutional principles of protecting property rightsproperty rights

Why revise the 1992 Plan?Why revise the 1992 Plan?

The 1992 Plan says it is an adaptive The 1992 Plan says it is an adaptive strategy that tells citizens not where strategy that tells citizens not where to go, but how they might best arrive to go, but how they might best arrive at their desired destinations. at their desired destinations.

Why revise the 1992 Plan?Why revise the 1992 Plan?

Conditions change over 15 years Conditions change over 15 years time and the Plan needs to adjust for time and the Plan needs to adjust for new conditions.new conditions.

As economic conditions change and people change, their As economic conditions change and people change, their land issues necessarily change: We have new residents land issues necessarily change: We have new residents moving it; the use and opportunities and conservation moving it; the use and opportunities and conservation needs of our precious natural resources are changing. needs of our precious natural resources are changing.

Why revise the 1992 Plan?Why revise the 1992 Plan?

There is a need to not only update There is a need to not only update information about the economic and information about the economic and population demographics of the population demographics of the County, but to update the desired County, but to update the desired conditions and Land Plan policies conditions and Land Plan policies regardingregarding thethe future in Catron future in Catron County by revising the County by revising the Catron County Catron County Comprehensive Land PlanComprehensive Land Plan..

How the process worksHow the process works

Who is involved?Who is involved? Land owners and business owners - anyone who stands Land owners and business owners - anyone who stands

to be affected by the future of this County - may be and to be affected by the future of this County - may be and are encouraged to be involved with this revision. are encouraged to be involved with this revision. 

How the process worksHow the process works

What is being revised?What is being revised? There are three major areas to Public Comprehensive There are three major areas to Public Comprehensive

Planning: One - what we are doing in the February Planning: One - what we are doing in the February public meetings - covers land and resource use. The public meetings - covers land and resource use. The second is infrastructure - the bricks and mortar part, so second is infrastructure - the bricks and mortar part, so to speak. The County contracted with an Albuquerque to speak. The County contracted with an Albuquerque company to create a Capital Improvements Plan, which, company to create a Capital Improvements Plan, which, when finished, will become part of the overall when finished, will become part of the overall Comprehensive Plan. A third overreaching part is Comprehensive Plan. A third overreaching part is growth management, which the County is considering growth management, which the County is considering addressing after the first two parts are completed. The addressing after the first two parts are completed. The specific issues of subdivisions, for example, would be specific issues of subdivisions, for example, would be addressed in the growth management phase.addressed in the growth management phase.

How the process worksHow the process works

Steps for revising the PlanSteps for revising the Plan First stage of public involvement to end March 31First stage of public involvement to end March 31 A rough draft of analysis of public input is created, draft Plan A rough draft of analysis of public input is created, draft Plan

writtenwritten Second stage of public involvement Second stage of public involvement Public presentation of Comprehensive PlanPublic presentation of Comprehensive Plan Final adjustments Final adjustments Completion of  Comprehensive Plan July 2007Completion of  Comprehensive Plan July 2007

PUBLIC INPUTPUBLIC INPUT

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Population Households

19922006 (estimated)

Higher population and number of households, but lower Higher population and number of households, but lower number of persons per household. number of persons per household.

Median population olderMedian population older Shift from spread-out farming households to concentrated Shift from spread-out farming households to concentrated

subdivision householdssubdivision householdsSource: US Census Bureau Source: US Census Bureau

Population Population (a reference for the rest)(a reference for the rest)

Catron County Existing Catron County Existing Conditions & TrendsConditions & Trends

Six topic areas:Six topic areas: Timber and forest healthTimber and forest health Livestock and rangeland health Livestock and rangeland health Tourism and outdoor recreationTourism and outdoor recreation Wildlife: use and protection Wildlife: use and protection Mining: hard rock, energy, sand & Mining: hard rock, energy, sand &

gravel, othersgravel, others Water: resources, water rights, and Water: resources, water rights, and

watersheds watersheds

Timber and forest healthTimber and forest health

0

4

8

12

16

20

Timber Fuelwood

1985 (estimated)

2006 (estimated)

Source: Catron County Comprehensive Land Use Plan, 1992 and USFS data

Timber and forest health Timber and forest health trendstrends

Forests are growing faster than forest Forests are growing faster than forest restoration can be accomplished - even at restoration can be accomplished - even at the rate of the cutting in the 80's the rate of the cutting in the 80's

Woodland growth has encroached Woodland growth has encroached grasslands over the past 60 years and grasslands over the past 60 years and competes with humans for water resourcescompetes with humans for water resources

With increasing population and inability to With increasing population and inability to keep up with growth, there is greater risk keep up with growth, there is greater risk from wildfire to residentsfrom wildfire to residents

Livestock and rangeland Livestock and rangeland healthhealth

0

40

80

120

160

200

240

Number of farms

19972002

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

Sales, cattle & calves ($1000)

19972002

Source: New Mexico 2002 Census of Agriculture (issued 2004) Source: New Mexico 2002 Census of Agriculture (issued 2004)

Livestock and rangeland Livestock and rangeland healthhealth

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

45000

1992(estimated)

2006(estimated)

Livestock: totalcattle (head)

Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NAAS)

Livestock and rangeland health Livestock and rangeland health trendstrends

Cattle ranching provides roughly one half county Cattle ranching provides roughly one half county real and personal tax revenuesreal and personal tax revenues No/few financial obligations associated with cattle tax revenuesNo/few financial obligations associated with cattle tax revenues High financial obligations associated with revenues from property High financial obligations associated with revenues from property

tax (e.g. roads, EMS)tax (e.g. roads, EMS)

Cattle population and sales revenues dropped Cattle population and sales revenues dropped roughly in halfroughly in half

Number of farms dropped roughly by one thirdNumber of farms dropped roughly by one third Existing farms are each making less moneyExisting farms are each making less money If cattle revenues disappear, property taxes may be If cattle revenues disappear, property taxes may be

the only replacement sourcethe only replacement source

Tourism and outdoor Tourism and outdoor recreationrecreation

An informal, one-day telephone survey was An informal, one-day telephone survey was done of Catron County businesses done of Catron County businesses associated with Tourism. Questions asked associated with Tourism. Questions asked were:were: Town or area business is locatedTown or area business is located Nature of business (accommodations, gas/service, Nature of business (accommodations, gas/service,

café/restaurant, grocery, hunting related, othercafé/restaurant, grocery, hunting related, other Percentage of business tourist relatedPercentage of business tourist related Highest months for tourism related businessHighest months for tourism related business How does this past year’s business compare to five years agoHow does this past year’s business compare to five years ago

Tourism and outdoor Tourism and outdoor recreationrecreation

0 4 8 12 16 20

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

northcentralsouthALL

Source: January 2007 Survey by Comprehensive Planning Committee Staff

Tourism and outdoor Tourism and outdoor recreationrecreation

0

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

north central south

bettersameworse

Tourism and outdoor Tourism and outdoor recreation trendsrecreation trends

Highest tourism income is directly Highest tourism income is directly related to hunting seasonsrelated to hunting seasons

The Highway 60 corridor appears to The Highway 60 corridor appears to provide a greater source of revenues, provide a greater source of revenues, even for those businesses which are even for those businesses which are hunting-dependenthunting-dependent

WildlifeWildlife

Catron County hunting recordsCatron County hunting recordsSource: NM Game & Fish, Dec. 2006Source: NM Game & Fish, Dec. 2006

B&C Score, trophy animal and yearB&C Score, trophy animal and year1. 402 2/8 American Elk (typical) 19971. 402 2/8 American Elk (typical) 19972. 430 2/8 American elk (nontypical) 2. 430 2/8 American elk (nontypical)

199819989. 259 7/8 Mule deer (nontypical) 19819. 259 7/8 Mule deer (nontypical) 19814. 90 6/8 Pronghorn 20034. 90 6/8 Pronghorn 20032. 21 9/16 Black Bear 19832. 21 9/16 Black Bear 1983

Wildlife trendsWildlife trends

Wildfires, disease and predators may Wildfires, disease and predators may have a detrimental effect on health have a detrimental effect on health of herdsof herds

Closure of forest due to wildfires may Closure of forest due to wildfires may reduce enjoyment of wildlife by reduce enjoyment of wildlife by humanshumans

MiningMining

AcanthiteAcanthite Albitear: var: Andesine   var: Oligoclase Albitear: var: Andesine   var: Oligoclase Anorthite var: Labradorite Anorthite var: Labradorite Augite Augite AzuriteAzurite BorniteBornite BromargyriteBromargyrite CalciteCalcite 'Chalcedony‘'Chalcedony‘ ChalcociteChalcocite ChalcopyriteChalcopyrite ChlorargyriteChlorargyrite Group‘Group‘ ChrysocollaChrysocolla Clinoclase Clinoclase

Mogollon Mining District

MiningMining

CovelliteCovellite Cuprite Cuprite EpidoteEpidote FluoriteFluorite GalenaGalena GoldGold GreenockiteGreenockite HalloysiteHalloysite HematiteHematite JalpaiteJalpaite KaoliniteKaolinite Limonite Limonite MalachiteMalachite Mckinstryite Mckinstryite 'Olivine' 'Olivine' Orthoclase var: AdulariaOrthoclase var: Adularia

Mogollon Mining District

MiningMining

'Psilomelane' 'Psilomelane' Pyrargyrite Pyrargyrite Pyrite Pyrite PyrolusitePyrolusite Quartzvar: Quartzvar: Amethystvar: JasperAmethystvar: Jasper RhodochrositeRhodochrosite 'Sericite‘'Sericite‘ Silver Silver Sphalerite Sphalerite SternbergiteSternbergite StromeyeriteStromeyerite TelluriumTellurium TetrahedriteTetrahedrite 'Wad' (Manganese Oxides/Hydroxides)'Wad' (Manganese Oxides/Hydroxides)

Mogollon Mining District

MiningMining

Cassiterite (Tin) - southeasternCassiterite (Tin) - southeastern Carbon dioxide - western Carbon dioxide - western Helium - northeasternHelium - northeastern Coal – northernCoal – northern Gravel/cindersGravel/cinders

Elsewhere in Catron County

Mining considerationsMining considerations

Availability of ore and gasses is Availability of ore and gasses is actually high actually high

Economic viability of mining may be Economic viability of mining may be dependant on cost of meeting state dependant on cost of meeting state and federal restoration requirements and federal restoration requirements

Water availability is a factor for some Water availability is a factor for some miningmining

Water trendsWater trends

Increase in households means increase in Increase in households means increase in number of wellsnumber of wells

Limited number of water rights for part of Limited number of water rights for part of the countythe county

Lowering of water tables for some in past Lowering of water tables for some in past 10-15 years10-15 years

Low percentage of parcels built on at this Low percentage of parcels built on at this time means not many wells yet – or time means not many wells yet – or septic systemsseptic systems

Where do you want the Where do you want the county to go?county to go?

CONCERNS &ISSUES

ABOUT EXISTING CONDITIONS

DESIRED FUTURE CONDITIONS

PLAN(how to get from existing

conditions to desired future conditions)

IDENTIFICATION OFINTERESTS

Where from here?Where from here?

Comment period 45 daysComment period 45 days Comments will be compiled and analyzedComments will be compiled and analyzed Results will be available online Results will be available online

www.catroncounty.net/cccpwww.catroncounty.net/cccp and at Catron and at Catron County Commission office (505) 533-6423County Commission office (505) 533-6423

Email Lif Strand Email Lif Strand lif.strand@gmail.comlif.strand@gmail.com. or . or Linda Cooke Linda Cooke ccommiss3@gilanet.comccommiss3@gilanet.com