An Albuquerque City Council committee unanimously approved a measure Thursday supporting continued federal oversight of public lands in the area, timing the vote just ahead of National Public Lands Day.
The Land Use, Planning, and Zoning Committee advanced Memorial M-25-5, which expresses the council’s backing for federal stewardship of lands, including the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest and Petroglyph National Monument.
District 7 Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn, who chairs the committee and sponsored the memorial, said the timing was intentional.
“National Public Lands Day is the perfect moment to reaffirm our commitment to protecting the beautiful and historic lands that make Albuquerque such a special place to live,” Fiebelkorn said in a statement. “These public spaces provide recreation, preserve cultural heritage, and support our local economy.”
National Public Lands Day falls on Saturday.
The memorial cites the economic impact of public lands, noting that outdoor recreation contributes more than $3 billion annually to New Mexico’s economy and supports nearly 30,000 jobs statewide.
The measure now advances to the full City Council for consideration on Oct. 6.
Memorial resolutions express the council’s position on issues but do not carry the force of law.