Chapter 68 — Chapter 68

As used in the Forest and Watershed Restoration Act: A. "board" means the forest and watershed advisory board; B. "buffer" means an area treated to reduce wildfire fuel in order to act as a barrier between properties to limit and halt the spread of wildfire and provide a safe zon…

appointments; terms; compensation. A. The "forest and watershed advisory board" is created and is administratively attached to the energy, minerals and natural resources department. The board consists of the following members: (1) the New Mexico state forester; (2) the state engi…

A. The board shall: (1) recommend guidelines, protocols and best management practices for projects; (2) foster partnerships and cooperation among federal, state and county agencies, tribal entities, political subdivisions of the state, soil and water conservation districts, the f…

evaluation and prioritization. A. Money in the forest land protection revolving fund may be used to administer and carry out the purposes of the Forest and Watershed Restoration Act and to fund projects authorized by the division on any lands in the state for: (1) on-the-ground r…

At least forty-five days prior to each legislative session, the division shall submit a report concerning its activities, the projects implemented and any recommended legislation to the governor and the legislature. History: Laws 2019, ch. 62, § 6.

Sections 1 through 8 [68-5-1 to 68-5-8 NMSA 1978] of this act may be cited as the "Prescribed Burning Act". History: Laws 2021, ch. 13, § 1.

As used in the Prescribed Burning Act: A. "certified prescribed burn manager" means a person certified pursuant to the prescribed burn manager certification program; B. "department" means the energy, minerals and natural resources department; C. "division" means the forestry divi…

A. Prescribed burning is considered in the public interest and not a public or private nuisance. B. Except as limited in Subsection C of this section, a private landowner or a private landowner's agent, contractor or legally authorized designee shall have a right to conduct a pre…

A. A private landowner or a private landowner's agent, contractor or legally authorized designee who is a certified prescribed burn manager and who conducts a prescribed burn is liable for any damages to property or for personal injury caused by the prescribed burn, including the…

The department shall promulgate rules establishing a model prescribed burn permit for use by counties or municipalities. The rules shall provide for required terms and conditions of a prescribed burn permit, including: A. common terminology and definitions; B. standards for data …

burn permits. A county or municipality may adopt an ordinance to require a private landowner to obtain a permit to conduct a prescribed burn. A county or municipality that requires landowners to obtain a permit to conduct a prescribed burn shall use the model prescribed burn perm…

A. The division shall create a prescribed burn manager certification program accessible to private landowners and private landowners' agents, contractors or legally authorized designees who conduct prescribed burns. The certification program shall include training, which shall be…

The extension service shall provide the training required for prescribed burn manager certification as specified in rules adopted by the department. The extension service may collect fees for providing the training. The fees shall not exceed the amount required to recover costs t…

This act [68-6-1 to 68-6-4 NMSA 1978] may be cited as the "Timber Grading Act". History: Laws 2025, ch. 49, § 1.

As used in the Timber Grading Act: A. "building inspector" means a person certified by the construction industries division of the regulation and licensing department and certified by one or more trade bureaus to conduct inspections of permitted construction work to ensure that a…

system; structural timber grading certificate program; structural timber grading certificate. A. The division shall: (1) create a structural timber grading certificate program accessible to sawmill owners and the employees of sawmills to provide training on structural timber grad…

construction. A. A grader shall prepare a label for structural timber that has been graded and shall provide the label to the purchaser of the structural timber. The label shall include the following information: (1) the name of the grader; (2) the name and location of the sawmil…