ADVISORY
The New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance requests that its members become and remain vigilant of matters affecting the preservation of our state’s cultural patrimony. There are several issues that need our members’ immediate and continued attention at the state government level, including, but not limited to:
- · The extended vacancy of the State Historic Preservation Officer and its role as director of the Historic Preservation Division within the Department.
- · The more than year-long rash of criticism of the former Cultural Review Committee’s actions related to the designation of “traditional cultural properties” – specifically the designation of Mount Taylor as one such property.
- · The interest by some state legislators and state government officials in redefining the role of the Cultural Properties Review Committee through legislation and/or executive action.
- · The Historic Preservation Division’s continued loss of personnel due to retirements or transfers, and the inability of the division to fill these critical vacancies.
- · The proposed legislation during the 2011 general legislative session, and again through legislation introduced during this year’s legislative session (HB 157) to merge the existing Tourism and Cultural Affairs department into a Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department.
- · The continued debilitating of the Division of State Monuments within the Department of Cultural Affairs due to the loss of personnel, funding and the continued lack of leadership and capable management.
Please take action and contact your elected representatives as well as specific government officials and express your concerns!