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Stephanie Garcia Richard, Commissioner of Public Lands

State of New Mexico

NEW MEXICO STATE LAND OFFICE

WHITE PEAK DISPERSED CAMPING PILOT PROGRAM –

DISPERSED CAMPING PERMIT POLICY

Purpose

The overall goal of the White Peak Dispersed Camping Pilot Program is to provide alternative dispersed camping options on New Mexico State Trust Land that allow hunters increased access to an area rich in wildlife and natural beauty. This White Peak Dispersed Camping Permit Policy describes the New Mexico State Land Office policy regarding the stipulations, issuance, and management of Dispersed Camping Permits for the 2020 White Peak Dispersed Camping Pilot Program.

Background

In March 2020, the New Mexico State Land Office (NMSLO) and New Mexico Game Commission signed an easement agreement for 2020-2021 that provides access to 8.8 million acres of State Trust Land for hunters, anglers, and trappers who hold a valid New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) license. Section 11(d) of the agreement states that, on a pilot basis, dispersed camping is authorized in specific areas designated by the Commissioner.

Subsequently, the NMSLO developed the White Peak Dispersed Camping Pilot Program (Pilot Program) to allow, manage, and evaluate dispersed camping under the easement in designated State Trust Lands in White Peak (GMU 48; Mora and Colfax counties) during the Fall of 2020. This Program reflects recommendations received from NMSLO working groups comprised of sportspeople, agriculture lessees, and NMDGF. If the Pilot Program is successful, the NMSLO may expand dispersed camping opportunities elsewhere on State Trust Land.

Definitions

A Dispersed Camping Permit is an instrument issued under the White Peak Dispersed Camping Pilot Program that allows for temporary camping on New Mexico State Trust Lands in specified areas.

Applicability

This policy only applies to holders of a valid NMDGF hunting license for GMU 48 between August 17, 2020 through December 9, 2020, during the dates for which their license is valid, inclusive of the 14-day advanced scouting period.

Policy

Dispersed Camping Permits are required for all licensed hunters to camp in the dispersed camping areas designated in this Policy. Applications for Dispersed Camping Permits will be diligently reviewed by the NMSLO.

A Dispersed Camping Permit is NOT needed to camp in existing camping areas on State Trust Land identified under the easement. Within GMU48, this includes the Cooks Peak, Sawmill, Wet Meadow, Horseshoe, and Black Lake camping areas. They will remain open in 2020-2021 per the terms of the easement and managed as they have been in recent years. For more information about these camping areas, go to https://bit.ly/SLOHuntMap.

The following describes the requirements for issuance of Dispersed Camping Permits and the responsibilities of Permit holders:

A. Dispersed Camping Permit Applications may be downloaded from NMSLO’s website (https://bit.ly/SLO_Hunt_Info) or obtained by calling 505-827-1245.

B. Completed Dispersed Camping Permit Applications may be returned to the email address provided on the application or mailed to the New Mexico State Land Office, 310 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501. If applying via email, please submit application at least ten calendar days in advance of period of use. If applying via U.S. mail, please allow seventeen days.

C. Only holders of a NMDGF license for hunting within GMU 48 are eligible to apply for a Dispersed Camping Permit.

D. There is no application fee for a Dispersed Camping Permit issued under the Pilot Program.

E. Dispersed Camping Permits are valid for 14 consecutive days within the time period of August 17, 2020 through December 9, 2020. The 14-day period includes any advanced scouting period. Dispersed Camping Permits state the dates during which the Permit is valid.

F. Dispersed Camping Permit holders shall carry a paper or electronic copy of the Dispersed Camping Permit at all times and present their Dispersed Camping Permit upon request to NMDGF staff, NMSLO staff, and/or a NMSLO agricultural lessee (NMLSO agricultural lessees are responsible for preventing trespass on the State Trust Lands they lease). Permit holders also must display a visible copy of the Dispersed Camping Permit on the dashboard or windshield of their vehicle. Vehicles without the Permit will be considered to be parked overnight illegally on State Trust Land.

G. A list of Dispersed Camping Permit holders that includes email and cell phone contact info will be provided on a weekly basis to NMDGF staff and any relevant NMSLO agriculture lessees who lease State Trust Land included in this Pilot Program. Upon approval of their Permit, Dispersed Camping Permit holders will be provided with contact info for the abovementioned NMSLO agricultural lessees, along with guidelines that include helpful tips, dos, and don’ts to facilitate awareness and any communication that may need to occur between the multiple users of State Trust Land. Help foster good relations between sportspeople and NMSLO lessees.

H. Dispersed camping and parking are allowed only in those areas indicated on the four Dispersed Camping maps attached to this Policy and described below. Please heed the parking requirements for each area:

1. The White Peak Region Dispersed Camping Map shows an overview of the White Peak region (GMU 48). This map indicates all of the dispersed camping area options throughout the White Peak region.

(The following three maps are enlarged detail maps from the White Peak Region Dispersed Camping Map.)

2. The White Peak Road Area Dispersed Camping Map shows the dispersed camping area along White Peak Road. Park only in areas as indicated on the map and marked with signs. Vehicles must be kept within 50 feet of road. Camping is not allowed along the short stretch of this road that crosses private property.

3. The Ortega Mesa Area Dispersed Camping Map shows the dispersed camping area on State Road 199 located between the Wet Meadow and Sawmill designated camping areas. Park only in areas as indicated on the map and marked with signs. Vehicles must be kept within 150 feet of road.

4. The Spruce South and Spruce North Dispersed Camping Map show the dispersed camping areas accessed from the western part of State Road 199. Park only within the areas indicated on the map and marked on the ground by signs.

I. Overnight parking is prohibited on State Trust Land outside of designated and marked areas.

J. Dispersed Camping Permit holders shall not camp within 200 feet of wetlands, including intermittent streams, and shall not camp within 300 feet of historical structures, archaeological resources, or ranching structures, including corrals and stock tanks.

K. Dispersed Camping Permit holders are responsible for knowing their location and not trespassing on private property. Do not cut fences or deface or remove signs. Please close all gates passed through, regardless if they were open upon arrival.

L. Dispersed Camping Permit holders may take up to three (3) guests with them for the purpose of assisting with their hunt.

M. Dispersed Camping Permit holders must dispose of waste properly -— Leave No Trace

1. Pack It In, Pack It Out: remove all trash and garbage.

2. Properly dispose of human waste:

a. Find a spot at least 300 feet from a water source;

b. Dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep and bury human waste; and

c. Remove used toilet paper from State Trust Land.

d. Sanitary portable toilet systems are acceptable provided all waste is removed from the area and disposed of properly.

N. Fire policy

1. Campfires are prohibited except as currently permitted by the New Mexico State Forester. It is the Permit holder’s responsibility to obtain current information and to comply with any restrictions in place. Information is available by accessing www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SFD/Announcements.html or by calling the Fire Restrictions Hotline at 1-877-864-6985.

2. The Commissioner reserves the right to impose restrictions more limiting, as warranted, than those from the State Forester (e.g., following county mandated restrictions).

3. If campfire restrictions are not in place, Permit holders must still use practices to prevent forest fires. These include, but are not limited to, never leaving a campfire unattended and ensuring it is dead out and cold to the touch before leaving the area. The use of a propane fire pit or fire pan or other device with a spark arrestor is encouraged.

4. In case of a fire emergency, please call 911.

O. Dispersed Camping Permit holders must also comply with the terms and conditions of:

1. their NMDGF license;

2. the NMDGF 2020-2021 New Mexico Hunting Rules & Info publication, including the pages regarding State Trust Land, found at: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/home/publications;

3. the White Peak Dispersed Camping Permit application, including the prohibited activities; and

4. any additional terms and conditions the Commissioner may require related to the management of State Trust Land.

P. Dispersed Camping Permit holders are required to adhere to all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to those dealing with plant and animal species and cultural resources.

Q. A Dispersed Camping Permit does not grant access to private lands nor grant a right to enter or use State Trust Lands other than those specifically in the areas designated on the White Peak Region Dispersed Camping Map attached to the Dispersed Camping Permit and to this Policy.

R. Dispersed Camping Permit holders must adhere to NMSLO rules regarding motorized traffic and only operate motorized vehicles, including Off Road Vehicles, on established roads. Established roads in the White Peak region are rough and primitive, requiring high clearance. Many areas are not suitable for bringing a trailer. For questions about access, please call the NMSLO District Resource Manager at 575-403-8443 or the local NMDGF Area Captain at 505-947-9801.

S. Regarding issues related to access under the easement, use the phone numbers provided above. Another way to report issues is to use NMSLO’s Multiple-Use Incident Reporting Form that can be downloaded from our website at https://bit.ly/MUIRform.

T. Dispersed Camping Permit holders agree to complete and return a Pilot Program evaluation survey to NMSLO. We need and value Permit holders’ input. Permit holders who do not comply may be ineligible for future Dispersed Camping Permits.

U. The Dispersed Camping Pilot Program will only be broadened in future seasons if it is determined to be successful this year. Please help by leaving no trace and respecting private property.

7/23/20 Stephanie Garcia Richard Date Commissioner of Public Lands

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SPRUCE CAMPSITES AREADISPERSED CAMPING

Map 4

ORTEGA MESA AREADISPERSED CAMPING

Map 3

199199

WHITE PEAK ROAD AREADISPERSED CAMPING

Map 2

HorseshoeCampsite

SawmillCampsite

Wet MeadowCampsite

Cooks PeakCampsite

C O L F A XC O L F A X

M O R AM O R A

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Stephanie Garcia RichardCommissioner of Public Lands

505-827-5761www.nmstatelands.org

The New Mexico State Land Office assumes no responsibility or liability for, or in connection with, the accuracy, reliability or use of the information provided herein, with respect to State Land Office data or data from other sources.Data pertaining to New Mexico State Trust Lands are provisional and subject to revision, and do not constitute an official record of title. Official records may be reviewed at the New Mexico State Land Office in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Compiled, edited and printed by the Land Office Geographic Information Center. V:\Field\GameAndFish\MXDs\NMSLO_CampPilot_2020_REGION. Save Date: July 7, 2020. Created by: Eleanore Nestlerode enestlerode@slo.state.nm.us 505-827-5735

±

ÆQ Existing CampsiteAccess RoadsCounty Boundaries

State Trust LandsSurface EstateBoth EstatesProposed DispersedCamping Areas

White Peak RegionDispersed Camping Map

MAP 1

0 1 2 3 40.5Miles

199

199 C O L F A XC O L F A X

M O R AM O R A

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Cooks Peak Road

White PeakRoad

Cooks PeakCampsite

C O L F A XC O L F A X

M O R AM O R A

24N 18E

23N 18E

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Stephanie Garcia RichardCommissioner of Public Lands

505-827-5761www.nmstatelands.org

The New Mexico State Land Office assumes no responsibility or liability for, or in connection with, the accuracy, reliability or use of the information provided herein, with respect to State Land Office data or data from other sources.Data pertaining to New Mexico State Trust Lands are provisional and subject to revision, and do not constitute an official record of title. Official records may be reviewed at the New Mexico State Land Office in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Compiled, edited and printed by the Land Office Geographic Information Center. V:\Field\GameAndFish\MXDs\NMSLO_CampPilot_2020. Save Date: July 14, 2020. Created by: Eleanore Nestlerode enestlerode@slo.state.nm.us 505-827-5735

±0 1 20.5

Miles

199

199 C O L F A XC O L F A X

M O R AM O R A

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¬«120 ÆQ Existing CampsiteAccess RoadsCounty Boundaries

State Trust LandsSurface EstateBoth EstatesProposed DispersedCamping Areas

White Peak Road AreaDispersed Camping Map

MAP 2

ÆQÆQ

199

SawmillCampsite

Wet MeadowCampsite

C O L F A XC O L F A X

M O R AM O R A

24N 19E

23N 19E

24N 18E

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Stephanie Garcia RichardCommissioner of Public Lands

505-827-5761www.nmstatelands.org

The New Mexico State Land Office assumes no responsibility or liability for, or in connection with, the accuracy, reliability or use of the information provided herein, with respect to State Land Office data or data from other sources.Data pertaining to New Mexico State Trust Lands are provisional and subject to revision, and do not constitute an official record of title. Official records may be reviewed at the New Mexico State Land Office in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Compiled, edited and printed by the Land Office Geographic Information Center. V:\Field\GameAndFish\MXDs\NMSLO_CampPilot_2020. Save Date: July 14, 2020. Created by: Eleanore Nestlerode enestlerode@slo.state.nm.us 505-827-5735

± Ortega Mesa AreaDispersed Camping Map

MAP 3

0 1 20.5Miles

199

199 C O L F A XC O L F A X

M O R AM O R A

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¬«120 ÆQ Existing CampsiteAccess RoadsCounty Boundaries

State Trust LandsSurface EstateBoth EstatesProposed DispersedCamping Areas

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SPRUCE SOUTHCAMPING AREA

SPRUCE NORTHCAMPING

AREA

199

199

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24N 17E

17

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Stephanie Garcia RichardCommissioner of Public Lands

505-827-5761www.nmstatelands.org

The New Mexico State Land Office assumes no responsibility or liability for, or in connection with, the accuracy, reliability or use of the information provided herein, with respect to State Land Office data or data from other sources.Data pertaining to New Mexico State Trust Lands are provisional and subject to revision, and do not constitute an official record of title. Official records may be reviewed at the New Mexico State Land Office in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Compiled, edited and printed by the Land Office Geographic Information Center. V:\Field\GameAndFish\MXDs\NMSLO_CampPilot_2020. Save Date: July 14, 2020. Created by: Eleanore Nestlerode enestlerode@slo.state.nm.us 505-827-5735

±199

199 C O L F A XC O L F A X

M O R AM O R A

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Spruce South and Spruce North AreaDispersed Camping Map

MAP 4ÆQ Existing Campsite

Access RoadsCounty Boundaries

State Trust LandsSurface EstateBoth EstatesProposed DispersedCamping Areas