New Mexico State Land Office

Recreational Access Permit Application

and Terms and Conditions

The New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands (Commissioner) issues Recreational Access Permits (Permits) for hiking and other recreational access to New Mexico State Trust Lands (State Trust Lands). Permits authorize individuals to whom the Permits are issued (Permittees) to access State Trust Lands for recreational purposes only, subject to the terms and conditions attached to this Application, as well as to applicable State Land Office rules and requirements.

The Commissioner has authorized the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) to issue Permits on the Commissioner’s behalf, subject to the same terms and conditions, rules and requirements, for access to the Continental Divide Trail on State Trust Lands. Permits are valid for one year from date of issue and cost $35.00.

To apply for a Recreational Access Permit to access New Mexico State Trust Lands, read this Application and Terms and Conditions carefully, complete the Application electronically, sign and date the Application, and remit payment in the amount of $35.00.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. A Permit is valid for the named Permittee, as well as up to ten (10) Family Members of that individual. For purposes of a Recreational Access Permit, “Family Members” may include a spouse or domestic partner, parent or stepparent, child or stepchild, grandparent or step-grandparent, grandchild or step-grandchild, sibling or step-sibling, first cousin, aunt or uncle, and in-law. To be covered by the Permit, Family Members must be identified in this Application and must be traveling in the company of the Permittee. Unless otherwise noted, references in this Application to the “Permittee” include Family Members identified in this Application. Permits are not assignable or transferable.

2. Permits are valid from the date of issuance and expire one year from the date of issuance, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Paragraph 4.

3. A Permit allows the Permittee to access State Trust Lands for recreational purposes. “Recreational purposes” include but are not limited to hiking, sightseeing, observing wildlife, and photography. Permittees shall not conduct non-recreational activities on State Trust Lands, which include but are not limited to:

Disturbing, harassing, injuring, destroying or removing wildlife, livestock or other animal life;

Disturbing, dislodging, damaging, destroying or removing native plants, standing timber, wood products, flowers, crops, or other plant life other than piñon nuts gathered for personal consumption;

Disturbing, dislodging, damaging, defacing, destroying or removing historical, archaeological, paleontological or cultural sites or artifacts;

Disturbing, dislodging, damaging, defacing, or destroying any improvement, fixture, or other object placed or located on State Trust Lands;

Crossing lands not open to recreational access, without permission, to gain access to State Trust Lands that are open to recreational access;

Using off-road vehicles on State Trust Lands;

Bringing unrestrained (i.e. unleashed) animals to State Trust Lands;

Discarding refuse, waste or litter of any kind;

Building open fires, igniting fireworks, or conducting any other activity that increases the risk of range, brush or forest fires;

Conducting any type of commercial operation;

Discharging firearms, camping overnight, and opening gates without closing them afterward;

Bringing onto State Trust Lands or consuming thereon alcoholic beverages;

Violating any applicable law, statute, regulation, ordinance or rule enacted by any applicable governmental entity;

Fishing, trapping or hunting without a valid New Mexico license;

Mineral exploration, development, or mining, or collecting valuable rocks or minerals;

Interfering with the authorized activities of other land users; or

Entering, climbing, or accessing in any way structures, buildings, fixtures, or improvements other than fences or gates, that are located on State Trust Lands.

By signing and submitting this Application, the Permittee expressly acknowledges that commission of a prohibited activity shall render that individual’s Permit invalid, and shall constitute grounds for the Commissioner to deny Permittee access to State Trust Lands, as well as for the Commissioner and/or CDTC to revoke that individual’s Permit.

4. The Commissioner may cancel a Permit at any time in her sole discretion by providing oral notice to Permittee or by mailing written notice to Permittee at the address listed in this Application. A Permit shall not alter or restrict the Commissioner’s authority to cancel a Permit for violation of these Terms and Conditions, applicable State Land Office rules and requirements, or otherwise as provided by law.

5. A Permit does not create an exclusive right of use of any portion of State Trust Lands by Permittees. Permittees shall not interfere with other valid uses of State Trust Land by other users. The Commissioner reserves the right to use any State Trust Lands to which this Permit affords access for any other lawful purpose, including, but not limited to, the right to grant other rights of way and easements.

6. A Permit does not authorize Permittees to enter private lands or lands managed by any governmental entity other than the State Land Office. It is Permittees’ responsibility to secure rights to access any such lands.

7. Permittees may wish to access State Trust Lands, other than the lands through which the Trail crosses, for recreation. Not all State Trust Lands are open for recreational use. Permittees are responsible for determining that the lands they wish to access are open to recreational access by the public, and may do so by consulting the State Land Office’s website, nmstatelands.org, or by contacting the State Land Office’s outdoor recreation program by telephone at (505) 827-5760.

8. Permittees shall not place or interfere with any improvements on State Trust Lands. Disturbing, dislodging, damaging, defacing or destroying any improvement, fixture or object placed or located in or on the land, including fence-cutting, is prohibited.

9. Permittees shall protect natural and cultural resources on State Trust Lands, and specifically shall not disturb, damage, destroy or remove historical, archaeological, paleontological or cultural sites, and shall not disturb, injure, destroy or remove wildlife.

10. Permittees shall stay on, or in the immediate vicinity of, the Trail while traversing State Trust Lands. Permittees shall not use or disturb stock tanks, pumps or other private water sources on State Trust Lands to obtain water.

11. A Permit does not afford access to State Trust Lands by motorized vehicle. A Permit affords a Permittee access by non-motorized means only.

12. Permittees must carry a copy of their Permit while present on State Trust Lands and must be able to produce the Permit upon request.