The bill amends the Forest and Watershed Restoration Act to enhance the eligibility of projects for funding from the Forest Land Protection Revolving Fund. It introduces new definitions, including "buffer," which refers to areas treated to reduce wildfire fuel and act as barriers between properties, and "high-risk area," which denotes regions with a high probability of wildfire spread. The bill expands the definition of "project" to include initiatives that create or maintain buffers in and around wildland-urban interfaces, alongside existing projects aimed at forest and watershed restoration, water source protection, and wildfire risk reduction.

Additionally, the bill outlines the criteria for project funding eligibility, emphasizing the need for public benefit and alignment with state-approved plans. It specifies that projects targeting high-risk areas or those that create or maintain buffers in wildland-urban interfaces will be prioritized for funding. The amendments aim to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risks, and support economic development through the utilization of small-diameter trees and wood biomass, thereby fostering a comprehensive approach to forest and watershed management in New Mexico.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 68-4-2, 68-4-5
Final Version: 68-4-2, 68-4-5