Source: https://citizenscienceguide.com/new-mexico
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 10:41:01+00:00

Document:
In April 2018, the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) held its first annual Bio Blitz citizen science event at the Dripping Springs Natural Area, part of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. See BLM Outdoor Events for April, U.S. Dep’t of the Interior, https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-outdoor-events-april (last visited Feb. 7, 2019). “With the help of 114 citizen scientists, the BLM recorded over 130 species of plants, lizards, moths, butterflies, bats, birds and small mammals.” Daniella Barraza, BioBlitz Joins BLM, Citizen Scientists in New Mexico Desert, The Wildlife Soc’y (June 18, 2018), http://wildlife.org/bioblitz-joins-blm-citizen-scientists-in-new-mexico-desert/.
The Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program engages elementary and high school students in collecting data on the state of the Bosque Ecosystem, along the Rio Grande River. See History of BEMP, Bosque Envtl.Monitoring Program, http://bemp.org/history/ (last visited Feb. 7, 2019). The Program currently has 31 sites spread over 270 miles which collect over 1 million data points per year. See id. The program receives funding from both federal and state environmental agencies like EPA and the New Mexico State Parks Division. See Funding Support, Envtl.Monitoring Program, http://bemp.org/funding/ (last visited Feb. 7, 2019).
N.M. Stat. Ann. § 17-3-29; N.M. Admin. Code 19.35.6; Scientific and Educational Use of Wildlife, Special Use Permits and Information, N.M. Dep’t of Game & Fish, http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/enforcement/special-use-permits/ (last visited Feb. 7, 2019).
(2) a person is in possession of a landowner license given to him by the owner or person in control of the land that grants access to that particular private land for the purpose of taking any game animals, birds or fish by hunting or fishing.
B. Criminal trespass also consists of knowingly entering or remaining upon the unposted lands of another knowing that such consent to enter or remain is denied or withdrawn by the owner or occupant thereof. Notice of no consent to enter shall be deemed sufficient notice to the public and evidence to the courts, by the posting of the property at all vehicular access entry ways.” N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-14-1 (emphasis added); see also id. § 30-14-1.1.
The Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) has prohibited the flying of drones within 400 feet of Los Alamos National Laboratory, pursuant to its authority to support national security and defense under 14 C.F.R. § 99.7. See National Security UAS Flight Restrictions, Fed. Aviation Admin., http://uas-faa.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/0270b9d8a5d34217856cc03aaf833309_0?uiTab=table (last visited Feb. 7, 2019).
“It is unlawful, at any time, to pursue, harass, harry, drive or rally any protected species by any means [including the use of drones] except as allowed while legally hunting….” N.M. Admin. Code 19.31.10.11(D); see also Be Aware of What’s Legal and What Isn’t, General Hunting Rules, N.M. Game & Fish, http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/hunting/general-rules/ (last visited Feb. 7, 2019).
“Stalking consists of knowingly pursuing a pattern of conduct, without lawful authority, directed at a specific individual when the person intends that the pattern of conduct would place the individual in reasonable apprehension of death, bodily harm, sexual assault, confinement or restraint of the individual or another individual.” N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-3A-3(A).
Although our research is incomplete, these provisions could be construed to allow the use of information collected by citizens.
“Whenever, on the basis of any information, a constituent agency determines that a person has violated or is violating a requirement, regulation or water quality standard . . . the constituent agency may” take enforcement action. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 74-6-10(A) (emphasis added).
“When, on the basis of any information, the secretary or the director determines that a person has violated or is violating a requirement or prohibition of the Air Quality Control Act, a regulation promulgated pursuant to that act or a condition of a permit issued under that act, the secretary or the director may” bring an enforcement action. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 74-2-12(A) (emphasis added).
Requires certification that “there is good ground to support” the claim. N.M. R. Civ. P. 1-011(A).
“To satisfy the requirement of authenticating or identifying an item of evidence, the proponent must produce evidence sufficient to support a finding that the item is what the proponent claims it is.” N.M. R. Evid. 11-901(A).
New Mexico Rule of Evidence 702 and Daubert standard (scientific validity). See State v. Alberico, 861 P.2d 192, 202-04 (N.M. 1993). The Alberico-Daubert standard does not apply to non-scientific expert testimony. See State v. Torres, 976 P.2d 20, 34 (N.M. 1999) (“[A]pplication of the Daubert factors is unwarranted in cases where expert testimony is based solely upon experience or training.”) (quoting Compton v. Subaru of Am., Inc., 82 F.3d 1513, 1518 (10th Cir. 1996)).
Please note that this discussion is not moderated by the Emmett Environmental Law & Policy Clinic.
The manual is not intended to operate as a substitute for legal representation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. This manual generally describes the legal framework within which citizen collection of data and environmental monitoring may occur. It identifies legal issues citizens should be aware of and offers general suggestions. However, if you have specific questions or you encounter legal threats in the course of conducting a citizen science project, you should consult a lawyer with expertise in the geographic locale in which you are working. Please understand that laws vary from state to state and from locale to locale. Laws also frequently change so it is important to educate yourself about the current laws in the area in which you plan to work. This manual will help get you started. Neither the Clinic nor any of the authors assume any liability for actions taken (or not taken) by any party in reliance on this manual.
This manual is a project of the Emmett Environmental Law & Policy Clinic at Harvard Law School under the direction of Clinical Professor Wendy B. Jacobs. This manual was researched and prepared by Clinic students, including Curtis Powell (’18) and Phillip Godfrey (’17), together with the Clinic’s lawyers Wendy Jacobs, Shaun Goho, and Aladdine Joroff. Additional Clinic students, in particular Laura Bloomer (’19), Nolan Brickwood (’20), Elizabeth Carr (’20), Joseph Cherney (’20), Amy Chyao (’19), Gabriel Doble (’20), Erik Federman (’18), Samuel Feigenbaum (’20), Sara Fitzpatrick (’20), Alexander Kontopoulos (’20), Esther Labrado (‘17), Ellen Park (’17), Hannah Perls (’20), Dylan Redor (’20), Gloria Scott (‘17), Michael Shafer (’19) Michael Soressi (’20), Francis Sturges (’20), Harish Vemuri (’20), and Basil Williams (’19), performed research and helped prepare the appendices to this manual. Lynne Dzubow, the Clinic’s Legal Fellow, assisted in research, compiling updates, and editing the manual for this latest edition. Questions or comments on this manual can be directed to [email protected].
Copyright ©2019 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved to the Emmett Environmental Law & Policy Clinic at Harvard Law School.

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