New Mexico Statutes Chapter 75. Miscellaneous Natural Resource Matters § 75-10-4. Department; powers and duties

(1) after consultation with landowners, conservationists and other interested persons, adopt and promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of the Natural Heritage Conservation Act;

(2) enter into contracts;

(3) enter into joint powers agreements pursuant to the Joint Powers Agreements Act  1 to carry out the provisions of the Natural Heritage Conservation Act;

(4) make grants to qualified entities for conservation projects;

(5) apply for and receive in the name of the department, any public or private funds available to the department to carry out the purposes of the Natural Heritage Conservation Act;

(6) acquire conservation or agricultural easements by itself or with a conservation entity or qualified entity; and

(7) do all other things necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of the Natural Heritage Conservation Act.

(1) establish a competitive application process for grants from the fund; and

(2) establish criteria and priorities for funding conservation projects.