NM Wildlife Commission Left Without Enough Members

A key state commission that guides New Mexico’s wildlife agency and oversees a multimillion-dollar budget that includes conservation, hunting and fishing programs won’t be able to conduct any business until the governor fills at least one of four outstanding vacancies.

Game Commission Chair Deanna Archuleta submitted her resignation Monday, leaving the seven-member panel short of a quorum. Her announcement that she needed to devote more time to her job with a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying firm came less than two weeks after taking over as chair.

It marks the latest shakeup for the commission during Lujan Grisham’s tenure. The previous chairwoman resigned in October, and two previous commissioners were ousted after running afoul of the governor over a stream access fight that was ultimately settled by the New Mexico Supreme Court.

The governor’s office confirmed Thursday that it was in the process of making appointments and the commission would have a quorum before a scheduled meeting in April.