HOUSE MEMORIAL 43

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Paul C. Bandy

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING CONGRESS TO APPROVE THE NAVAJO WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATED BY NEW MEXICO AND THE NAVAJO NATION.

     WHEREAS, resolution of the Navajo water rights claims is to the advantage of the state of New Mexico, the Navajo Nation and the United States; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico interstate stream commission and the Navajo Nation negotiated a proposed settlement, which has been submitted to congress; and

     WHEREAS, the proposed settlement calls for increased diversions to Navajo lands near Shiprock; and

     WHEREAS, the priority date of these diversions, 1858, is significantly older than non-Navajo rights; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is subject to frequent drought, creating water shortages that would be borne by non-Navajos; and

     WHEREAS, Navajo lake has extensive storage capacity that could be used to offset these shortages;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that congress be requested to approve the proposed Navajo water rights settlement as negotiated by New Mexico and the Navajo Nation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as part of the settlement, congress be requested to support provisions for storage of thirty thousand acre-feet of water in Navajo lake to be used by non-Navajo irrigators in times of severe drought and water shortages; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico congressional delegation, the Navajo Nation and the governor.

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