44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING THE INTERSTATE STREAM COMMISSION AND THE STATE ENGINEER TO WORK TOGETHER AND COOPERATIVELY WITH OTHERS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE STATE WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY.

WHEREAS, water is vital to New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the naturally occurring supplies of water in New Mexico are essentially fully appropriated, yet new uses continue to arise; and

WHEREAS, market interest in interstate and intrastate transfers of water is growing, and the United States supreme court has declared water to be an article of commerce; and

WHEREAS, sustained drought would substantially reduce supplies; and

WHEREAS, a regional water planning process in New Mexico for determining future water needs of New Mexico is now well advanced, and an initial appropriation has been made in support of a state water planning process; and

WHEREAS, the state engineer is charged with the general supervision of waters of the state and of the measurement, appropriation and distribution of water; and

WHEREAS, the interstate stream commission is charged with investigating, developing, conserving and protecting New Mexico's waters and stream systems, interstate or otherwise;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the interstate stream commission and the state engineer work together and in cooperation with other state agencies and entities to develop and implement a comprehensive management strategy for ensuring adequate and sustainable supplies of water for all New Mexicans; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the strategy should be soundly based upon a thorough analysis of water supply and demand within the state and a fundamental review of the water management practices, policies and institutions that must ensure those supplies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the strategy should reflect the natural and multicultural heritage of New Mexico and the aspirations of its citizens as identified through the regional water planning process and through public hearings held around the state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the strategy should direct and guide the formulation of the state water plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interstate stream commission and the state engineer present their findings and recommendations for a state water plan to the New Mexico legislative council by December 15, 2000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the interstate stream commission, the state engineer and the New Mexico legislative council.