REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO CONDUCT CONSENSUS PLANNING ON WATER BANKING LEGISLATION.

WHEREAS, the surface waters of nearly all stream systems of the state are fully appropriated and their underlying aquifers are being rapidly depleted; and

WHEREAS, continued growth of the population in New Mexico will place more demands on these already limited water supplies; and

WHEREAS, traditional agricultural water users are being threatened by increasing pressure to sell their water rights to municipal and industrial users; and

WHEREAS, there are no incentives in current New Mexico law for agricultural users to invest in the technology necessary to reduce consumptive water use; and

WHEREAS, current law does not provide the flexibility necessary to share water among different users for different beneficial uses; and

WHEREAS, instituting a consensus water banking plan may result in better management of the waters of the state while addressing concerns of traditional agricultural users;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be asked to establish a task force to conduct consensus planning on water banking and to report its findings to the appropriate interim committee by November 1, 2000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force employ the western governors' association's enlibra negotiation process and that representatives of state political subdivisions, federal agencies, Indian nations, tribes and pueblos and public interest organizations concerned with the future of water use in New Mexico be invited to participate in the process; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico legislative council.