[1] NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

 

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F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Gubbels

 

DATE TYPED:

01/31/02

 

HB

HJM 68

 

SHORT TITLE:

La Semilla Environmental Education Facility

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Valenzuela

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

 

 

 

 

$0.1 Minimal

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

LFC files

State Land Office (SLO)

Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

This memorial expresses the Legislature’s support for the creation and establishment of La Semilla environmental education and liquid waste training facility, located on the Mesa del Sol state trust land near Albuquerque.  The purpose of the La Semilla facility is to educate and train on-site liquid waste system designers and installers, contractors, public officials and the public regarding the design, installation and maintenance of on-site liquid waste systems.  The memorial would allow the University of New Mexico, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and New Mexico State University to use the facility to conduct research and demonstrate new and advanced technologies in on-site liquid waste treatment, wastewater treatment, wastewater reuse and energy and resource management. 

 

     Significant Issues

 

Groundwater contamination from liquid waste, primarily from poorly installed or malfunctioning septic systems, is a serious problem in New Mexico. The Legislature, two years ago, passed legislation allowing the Department of Environment to promulgate liquid waste treatment rules to address the problem. The Environmental Improvement Board passed these rules in November 2001.

A significant part of the problem is that consumers and even contractors are not adequately informed on the proper operation or installation of these systems.  In fact, during the debate before the EIB, some contractors testified that in New Mexico, there is no certification requirement placed on contractors specific to septic systems.

 

This memorial would facilitate the establishment of an environmental education and liquid waste training facility at La Semilla.  A facility such as that envisioned at La Semilla has significant potential to assist in ensuring the proper design, testing, installation, and maintenance of on-site liquid waste systems throughout New Mexico. 

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

Enactment of this joint memorial would have a minor administrative and fiscal impact on the agencies involved.

 

MFV/ar

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