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HOUSE MEMORIAL

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Jeff Steinborn

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE INTERSTATE STREAM COMMISSION TO INSTITUTE

PROJECTS, STUDIES AND AN INVESTIGATION TO REALIZE AND DOCUMENT

METHODS OF CONSERVING AGRICULTURAL WATER WHILE INCREASING AND

SECURING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVING AND PROTECTING

THE ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

WHEREAS, the state has a long history of significant

beneficial agricultural water use; and

WHEREAS, agricultural water uses comprise from at least

sixty to eighty percent of the water use throughout the state;

and

WHEREAS, competing demands for development, the

environment and current and traditional agricultural uses

require aggressive and effective steps to conserve water to

meet New Mexico’s diverse needs; and

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WHEREAS, the state benefits greatly from preservation of

the traditional acequia system; and

WHEREAS, agricultural producers and the acequias will

benefit greatly from improved methods of agricultural water

use; and

WHEREAS, without conservation of water, the economy,

lifestyle, environment and agricultural traditions of the state

of New Mexico are in jeopardy;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the interstate

stream commission and office of the state engineer, in

conjunction with the New Mexico department of agriculture and

agricultural producers, undertake those studies necessary to

document methods and practices that can result in less use of

agricultural water while maintaining, increasing or improving

agricultural production and economics; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interstate stream

commission, the state engineer and the New Mexico department of

agriculture report their findings to the appropriate committee

of the legislature appointed by the New Mexico legislative

council to review this issue; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the chair of the interstate stream commission,

the state engineer and the director of the New Mexico

department of agriculture.