HOUSE MEMORIAL 120

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Brian F. Egolf

A MEMORIAL

URGING THE NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO ACTIVELY WORK WITH THE CITY OF SANTA FE BUCKMAN DIRECT DIVERSION BOARD AND THE LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SANTA FE'S DRINKING WATER.

     WHEREAS, the proposed Buckman direct diversion project is aimed at providing a more sustainable supply of drinking water for Santa Fe; and

     WHEREAS, as long as two years ago, concerned area residents sounded an alarm about potential water contamination from migration of nuclear waste through or near canyons that feed into the Buckman diversion project site; and

     WHEREAS, in November 2007, the Buckman direct diversion board communicated six specific concerns to the national nuclear security administration, and asked for a commitment to ensure the safety of the drinking water supply of Santa Fe; and

     WHEREAS, staff from the Buckman direct diversion board has been working for more than a year with regional representatives of the national nuclear security administration and the Los Alamos national laboratory on a memorandum of understanding to identify action steps to address these issues; and

     WHEREAS, in December 2008, representatives from the federal agency indicated their intent to discontinue negotiations regarding the memorandum of understanding; and

     WHEREAS, significant time has been spent on the technical issues of environmental monitoring that are necessary to ensure a safe water supply for the residents of Santa Fe and its environs; and

     WHEREAS, time is of the essence, as construction of the diversion project is underway, and is expected to be completed by the spring of 2011;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the national nuclear security administration of the United States department of energy be urged to actively work with the city of Santa Fe Buckman direct diversion board and the Los Alamos national laboratory to ensure the safety of Santa Fe's drinking water; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico congressional delegation join the New Mexico house of representatives to urge the national nuclear security administration of the department of energy to engage in this work; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the regional representatives of the national nuclear security administration immediately resume negotiations regarding the memorandum of understanding so that a resolution can be reached to address these critical issues; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the chair of the Buckman direct diversion board, the Los Alamos office of the national nuclear safety administration of the United States department of energy and the members of the New Mexico congressional delegation.

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