HOUSE MEMORIAL 129

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

INTRODUCED BY

Nick L. Salazar

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO APPOINT AN INTERIM LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ACEQUIAS.

     WHEREAS, acequias are part of New Mexico's cultural heritage and are fundamental to New Mexico's legacy of water governance and agricultural traditions; and

     WHEREAS, acequias have managed water for the cultivation of diverse crops for centuries in New Mexico and continue to be vital to the state's future in dealing with water scarcity and food security; and

     WHEREAS, acequias face tremendous challenges in responding to unprecedented demands for water rights, including operating as local governments, rehabilitating aging infrastructure, engaging young people in agriculture and revitalizing rural agricultural economies; and

     WHEREAS, the legislative process offers an opportunity to recognize the significance of acequias to New Mexico, to address challenges facing acequias through public policy and to engage acequia communities throughout the state;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to appoint an interim legislative subcommittee on acequias, composed of members from the interim legislative water and natural resources committee, the interim legislative rural and economic development committee, the legislative education study committee and the legislative finance committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the subcommittee on acequias meet during the interim, coordinate an agenda with the New Mexico acequia association and present policy recommendations to the appropriate interim legislative committees by December 1, 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council and to the New Mexico acequia association.

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