0001|                          A JOINT MEMORIAL
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0002| REQUESTING STATE AGENCIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND SPECIAL JURISDICTIONS
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0003| TO USE THEIR AUTHORITIES TO COOPERATIVELY PRESERVE THE STATE'S RIVER
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0004| ECOSYSTEMS.
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0005| 
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0006|      WHEREAS, the first New Mexicans found magnificent rivers teeming
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0007| with life; and
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0008|      WHEREAS, New Mexico's rivers enabled us to achieve the natural
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0009| and economic wealth we now enjoy; and
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0010|      WHEREAS, New Mexico's rivers remain a vital resource for drinking
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0011| water, food production, recreation for citizens and visitors, a high
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0012| quality of life and the spiritual renewal of our citizens; and
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0013|      WHEREAS, rivers have undergone profound changes as a result of
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0014| our development and are now threatened by desiccation, toxic
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0015| pollution, siltation and salinity;
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0016|      WHEREAS, new municipal diversions and changes of use may further
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0017| deplete the flow of our rivers and with it threaten the many
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0018| environmental values of rivers; and
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0019|      WHEREAS, healthy and diverse wildlife resources are compatible
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0020| with a vibrant and sustainable economy;
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0021|      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
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0022| NEW MEXICO that all state agencies, counties, municipalities and
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0023| special jurisdictions cooperate to devise strategies to protect and
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0024| enhance the quality and quantity of water in our streams; and
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0025|      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of environment be
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0001| requested to identify sources of pollution and implement viable
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0002| methods to abate water pollution; and
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0003|      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of game and fish be
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0004| requested to preserve the quality of ecosystems that nongame species
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0005| as well as game species depend upon and to rely upon voluntary
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0006| mechanisms when private lands are involved; and
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0007|      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state engineer be requested to
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0008| use water quality under its public welfare criteria in issuing permits
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0009| for diversion of water; and
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0010|      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that counties, municipalities and special
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0011| jurisdictions consider dedicating a portion of their water transfers
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0012| to the preservation of stream flows to maintain and restore aquatic
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0013| and riparian ecosystems and protect New Mexico's natural heritage; and
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0014|      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
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0015| transmitted to the governor, the secretary of environment, the
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0016| director of the department of game and fish and the state
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0017| engineer.                                                       
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