A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF WATER TANKS AT THE GRAY WOLF RANCH IN CHACON AND REPORT THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY TO THE INTERIM WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE.

WHEREAS, the communities of Holman, Chacon and Cleveland in Mora county are suffering from a water shortage; and

WHEREAS, La Acequia del Medio de Holman, Acequia de Los Romeros and other community acequias have been dry for over two years; and

WHEREAS, the Gray Wolf ranch in Chacon has contributed to the water shortage by constructing dams that block water flow into the Agua Negra river and, ultimately, into the Mora river; and

WHEREAS, the water shortage has adversely impacted fish and livestock; and

WHEREAS, the water shortage has adversely impacted farming, ruining hay, alfalfa and other crops;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the office of the state engineer be requested to conduct a study to determine whether water tanks at the Gray Wolf ranch in Chacon exceed the state allocation of water per stock tank and that said water tanks do not impound live springs constituting the headwaters of the Agua Negra and Mora rivers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state engineer report the findings of the study to the appropriate committee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the state engineer.