HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 1

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

INTRODUCED BY

Martin R. Zamora and William "Bill" R. Rehm

 

 

 

FOR THE WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

 

A JOINT MEMORIAL

URGING NEW MEXICO'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE IMPACT OF DROUGHT WHEN SETTING FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL POLICY.

 

     WHEREAS, the United States congress enacts federal agricultural policy through passage of the "farm bill"; and

     WHEREAS, the farm bill governs nationwide programs related to farming, food and nutrition and rural communities; and

     WHEREAS, the agricultural industry in New Mexico has annual cash receipts of nearly three billion five hundred million dollars ($3,500,000,000) and supports more than twenty-three thousand jobs in the state; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has been in a state of drought for the past twenty years, and dry conditions are predicted to continue into the future; and

     WHEREAS, water agencies serving domestic, irrigation and industrial needs across the state are contending with the reality of a decreased water supply due to persistent drought; and

     WHEREAS, farming and ranching depend on a consistent water supply to support crops and livestock; and

     WHEREAS, prolonged drought, decreased snow pack and decreased precipitation affect the flow of rivers and the availability of a consistent water supply for farming and ranching; and

     WHEREAS, the depletion of aquifers has affected ranching practices;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that New Mexico's congressional delegation be urged to take into consideration the impact of drought when setting federal agricultural policy; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of New Mexico's congressional delegation.

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