HOUSE MEMORIAL 84

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph L. Sanchez

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER FOR THE FUTURE OF RURAL COMMUNITIES IN TAOS COUNTY AND SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND ACTION PLAN ENABLING THE DIVESTMENT OF FORMER QUESTA MINE WATER RIGHTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

 

     WHEREAS, the former Questa mine possesses adjudicated water rights; and

     WHEREAS, the former Questa mine permanently ceased mining operations in 2014; and

     WHEREAS, the communities of Taos county need access to water rights for their economic development and poverty reduction efforts; and

     WHEREAS, the Questa economic development fund identified water resources as a key component of economic transition, diversification and poverty reduction in its 2015 economic development plan; and

     WHEREAS, the former Questa mine and the Questa economic development fund have worked in partnership since the completion of the 2015 economic development plan to transfer Questa mine water rights for the benefit of the community; and

     WHEREAS, the Questa economic development fund subsequently initiated project development in the areas of affordable housing, light manufacturing, local sustainable agriculture, food security and renewable energy; and

     WHEREAS, the above-listed projects require access to local water resources; and

     WHEREAS, the office of the state engineer has the authority to work in partnership with the Questa economic development fund and the former Questa mine to develop a stakeholder engagement and action plan that supports continued environmental remediation and reclamation of the former mine site while enabling the former mine to concurrently divest of water rights for the benefit of local communities;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the importance of wise water management and administration to promote economic development and poverty reduction in rural communities be affirmed, while noting that a lack of capacity and resources in state agencies may have hampered their ability to fulfill the agencies' potential to support these efforts; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the development of the stakeholder engagement and action plan that supports environmental remediation and reclamation of the former mine site while concurrently enabling the divestment of former Questa mine water rights for the benefit of local communities be deemed beneficial; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the stakeholder engagement and action plan be a collaborative partnership between the state engineer and representatives of the former Questa mine and the Questa economic development fund; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the state engineer, the interstate stream commission, representatives of the former Questa mine, the mayor of the village of Questa, the Questa economic development fund and the board of county commissioners of Taos county.

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