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| SPONSOR: | Wilson | DATE TYPED: | 01/24/01 | HB | |||
| SHORT TITLE: | Implement Regional Water Plans | SB | 81 | ||||
| ANALYST: | Dotson | ||||||
| Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
| FY01 | FY02 | FY01 | FY02 | ||
| $ 500.0 | See Narrative | Recurring | General Fund | ||
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Duplicates/Relates to Appropriation in The General Appropriation Act HB113, 114 and SB 80.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
State Engineer/Interstate Steam Commission.
SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
SB 81 appropriates $500,00.0 from the general fund to the Interstate Stream Commission. The funds are to provide a maximum of 75% of the costs for implementing the completed regional water plans approved by the Interstate Stream Commission.
Significant Issues
According to the State Engineer, New Mexico's growth and desert climate require active management of water resources. Regional water plans are needed to implement programs and alternatives to actively manage the regions's water resources.
PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS
According to the State Engineer, active water resource management needs state funding assistance. Many regional water plan alternatives include establishing programs to collect data for appropriate management of the state's water resources and the long term stability of water resources in a region. Funding is needed for well monitoring programs, stream flow measurement activities, water shed management, and planning and construction works. Funds to implement completed water plans will be an additional incentive for regions to complete their plans.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The appropriation of $500,000 is a recurring expense to the general fund in FY02, FY03 and FY04. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY04 shall revert to the general fund.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
According to the State Engineer, no new FTE is required.
CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP
HB 114 is a companion bill. HB 113 and SB 80 appropriate $1.5 million from the general fund to the Interstate Stream Commission to complete the regional water planning process.
OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
According to the State Engineer, if this bill is not enacted completed regional water plans will not be implemented and regions with uncompleted plans will not have the incentive of funding for their plans.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
Are the matching funds required for the implementation in place? If not, what obstacles need to be overcome to secure these funds.
PD/ar:prr