REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO CONSIDER FEDERAL FINANCING OF A RESERVOIR IN THE EL RITO AREA.

WHEREAS, precipitation during the winter months in northern New Mexico flows into rivers and streams before farmers can effectively divert the runoff to be used to grow crops; and

WHEREAS, irrigation in the El Rito area is dependent on surface water, and reservoirs offer the potential for conserving surface water for later use during the irrigation season; and

WHEREAS, most of the land that discharges surface water that flows near El Rito is federally owned land;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the congressional delegation be requested to consider federal financing of a reservoir in the El Rito area to supply farmers on the acequia with irrigation water that otherwise drains into the El Rito river, the Rio Chama and the Rio Grande and is unavailable for local farmers; and

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