[1] NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

 

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F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Lyons

 

DATE TYPED:

01/22/02

 

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE:

Review Eastern Plains Ground Water Management

 

SB

SJM 7

 

 

ANALYST:

Chabot

 

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

 

 

 

 

NFI

 

 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

LFC Files

Department of Agriculture

Department of Environment (NMED)

Office of the State Engineer (OSE)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Joint Memorial

 

This joint memorial requests The Legislative Council to direct the appropriate committee to review ground water management issues on the eastern plains, and that NMED and OSE cooperate with the appropriate committee by submitting testimony and relevant documentation on the supply and quality of ground water in the eastern plains.

 

     Significant Issues

 

The source of ground water in the eastern plains of New Mexico is the Ogallala aquifer which is being depleted of water.  This depletion has both water quantity and quality implications for New Mexico.  A March 1999 OSE report states that “concentrated pumping in Curry and Roosevelt counties in New Mexico as well as Bailey county in Texas will de-water large portions…of the basin as early as the year 2010.”

 

NMED reports of 116 ground water quality protection permits for facilities in eastern New Mexico, 31 had measurable ground water contamination.  This number is expected to increase as poorer quality water is drawn from the aquifer.  OSE indicates that the federal government is studying the Ogallala aquifer and the state may be able use information obtained from their study.  OSE also indicates that availability of water in Eastern New Mexico is influenced by well diversion in Texas over which we have little control.  Texas water law allows pumping without regard to beneficial use as is required in New Mexico.  The Department of Agriculture is concerned that if another water source is not developed for eastern New Mexico, agriculture production in the region will suffer.

 

 

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The joint memorial has no direct fiscal implications; however, recommendations coming from the study may result in the need for additional state expenditures in the future.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

State agencies participating in the review will need to allocate needed personal and other resources to do a thorough review.

 

TECHNICAL ISSUES

 

The memorial does not state when a final report is to be provided to the Legislature by the appointed interim committee.

 

GAC/ar/njw

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