A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GENERAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER, THE STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNING BOARDS OF THE POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF INSTALLING WATER-WISE LANDSCAPING ON ALL STATE PROPERTY.

WHEREAS, New Mexico is facing severe water shortages and legal and economic consequences associated with limited water supplies; and

WHEREAS, water conservation is state policy, wasting of water is a crime and water users throughout the state are being asked to conserve water and pay higher costs for its overuse; and

WHEREAS, there are many environmental benefits to be gained by using native vegetation in landscape planting; and

WHEREAS, extensive attention is being paid to the significant water savings that can result from water-wise landscaping; and

WHEREAS, the state's water utility expenses might be reduced and its natural environment enhanced by the retrofitting and installation of water-wise native landscape vegetation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the general services department, the office of the state engineer, the state highway and transportation department and the governing boards of the post-secondary institutions be requested to cooperate in assessing the feasibility of installing water-wise native vegetation on all state property and report their findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2003; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of general services, the state engineer, the state highway and transportation department and the governing boards of the post-secondary institutions.