A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE INTERSTATE STREAM COMMISSION WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE NEW MEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING A WATER PIPELINE FROM THE SALT FLATS OF OTERO COUNTY TO SERVE URBAN DEVELOPMENT NEEDS IN PLACE OF CONVERSION OF AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION WATER RIGHTS.

WHEREAS, water is a critical resource in New Mexico and the state's economy cannot afford to sacrifice the second major economic driver, agriculture, for equally vital development needs in urban areas; and

WHEREAS, significant amounts of quality water are available from underground sources in the salt flats area of Otero county; and

WHEREAS, a pipeline to carry water may be more economically feasible than the millions of dollars spent so far and anticipated to be spent in conversion of agricultural irrigation rights to meet compact delivery obligations and the domestic needs of urban areas such as Las Cruces, Carlsbad, Alamogordo and Roswell;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the interstate stream commission with the cooperation of the New Mexico finance authority be requested to study the feasibility of constructing a water transmission pipeline from the salt flats of Otero county to needy urban areas in lieu of conversion of irrigation water rights and expensive litigation and construction of infrastructure to transport surface water from the Pecos river or the Rio Grande to those recipients; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the interstate stream commission and the New Mexico finance authority report their findings and recommendations to the legislature by November 1, 2003; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the interstate stream commission and the New Mexico finance authority.