A JOINT MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE STATE
ENGINEER AND NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY TO COOPERATE IN THE CLARIFICATION OF
THE IMPACT OF UNREGULATED SURFACE WATER IMPOUNDMENTS ON PERENNIAL STREAMS AND
AQUIFERS.
WHEREAS, New Mexico is
experiencing the adverse effects of drought and limited water supplies; and
WHEREAS, these adverse effects
in the form of water shortages hurt the quality of life of New Mexico residents
and disproportionately impact community acequias; and
WHEREAS, the harmful impacts of
water shortages on community acequias can be greatly minimized or eliminated
through diligent and persistent efforts to prevent impairment of water rights
and waste of water through oversight of unregulated surface water impoundments
where appropriate; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico first
identified the problem at its twenty-eighth town hall meeting and recommended
development of legislation to address current loopholes in the permitting
process, including clarifying the purpose of impounding water for unregulated
use; and
WHEREAS, unregulated surface
water impoundments of all types are reducing the surface water supply available
for community acequias; and
WHEREAS, there is no statutory
limit on the number of surface water impoundments that can be built on a stream
or single piece of property; and
WHEREAS, unregulated surface
water impoundments deplete water through evaporation; and
WHEREAS, individuals acquiring
lands in the headwaters of streams are using exceptions in the current laws to
impound water without getting a permit; and
WHEREAS, it is extremely costly
and difficult for water rights owners to challenge unregulated surface water
impoundments; and
WHEREAS, there are many legally
exempt surface water impoundments that prevent erosion and provide flood
control; and
WHEREAS,
there are federal and state funded projects authorizing legally exempt surface
water impoundments that have appropriate oversight and do not impair water
rights; and
WHEREAS, there are appropriate
surface water impoundments supplied by community acequias with landowner water
rights; and
WHEREAS, there are legally
exempt surface water impoundments on farms and ranches in New Mexico that are
used for livestock watering;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the office of the state
engineer and New Mexico state university be requested to establish a task force
including the New Mexico acequia association, the New Mexico cattle growers'
association, the New Mexico association of soil and water conservation
districts, the New Mexico farm and livestock bureau and the northern New Mexico
stockman's association to evaluate the problems resulting from unregulated
surface water impoundments and recommend possible legislative action to the
2004 legislature; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a
hydrologic study be conducted by New Mexico state university to evaluate
possible adverse impacts from unregulated surface water impoundments in at
least the Mora county and Lincoln county area watersheds, including the impacts
on perennial streams, aquifers and evaporation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
level of impairment to existing water rights be evaluated from several types of
unregulated surface water impoundments in different hydrologic settings; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that
scientific data and analysis be developed to help administer water rights
permits by the office of the state engineer related to surface water
impoundments; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that
administrative and enforcement guidelines be developed by the office of the
state engineer relating to surface water impoundments; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that
copies of this joint memorial be transmitted to the state engineer and the
board of regents of New Mexico state university.