A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF HATCH CHILE AND REQUESTING ADEQUATE WATER RIGHTS TO SUSTAIN THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF HATCH CHILES.

WHEREAS, continued water availability in New Mexico is a serious issue; and

WHEREAS, efforts are being made to ensure that every segment of the state, from endangered species to municipalities, is considered as future water supplies are divided; and

WHEREAS, agricultural needs must also be considered and are of vital importance to the state of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, New Mexicans' love of chile is demonstrated by the official state question, "Red or Green?"; and

WHEREAS, Hatch is the undisputed chile capital of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, sufficient water must be allocated to sustain this agricultural product, which is unique to New Mexico, and to ensure continued growth of the chile industry, which is so vital to the traditional culinary fare and the economy of the state of New Mexico;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the importance of Hatch chile and its dependence on adequate water rights to sustain New Mexico's chile addiction be recognized; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the office of the state engineer.