RELATING TO WATER; PROVIDING PROTECTION FOR WATER RIGHTS CONSERVED AS A RESULT OF PUTTING WATER-SAVING TECHNIQUES INTO PRACTICE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
Section 1. Section 72-5-18 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1907, Chapter 49, Section 43, as amended) is amended to read:
"72-5-18. WATER ALLOWANCE.--In the issuance of permits
to appropriate water for irrigation or in the adjudication of
the rights to the use of water for that purpose, the amount allowed shall be based upon beneficial use and in accordance
with good agricultural practices and the amount allowed shall
not exceed such amount. The state engineer shall permit the
amount allowed to be diverted at a rate consistent with good
agricultural practices and that will result in the most
effective use of available water in order to prevent waste.
Improved irrigation methods resulting in the conservation of
water shall not affect an owner's water rights."