A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING A REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY FOR THE SANTA FE AREA AND REQUESTING THE STATE ENGINEER TO WORK WITH THE SANTA FE REGIONAL PLANNING AUTHORITY.

WHEREAS, water is critical for the economy and well-being of the citizens of Santa Fe and the immediate surroundings; and

WHEREAS, the Santa Fe watershed is in danger of losing its water storage capacity; and

WHEREAS, the city of Santa Fe and county residents near the city are dependent on the same sources for their water supply; and

WHEREAS, governmental jurisdictions are not now geographically defined according to water resource areas, and jurisdictional problems exacerbate water utility supply and management dilemmas, such as watershed management and drinking water services; and

WHEREAS, current water management and delivery responsibilities in Santa Fe are divided among many local, state and federal agencies and other political subdivisions; and

WHEREAS, a regional water authority created for the mission of water utility management and delivery with

powers vested in it to determine policies for the

acquisition and allocation of water rights and how water management decisions and utility functions for delivery of wet water would be more efficient and politically

accountable for resolving currently insurmountable issues; and

WHEREAS, other metropolitan areas have established regional water authorities to coordinate water utility management and delivery functions; and

WHEREAS, for example, the Denver water board provides water to the metropolitan Denver area, thereby, minimizing inter-jurisdictional conflict that can hamper the mission of water utility management agencies;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the appropriate committee to evaluate the feasibility of creating a regional water authority for the Santa Fe area to supersede all other local authorities regarding water utility management; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the office of the state engineer be requested to review issues regarding a regional water authority and to work with the Santa Fe regional planning authority on the proposal; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial

be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico legislative council.