NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is
intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the
legislature. The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume
responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for
other purposes.
The most recent FIR
version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative
Website. The Adobe PDF version includes
all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be
obtained from the LFC in
|
SPONSOR: |
Stewart |
DATE TYPED: |
|
HB |
HJM 4 |
||
|
SHORT TITLE: |
Impact of Surface Water Impoundments |
SB |
|
||||
|
|
ANALYST: |
Chabot |
|||||
APPROPRIATION
|
Appropriation
Contained |
Estimated
Additional Impact |
Recurring or
Non-Rec |
Fund Affected |
||
|
FY03 |
FY04 |
FY03 |
FY04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$180.0 |
Non-Recurring |
General
Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Parenthesis
( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Responses
Received From
Office
of the State Engineer (OSE)
Department
of Agriculture
SUMMARY
Synopsis
of Bill
House Joint Memorial 4
requests OSE and NMSU to cooperate in determining the impact of unregulated
surface water impoundments on perennial streams and aquifers by establishing a
task force to study the impacts. As a
minimum, the task force will consist of a representative of the Acequia
Association, Cattle Growers’ Association, Soil and Water Conservation
Districts, Farm Bureau, Livestock Bureau and the Northern New Mexico Stockman’s
Association. It resolves that a
hydrologic study be conducted by NMSU at least in the Mora and Lincoln county
watersheds, that impairment by impoundment in different hydrologic settings be
determined, that data be collected for use in future determination and that
administrative and enforcement guidelines be developed as a result of the
study.
Significant
Issues
The State Engineer is currently revising their Rules
and Regulations for Governing the Appropriation and Use of Surface Waters of
the State of New Mexico. These rules
and regulations have been drafted and will be scheduled for public
hearings. Any study requested by this
memorial needs to be considered by the task force. They also estimate that 2 FTE’s will be
required to perform the research and analysis required by the memorial.
NMSHTD is concerned that restrictions placed
upon surface water impoundments that are used during road construction could
require trucking water considerable distance increasing costs. In addition, design changes may be required
for drainage systems to handle increased discharge due to loss of the water
impoundments.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
No appropriation is
contained in this joint memorial. However,
there will be a significant cost incurred by undertaking the effort required by
the memorial. OSE estimates that $180.0
will be required for staff expenses to complete the tasks requested by this
memorial.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
OSE recommends
delaying any actions related to this memorial until the new rules and regulations
are promulgated.