HOUSE BILL 661

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Don Tripp

AN ACT

RELATING TO SPECIAL DISTRICTS; PROVIDING AUTHORITY TO THE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH A WATERSHED COORDINATOR POSITION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 73-20-31 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 175, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

     "73-20-31. POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT AND COMMISSION.--

          A. The supervising officer of any state agency or post-secondary educational institution shall, within the limitations of his budget and the demands of his agency or institution, assign staff or personnel, render special reports and undertake surveys or studies pertaining to soil and water conservation for the commission and the department as requested.

          B. The department, with the advice of the commission, shall:

                (1) assist districts in the development of district soil and water conservation programs and, from such programs, develop a soil and water conservation program for the state;

                (2) provide information for supervisors concerning the experience and activities of all districts and facilitate the exchange of experience and advice among districts;

                (3) promote cooperation between districts and, by advice and consultation, assist in the coordination of district programs;

                (4) secure and maintain the cooperation and assistance of state and federal agencies and seek to secure and maintain the cooperation and assistance of national, state and local organizations and groups interested or active in natural resources conservation and development;

                (5) disseminate information throughout the state concerning district activities and programs; and

                (6) encourage and, within budget limitations, render assistance to district activities and facilitate and encourage the formation of new districts in areas where district organization is desirable.

          C. The commission may:

                (1) advise the department and the board of regents concerning any matter that in its opinion has a significant impact on or otherwise substantially affects soil and water conservation; [and]

                (2) promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of the Soil and Water Conservation District Act; and

               (3) establish a position for and appoint a watershed coordinator who will be responsible for:

                     (a) cooperative agreements between the state and the federal agencies, political subdivisions or Indian nations, tribes or pueblos;

                     (b) coordination of landowner agreements through the local soil and water conservation district;

                     (c) establishment of a clearinghouse for statewide watershed information in cooperation with the water resources research institute at New Mexico state university;

                     (d) use of the range improvement task force as the technical advisory group for watershed projects;

                     (e) increasing watershed education programs through the cooperative extension service and the soil and water conservation districts;

                     (f) expanding opportunities for biomass use and development; and

                     (g) continuing expansion of job development opportunities for watershed restoration projects."

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