HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 54

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

INTRODUCED BY

Ray Begaye

A JOINT MEMORIAL

SUPPORTING THE SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN IN NEW MEXICO NAVAJO NATION WATER RIGHTS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT.

     WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation have negotiated the San Juan River Basin in New Mexico Navajo Nation Water Rights Settlement Agreement, referred to in this memorial as the settlement agreement, that quantifies the Navajo Nation's rights to use water of the San Juan river basin in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, on December 29, 2004, the Navajo Nation council approved the settlement agreement and on January 12, 2005, the interstate stream commission passed a resolution approving the settlement agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the state engineer, in his statutory duty to guide the adjudication of all waters of the state of New Mexico, approves of the settlement agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the settlement agreement fits within New Mexico's apportionment under the Upper Colorado River Basin Compact and provides benefits to the state of New Mexico and the Navajo Nation, and provides substantial protections to other parties to the San Juan river adjudication; and

     WHEREAS, federal legislation will be necessary to authorize the secretary of the interior to execute the settlement agreement, and significant federal appropriations will be necessary to fully implement the settlement agreement, including funding for the proposed Navajo-Gallup water supply project to supply needed water for municipal and domestic uses in northwestern New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it express its support of the San Juan River Basin in New Mexico Navajo Nation Water Rights Settlement Agreement and request the members of New Mexico's congressional delegation to introduce the legislation necessary for the United States congress to approve and fully fund the federal portions of the settlement agreement; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to New Mexico's congressional delegation, the governor, the attorney general of New Mexico, the president of the Navajo Nation, the intergovernmental relations committee of the Navajo Nation council, the president of the Jicarilla Apache tribe, the city council of Gallup, the mayor of Gallup, the city council of Farmington and the mayor of Farmington.

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