Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance

committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports

if they are used for other purposes.

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are a vailable on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).

Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not. Previously issued FIRs and

attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Griego

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2-6-06

HB

SHORT TITLE Taos County Aquifer Mapping Project

SB 569

ANALYST Hadwiger

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY06

FY07

$75.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to SB570, SB323.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)

Office of the State Engineer (OSE)

New Mexico Department of Environment (NMED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 569 appropriates $75 thousand from the general fund to the Local Government Divi-

sion (LGD) of the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) in FY07 to develop and

implement a Taos County aquifer mapping project.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $75 thousand contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general

fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY07 would revert to

the general fund.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

DFA explained that SB569, with it companion bill SB570, are phases III and I, respectively of a

Senate Bill 569 – Page 2

multi-phased project which, when completed, will create a ground water protection program that

monitors existing wells in Taos County for aquifer depletion and water quality. The funding in

SB569 will begin Phase III of the project—the underground mapping of the geology and hy-

drology of the Taos Plateau and the high mountain valleys where the majority of Taos' unincor-

porated communities are located. The funds will pay for the services of a hydrologist, a geolo-

gist, field technician, professional services contracts, map reproduction and digitization, and wa-

ter sampling.

OSE added that aquifer mapping is always useful to improve the understanding of aquifer limits

and characteristics. This is especially the case for counties such as Taos that contain complex

conditions. A number of related studies have been completed, or are in the process of being

completed for the area. The U.S. Geological Survey is presently conducting a geophysical survey

along the mountain front in cooperation with the NM Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

(BGMR), OSE, and others. Geological mapping has also been performed by the BGMR in the

area recently. These studies will help map and characterize the aquifers for portions of Taos

County. This bill may be necessary to complete on-going work or to perform work in areas

where mapping information is lacking.

The OSE would appreciate the opportunity to assist in the coordination of activities because the

project has the potential to improve water resource administration. The OSE has recently com-

pleted a groundwater flow model for the area with others. The modelers can provide input on the

existing data gaps. Addressing these gaps will improve administration and management. Other

parties should also be made of aware of the program for potential cooperation. The OSE can as-

sist in this coordination.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

NMED noted that SB569 does not have significant performance implications for agency pro-

grams. However, mapping of ground water aquifers would allow for the regional assessment of

the aquifers and provide additional information that NMED could use in the issue of discharge

permits and abatement of ground water pollution in Taos County. Thus, SB569 could result in

long-term improvements in ground water quality in Taos County.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The grant will be administered through DFA which already has the staff and the knowledge to

easily fund and monitor this project.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

Relates to SB570, SB323.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

NMED noted that SB569 appropriates the funds to LGD/DFA for development and implementa-

tion of a ground water mapping project in Taos County. However, LGD/DFA is not a science-

based organization that would have the technical expertise to develop and implement a ground

water mapping project. It would be more appropriate for technical scientific experts such as ge-

ologists and hydrologists at the Bureau of Geology associated with the New Mexico Institute of

Senate Bill 569 – Page 3

Mining and Technology (NM Tech) to develop and implement a ground water mapping project.

AMENDMENTS

OSE suggested that, on page 1, line 19, after the period, insert “All work funded through this

appropriation shall be coordinated with the Office of the State Engineer.”

DH/yr