SENATE RULES COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE MEMORIAL 64

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE ENGINEER TO INVESTIGATE IMPAIRMENT OF HISTORICAL WATER RIGHTS OF THE SPRING DITCH IN TAOS AND TAKE ANY APPROPRIATE ACTION TO GUARANTEE DELIVERY OF WATER TO DITCH PARCIANTES.

     WHEREAS, the town of Taos has approved developments that have resulted in construction on the Spring ditch's water source and the point of diversion, thereby impairing delivery of water to rightful water rights owners and parciantes on the Spring ditch; and

     WHEREAS, the course of an ancient acequia has been altered by the town of Taos; and

     WHEREAS, permits have been issued allowing construction on lateral ditches;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state engineer be requested to investigate impairment of historical water rights of the Spring ditch by the town of Taos and take any appropriate action to guarantee delivery of water to ditch parciantes; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the state engineer report to the appropriate committee of the legislature by August 1, 2008 the results of the investigation and actions taken to remedy the impairment; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the state engineer.

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