HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 1

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Paul C. Bandy

FOR THE

WATER AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY TO REPORT RESULTS OF RESEARCH ON WATER CONSERVATION METHODS THAT REDUCE CONSUMPTIVE USE.

     WHEREAS, the legislature has received testimony on the need for water conservation; and

     WHEREAS, agriculture is the single largest consumer of water; and

     WHEREAS, Senate Bill 461 was negotiated and enacted in 2007 to provide incentives for irrigators to conserve more water; and

     WHEREAS, implementation of Senate Bill 461 by the office of the state engineer has not resulted in water savings as intended; and

     WHEREAS, the need to encourage conservation and respect private property rights are inherently compatible; and

     WHEREAS, existing state policy works contrary to that goal; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico state university has continuing research programs to test various water practices and their impacts on consumptive use efficiencies;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that New Mexico state university be requested to report to the legislature the results of research on water conservation methods that reduce consumptive use along with any recommendations for legislation to the appropriate interm committee by December 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the president of New Mexico state university.

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