SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 55

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Mary Kay Papen

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO APPOINT A SUBCOMMITTEE ON EXTREME DROUGHT AND WET WATER USAGE.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has been in an extreme long-term drought;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to appoint a subcommittee on extreme drought and wet water usage; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the subcommittee be requested to meet at least three times for two days each in Socorro, Elephant Butte and Las Cruces; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the subcommittee invite input and assistance from the Elephant Butte irrigation district, the water resources research institute at New Mexico state university, the New Mexico department of agriculture, the interstate stream commission, the office of the state engineer and other sources of expertise on the drought; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the subcommittee consider options for recommended actions by the state, including augmentation of water supplies, construction of water storage infrastructure, development of drought management plans, support for development of improved drought management analysis tools, changes to the tax code to improve drought management decision-making and assistance to agricultural producers for feed augmentation during droughts; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.

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