SENATE MEMORIAL 83

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

INTRODUCED BY

Peter Wirth

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE ENGINEER TO ESTABLISH DOMESTIC WELL IMPACT AREAS TO LIMIT THE IMPACT OF UNCONTROLLED DRILLING OF DOMESTIC WELLS IN VULNERABLE AREAS OF THE STATE.

     WHEREAS, the continuing approval of new domestic wells places at risk the long-term viability of the state's water supplies, the rights of existing users and the state's ability to meet interstate stream compact obligations in the future; and

     WHEREAS, the state engineer adopted domestic wells rules and regulations (19.27.5 NMAC) in 2006 to limit the impacts of uncontrolled drilling of domestic wells in vulnerable areas denominated as "domestic well management areas"; and

     WHEREAS, the state engineer has yet to designate any area of the state as a domestic well management area;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state engineer be requested to designate domestic well management areas in those areas of the state where the cumulative impact of domestic wells is most likely to impair the rights of existing water users; and

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

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