Middle Rio Grande Compact
The bill calls for coordinated efforts between the state engineer and the interstate stream commission to administer water rights, ensuring compliance with compact obligations. This coordination is vital to manage consumptive water uses effectively, especially as climate change exacerbates challenges related to water availability. The resolution advocates for the development of a negotiated water shortage sharing agreement among stakeholders, striving to balance various interests, including those of tribal rights and water users. By proposing an inclusive and transparent process, HM60 seeks to unite different parties in addressing the pressing water management issues within the region.
House Memorial 60 (HM60) is a resolution introduced in the 2023 New Mexico Legislature emphasizing the critical need for effective management and administration of the Middle Rio Grande Compact. The memorial acknowledges that New Mexico has a water delivery obligation under the compact which necessitates delivering a specified quantity of water to the Elephant Butte Reservoir each year. The resolution underscores the state's currently accrued water delivery debit, which has grown significantly and poses risks of litigation against the state for non-compliance. Urgent action is called to address these deficits as the state’s accrued debits approach legal violation thresholds.
Points of contention surrounding HM60 likely stem from the complexities of water rights management and the involvement of various stakeholders, including state agencies, tribal entities, and local landowners. The memorial's request for an active role from the state engineer and interstate stream commission raises questions about the authority and capacity of these entities to enforce and manage water resources effectively. Additionally, the emphasis on compliance with compact obligations suggests potential friction between competing water interests, particularly in a context where water scarcity is an ongoing concern. The resolution’s implications for local versus state control over water resources may also provoke debate among different interest groups.