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SM 23

TAOS WATER IMPOUNDMENT STUDY

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bobby Gonzales

OSE to study feasibility and benefits of a Taos County water impoundment, focusing on wildfire response, structure protection, and water rights, with intergovernmental collaboratio

action postponed indefinitely
#memorials #other #water&waterrights(acequias #irrigation #rivers)
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Bill Summary · SM 23

Senate Memorial 23 (SM 23) – Taos Water Impoundment Study

Overview

SM 23 is a memorial introduced on March 12, 2025, requesting the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) to lead a coordinated study in Taos County to assess the benefits, costs, and feasibility of constructing a new water impoundment. The memorial urges collaboration with state, local, and tribal government agencies and seeks to evaluate potential uses related to wildfire suppression, structure protection, and water rights concerns. The action was postponed indefinitely on June 3, 2025.

Purpose and Intent

  • Convene a study led by OSE to evaluate whether a new water impoundment in Taos County is feasible and beneficial.
  • Assess potential applications such as wildfire suppression water supply, protection of structures, and relevant water rights considerations.
  • Require OSE to collaborate with state, local, and tribal governments during the study.
  • Report findings to the appropriate interim legislative committee.

Key Provisions

  • The memorial designates OSE to coordinate the Taos water impoundment study and to work with other government entities.
  • The study scope includes analyzing benefits, costs, and feasibility of construction, plus potential uses for wildfire management, structure protection, and water rights.
  • No enforcement provisions, funding authorization, or construction mandate are included; the memorial is a request for study and consideration.
  • The memorial directs a formal report of findings to an interim committee.

Affected Parties

  • Office of the State Engineer (lead agency)
  • Taos County communities and water users
  • State, local, and tribal government agencies involved in water resources, wildfire management, and land use
  • Stakeholders concerned with acequias, irrigation, rivers, and water rights

Fiscal and Operational Implications

  • The fiscal note indicates no net fiscal impact; OSE could complete the requested study using existing resources.
  • No appropriation or funding authorization is included in the memorial.
  • If enacted (as a memorial), it would typically not create binding obligations but would outline a study framework for OSE.

Timeline and Status

  • Introduced: March 12, 2025
  • Legislative Action: Sent to Senate Rules Committee (March 12, 2025)
  • Status: Action postponed indefinitely (June 3, 2025)
  • Effective Date: The document notes that memorials do not have a standard effective date; if considered as a bill, it would typically become effective 90 days after adjournment, but as a memorial, it serves as a formal request rather than law.

Context and Rationale

  • Emphasizes increasing wildfire risk and anticipated water supply challenges due to climate trends (declining snowpack and precipitation).
  • Cites a 2022 multi-agency study projecting long-term reductions in water resources, underscoring the need to examine new water storage options.
  • Frames the study as part of ongoing state efforts to protect water resources and bolster wildfire response capabilities.

Summary

SM 23 seeks a targeted, largely information-gathering effort by OSE to evaluate a potential Taos County water impoundment. It prioritizes collaboration with various government entities and focuses on whether such a project could support wildfire response, infrastructure protection, and water rights considerations. The measure is currently stalled with no binding fiscal or policy changes anticipated, effectively keeping the decision at the study and reporting stage pending future legislative action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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