New Mexico Statutes Chapter 72. Water Law § 72-1-2.2. Legislative findings; declaration of purpose

A. The legislature hereby finds and declares that there exists a potential water shortage crisis in the Pecos River basin as a result of the requirements and obligations of the Pecos River Compact and the United States supreme court's amended decree in Texas v. New Mexico, No. 65 original as well as the recent droughts and the demands on this water system.

B. The legislature hereby finds and declares that this shortage of water and the state's obligation to Texas pursuant to the compact and the decree is a statewide problem affecting all the citizens of the state. The state is obligated under the terms of the decree to fulfill an obligation to repay Texas in water for any shortages of water owed to Texas by the state of New Mexico.

C. The legislature hereby finds and declares that the state's obligations extend not only to Texas but also to the citizens of New Mexico and their future generations to ensure adequate water supply. If unfulfilled, the obligations of the state to Texas could cost the state millions of dollars in lost revenues, employment and economic productivity.

D. The legislature further finds and declares that to avoid the catastrophic consequences of failing to address immediately the problem of the Pecos river water shortage, the interstate stream commission is to purchase, and retire and place in a state water conservation program administered by the interstate stream commission, adequate water rights over a period of years to increase the flow of water in the Pecos River and diminish the impact of man-made depletions of the stream flow and therefore meet the state's future obligations under the Pecos River Compact and the United States supreme court's amended decree in Texas v. New Mexico, No. 65 original, pursuant to the appropriation and the conditions set forth in Section 2 of this act.