Front Page  paperboy  text  water

December 6, 2002

State Drought Task Force Urges Preservation Methods

   
   
The Associated Press
    SANTA FE   —   The Governor's Drought Task Force on Friday released recommendations focusing on ways to preserve water for municipalities, irrigators and wildlife.
    The recommendations were released as the second volume to the state's drought plan, published in May. The recommendations cover everything from protecting watersheds to conservation.
    "New Mexico is still suffering from the effects of serious drought, and unless there is a greater-than-average snowfall this winter, the drought is likely to worsen in the near future," said Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Beatriz Rivera, head of the task force. "Anticipating possible shortfalls and planning for New Mexico's long-term water future has never been more essential than it is now."
    The task force is seeking comments from New Mexicans. The report can be requested from Rivera's department in Santa Fe.
    The report recommended the state form a permanent drought strike team with experts in financing, water project construction, water rights, conservation and water quality.
    Drought in New Mexico this year forced forests to close in the early part of the summer. Several communities enacted water restrictions   —   restaurants in Las Vegas even served customers on paper plates to save washing dishes. Espanola halted new construction for a time, and the Navajo Nation officials advised livestock owners to sell livestock so the animals wouldn't starve.
    Gov. Gary Johnson declared a drought emergency in May, freeing more than $90 million from the state's contingency fund for such things as municipal water supply projects, firefighting and for hauling water to livestock, fisheries and wildlife.
    Water amounts are measured from October of one year through September of the next. The water year that ended this September was the 17th driest in New Mexico in the past 108 years, despite the fact September itself was much wetter than average.
    The drought task force is recommending water conservation and management be a requirement for any funds for water systems.
    It also recommends that metering be required for all water users and that communities be required to develop and enforce water conservation ordinances, including a conservation-oriented rate structure.
    The task force also suggested the Water Trust Board, the Environment Department or the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department have a drought policy and monitoring office with a staff of three to four people with technical, legal and policy skills.
    Its recommendations for watersheds and forests include implementing fire restrictions; focusing forest restoration projects on high-priority watersheds that protect communities and drinking water; and promoting small-diameter forest product industries to reduce the cost of thinning work and strengthen rural economies.
    The task force said the state should eradicate nonnative vegetation such as water-hungry salt cedars and restore areas along the Pecos River and Rio Grande.
    Recommendations also touch on conflicts between water for endangered species and other users.
    The task force said water managers should be aware of the impact of reduced flows during drought on endangered species, and should anticipate lawsuits seeking alternative sources of water to keep rivers and streams flowing for endangered species.
    The group said that because of the impact of drought on wildlife, the state should be prepared to adjust hunting seasons and curtail fish-stocking programs. The state also should examine ways to reduce competitive land uses during drought and promote habitat on private lands.
    The task force is made up of the secretaries of Agriculture; Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources; and Public Safety; the state engineer and a member of the governor's office.