EMERGENCY WATER FOR PORTALES

This Senate Joint Memorial requests the governor to direct state agencies to urgently coordinate converting agricultural water resources to municipal use for Portales and Roosevelt County. It addresses critical aquifer depletion (65% loss since 2000) and current drought restrictions by proposing to utilize an existing pipeline infrastructure to supplement drinking water from a nearby dairy's agricultural water rights. The memorial specifically references a July 2024 agreement with a dairy operator adjacent to the pipeline to facilitate this near-term water conversion. It does not create new law or funding but seeks emergency coordination to address immediate water shortages affecting approximately 20,000 residents.