Bill will provide state funds for the purchase of water for entertainment and cultural use – AOL

Santa Fe, NM (KRQE) – As New Mexico continues to cope with land, some legislators are looking for ways to make sure that the state will not dry. A bill is aimed at providing funds for the purchase of water and use for entertainment and cultural reasons. The strategic water reserve was established in 2005 and gave power to buy water rights for various reasons.

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The Democrat sponsored Bill wants to expand what this money can be used for. “As you know, many of our lakes and lakes and rivers dry up in the summer when people want to go to state parks when they want to go out and do outdoors, so that is the purpose of it,” said Senator Elizabeth Stephaniex, (D-Cerrillos).

The strategic water reserve is administered by the New Mexico International Flow Commission, which buys water rights in the state for effort to protect the water. It has been used to assist the state to settle lawsuits or to pay farmers not to use water during sushi. Now Senator Elizabeth Stephanix (D-San Miguel, Santa Fe, Torrance & Valencia) is sponsoring a bill that will give the reserve $ 15 million and allow it to be used for more purposes.

This would include cultural uses such as Native American Pueblos and tribes that need access to water for blessing or traditions. She said this could also be used to protect the opportunities for recreation as well as to protect habitats. “The root species, this may be trout in the Pekos River, may be some other area in the condition where if the water dries, these endangered species have disappeared. They die or just don’t spawn, “said Senator Stephanix.

Sen.Stefanics said the bill sets restrictions on how much money could be used at a time so that the fund could also win interest for future water purchases. The bill has not yet been heard in every committee.

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