New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 19 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE
Chapter 25 - ADMINISTRATION AND USE OF WATER - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Part 10 - REVIEW AND ELIGIBILITY OF PROPOSED WATER PROJECTS
Section 19.25.10.6 - OBJECTIVES

A. Section 72-4A-5, NMSA 1978 provides that the New Mexico water trust board is required to adopt rules governing terms and conditions of grants and loans recommended by the board for appropriation by the state legislature from the water project fund giving priority to projects that have urgent needs, that have been identified for implementation of a completed regional water plan that is accepted by the interstate stream commission and that have matching contributions from federal or local funding sources; and authorizes qualifying water projects to the authority that are for: (1) storage, conveyance or delivery of water to end users; (2) implementation of federal Endangered Species Act of 1973; (3) restoration and management of watersheds; (4) flood prevention; and (5) conservation, recycling, treatment or reuse of water as provided by law. Additionally, the board shall create a drought strike team to coordinate responses to emergency water shortages caused by drought conditions. Section 72-4A-9, NMSA 1978, creates the "water project fund" within the New Mexico Finance Authority.

B. Section 72-4A-5, NMSA 1978, provides that the board shall give priority to qualifying water projects that (i) have been identified as being urgent to meet the needs of a regional water planning area that has had a completed regional water plan accepted by the interstate stream commission; (ii) have matching contributions from federal or local funding sources available and (iii) have obtained all requisite state and federal permits and authorizations necessary to initiate the qualifying water project. The purpose of these rules is to set forth the intent of the board and to outline, in general terms, the criteria and procedures to be used in evaluating and funding qualifying water projects.

C. Section 72-4A-6, NMSA 1978, provides that the authority shall provide support for the water trust board, develop application procedures and forms for qualifying entities to apply for grants and loans from the water project fund; and make loans or grants to qualifying entities for qualifying water projects authorized by the state legislature, provided that the service area for the project is wholly within the boundaries of the state or the project is an interstate project that directly benefits New Mexico.

D. Section 72-4A-9, NMSA 1978, provides that the authority may adopt separate procedures and rules for administration of the water project fund and recover from the water project fund costs of administering the water project fund and originating grants and loans.