The Strategic Water Supply Act establishes a framework for enhancing New Mexico's fresh water resources through the development and management of brackish water. The Act creates the Strategic Water Supply Program, which allows the Department of Environment and the Office of the State Engineer to enter into contracts and award grants for projects that utilize treated brackish water. To qualify for funding, projects must comply with various legal standards, demonstrate economic development benefits, and include a community engagement plan. The Act also mandates that the agency publish community benefits plans and notify the state investment council about new contracts or grants.

Additionally, the Act creates the Strategic Water Supply Program Fund, which will be administered by the Department of Environment and will consist of various financial contributions. The bill also amends existing law regarding the notice of intention to drill wells, requiring individuals to file a notice with the state engineer and publish it in a local newspaper. This notice must include details about the well's location, depth, purpose, and estimated water usage, and drilling cannot commence until 30 days after the last publication and the state engineer's approval.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 7-1-2, 7-1-8.8, 70-2-12, 70-13-1, 72-12-26
AA substitute: 7-1-2, 7-1-8.8, 70-2-12, 70-13-1, 72-12-26
EN substitute: 72-12-26
Final Version: 72-12-26