The bill amends Section 72-9-3 of the New Mexico Statutes to specify that only stockmen or stock owners who wish to impound surface waters for the purpose of watering livestock are permitted to apply to the state engineer. The amendment clarifies that if the capacity of the proposed impoundment is ten acre-feet or less, the applicant must meet certain requirements outlined in the section. For impoundments exceeding ten acre-feet, applicants must adhere to additional regulations for water appropriation. The bill also stipulates that applicants must provide proof of legal entitlement to place livestock on the land where the water will be impounded.

Furthermore, the bill emphasizes that the provisions apply exclusively to impoundments constructed for livestock watering after the effective date of the act, which is set for July 1, 2025. It defines "livestock" in accordance with existing statutes and clarifies that impoundments for purposes other than livestock watering, such as fishing or recreation, will require separate permits. The state engineer is tasked with evaluating the intended use of the impoundment based on livestock water consumption needs and regional conditions.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 72-9-3