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 the requirements outlined in this section. However, if the capacity exceeds ten acre-feet, the applicant must comply with additional requirements for filing applications for water appropriation as specified in other sections of the law.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that the provisions will only apply to impoundments constructed for watering livestock after the effective date of the act, which is set for July 1, 2025. It also defines "livestock" in accordance with existing statutes and emphasizes that impoundments for purposes other than watering livestock, 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