Senate Memorial 23 requests the Office of the State Engineer to conduct a study on the benefits, costs, and feasibility of constructing an earthen water impoundment in Taos County specifically for wildfire suppression and structure protection. The memorial highlights the increasing severity of wildfire seasons in New Mexico, particularly in areas overlapping with the Carson National Forest and near sovereign Indian pueblo communities. It emphasizes the need for cross-jurisdictional collaboration among local, state, and tribal agencies to ensure that first responders have access to adequate water supplies during wildfire emergencies.

The study will also assess the availability and cost of the necessary water rights to fill the proposed impoundment. Following the study, the Office of the State Engineer is requested to report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate interim committee that focuses on water and natural resources. Additionally, copies of the memorial will be sent to relevant stakeholders, including the Office of the State Engineer, the Taos County Board of County Commissioners, and the governors of the Pueblo of Taos and the Pueblo of Picuris, as well as the mayors of municipalities in Taos County.