Robert Celt
New Member
State Rep. Bill McCamley, a Mesilla Park Democrat, is concerned that the rains and heavy snow over the past year have led people throughout the state to forget the harsh effects of drought.
"We get one year of good rain, and suddenly everyone is saying we don't have a (water) problem," McCamley said. "(If we) don't deal with it now, we will have a disaster."
Considering drought a "temporary condition" is dangerous for New Mexico because it undermines climate and tree-ring science that show limited water is the reality, he said.
McCamley is introducing a bill that would allocate $400,000 to the Water Resources Research Institute at New Mexico State University for a project studying how water use is measured. He believes this research could enable a farmer to understand how much water a given crop uses and therefore improve the irrigation system.
The agricultural industry -- which consumes 80 percent of the state's water -- can be more efficient, McCamley said.
McCamley, along with state Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque, also is sponsoring a bill to legalize and study hemp crops. A previous bill introduced by McSorley was passed by both houses of the Legislature last session but vetoed by the governor. McCamley is pushing the measure again because he believes hemp is a lucrative, water-efficient and untapped resource for New Mexico. He said the U.S. imports $600 million worth of hemp from Canada for products ranging from bath oils to speaker components, and New Mexico's economy should be benefiting from that market share.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: New Mexico: McCamley Wants To Ensure Water Still A Priority
Author: Rebecca Moss
Contact: Las Cruces Sun-News
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Las Cruces Sun-News
"We get one year of good rain, and suddenly everyone is saying we don't have a (water) problem," McCamley said. "(If we) don't deal with it now, we will have a disaster."
Considering drought a "temporary condition" is dangerous for New Mexico because it undermines climate and tree-ring science that show limited water is the reality, he said.
McCamley is introducing a bill that would allocate $400,000 to the Water Resources Research Institute at New Mexico State University for a project studying how water use is measured. He believes this research could enable a farmer to understand how much water a given crop uses and therefore improve the irrigation system.
The agricultural industry -- which consumes 80 percent of the state's water -- can be more efficient, McCamley said.
McCamley, along with state Sen. Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque, also is sponsoring a bill to legalize and study hemp crops. A previous bill introduced by McSorley was passed by both houses of the Legislature last session but vetoed by the governor. McCamley is pushing the measure again because he believes hemp is a lucrative, water-efficient and untapped resource for New Mexico. He said the U.S. imports $600 million worth of hemp from Canada for products ranging from bath oils to speaker components, and New Mexico's economy should be benefiting from that market share.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: New Mexico: McCamley Wants To Ensure Water Still A Priority
Author: Rebecca Moss
Contact: Las Cruces Sun-News
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Las Cruces Sun-News
