73-14-49: Declaration of policy.

It is recognized that in conservancy districts heretofore or hereafter organized under New Mexico law that certain land therein has or may have vested irrigation water rights. While fully recognizing such rights, nevertheless, in the proper operation of such districts, and especially in time of droughts, it is essential that the districts have the specific and unquestioned power to distribute the water remaining available for irrigation and to properly allocate the same for the purposes most essential for the welfare and economy of landowners within the district. To this end, the legislature deems it of manifest importance that conservancy districts have the unquestioned power to make such distribution and allocation of irrigation waters. While such power is present in existing laws, the method of enforcement is doubtful. To avoid any question in the future, this act [73-14-49 to 73-14-53 NMSA 1978] is enacted, with the aforesaid legislative intent and policy in mind.