N.M. Stat. § 47-6-11.4
Plat approval; proof of adequate water supply on lands
from which irrigation water rights have been severed.
A. Before approving the final plat for a subdivision of land from which irrigation
water rights appurtenant to the land have been severed, the board of county
commissioners shall require that the subdivider provide proof of a service commitment
from a water provider and an opinion from the state engineer that the subdivider can
fulfill the requirements of Paragraph (1) of Subsection F of Section 47-6-11 NMSA 1978
or acquire sufficient water rights through a permit issued pursuant to Section 72-5-1, 72-
5-23, 72-5-24, 72-12-3 or 72-12-7 NMSA 1978 for subdivision water use. In acting on
the permit application, the state engineer shall determine whether the amount of water
permitted is sufficient in quantity to fulfill the maximum annual water requirements of the
subdivision, including water for indoor and outdoor domestic uses. The board of county
commissioners shall not approve the final plat unless the state engineer has so issued a
permit for the subdivision water use or the subdivider has provided proof of a service
commitment from a water provider and the state engineer has provided an opinion that
the subdivider can fulfill the requirements of Paragraph (1) of Subsection F of Section
47-6-11 NMSA 1978. The board of county commissioners shall not approve the final
plat based on the use of water from any permit issued pursuant to Section 72-12-1.1
NMSA 1978.
B. The provisions of this section shall only apply to land from which irrigation water
rights that are appurtenant to that land are severed after the effective date of this
section.