Emergency; change of point of diversion; procedure.

A. An appropriator of water may change the place of diversion, storage or use of water upon application to and approval of the state engineer without following the requirements of Section 72-5-23 NMSA 1978 relating to publication of notice if an emergency exists in which the delay caused by following the provisions of Section 72-5- 23 NMSA 1978 would result in crop loss or other serious economic loss to the appropriator and if the state engineer determines that no foreseeable detriment exists to rights of others having valid and existing rights to the use of the waters of the stream system. An application under this section shall be in the form and manner prescribed by the state engineer and shall contain specific facts supporting the existence of the emergency. B. An applicant for approval of a change of place of diversion, storage or use of water under this section shall, within thirty days of an approval granted under this section by the state engineer, comply with the requirements of Section 72-5-23 NMSA 1978. C. The emergency approval provided under this section shall continue in effect only until the state engineer enters his final decision in accordance with Section 72-5-24 NMSA 1978.