Within sixty days from the time this act [Chapter 72, Article 17 NMSA 1978] goes into effect, a written, signed and acknowledged remonstrance against the acquiring of the flood control system provided for in Section 19 [72-17-19 NMSA 1978] herein may be filed with the board hereinafter created by the owners of property of the value of at least thirty percent of the value of the property herein provided to be taxed, based upon the assessed valuation of said property for general taxes for the year preceding the year of making such remonstrance. If there is real estate in the authority that has not been separately assessed by the taxing authorities, the board shall value such real estate for the purpose of such remonstrance on the same basis of valuation as other real estate similarly situated that has been separately assessed. The board shall, as soon as possible, examine such remonstrance, if made, and canvass and pass upon and determine its sufficiency, and its action thereon shall be final. If the petition is found to contain the names of the owners of property of fifty percent of the total valuation of said real estate in the authority and is found to be sufficient, then the flood control system herein provided for shall not be acquired; provided, that no action under the terms of this act shall be delayed during the period of sixty days, except that no bonds shall be issued during said time.
NMS § 72-17-7