In 2023, federal rollbacks stripped Clean Water Act protections from 95% of New Mexico’s streams and up to 88% of its wetlands. New Mexico responded by passing Senate Bill 21 to create its own surface water permitting program. Now, a rulemaking will take place June 8–18 before the state Water Quality Control Commission to decide how SB 21 is implemented. Without strong rules, our water will remain at risk along with the communities, fish, and wildlife that depend on it.
Western Resource Advocates is representing Audubon, Trout Unlimited, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. The Western Environmental Law Center is representing Amigos Bravos, the New Mexico Acequia Association, and NM Wild. The groups will advocate for robust rules that protect the full breadth of New Mexico’s surface water, restore protections lost through federal rollbacks, ensure robust public participation, and protect wildlife.
Details: June 8–18 from 9 AM to 5 PM. Public comment at 1 PM daily.
- In person: NM State Capitol, Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe. The hearing will now occur in several rooms around the Roundhouse depending on the day:
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- Monday 6/8 – Room 307
- Tues-Thurs 6/9-6/11 – Room 309
- Friday 6/12– Room 307
- The week of 6/15-6/18 – Room 322
- Virtually: https://nmed-oit.webex.com/wbxmjs/joinservice/sites/nmed-oit/meeting/download/705f1604d77d4ce8bfb4c44c14697e2d?MTID=me02ef4ae5b96453c008f74681b141034
- Visit the state Events Calendar for more information.
Why it Matters:
- Clean water sustains a growing $50 billion annual agriculture industry led by chile, pecans, onions, and fruit.
- Water helps sustain New Mexico’s outdoor recreation economy, generating hundreds of millions of dollars every year.
- Centuries-old acequia systems require clean water to keep New Mexico’s culture alive. The health and wellbeing of our families rely on clean water.
- Over 70% of New Mexico’s birds are dependent on surface waters and wetlands.
- New Mexico’s waters face numerous threats. Climate change is making our state drier every year. With higher temperatures and worsening aridification, our limited water sources need to be protected.
- Industrial growth from mining, oil and gas exploration, and data centers are all increasing demands on our water sources while presenting serious pollution dangers.
Contacts:
Tannis Fox, Western Environmental Law Center, 505-629-0732, fox@westernlaw.org
Rachel Conn, Amigos Bravos, 575-770-8327, rconn@amigosbravos.org
Tricia Snyder, New Mexico Wild, 575-636-0625, tricia@nmwild.org
Allie Ruckman, Western Resource Advocates, 983-203-1103, allie.ruckman@westernresources.org
Itzayana Banda, The Semilla Project, 720-532-3293, itzayana@semillastrategies.org
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