Legislators and advocates alike proclaimed the legislative session of 2023 the “Year of Water”. This was not an accident, this was hard work on the part of the scientific community, state agencies, non-profit advocates and philanthropic foundations studying water and working with key legislators to reform water policies in our state. A legislative task force appointed by former Chair Patty Lundstrom of the Appropriations Committee was added and 9 legislators were designated to work with the Water Policy and Infrastructure Task Force to study how we could protect, conserve, and sustain water resources in the state of New Mexico. At the end of a long year’s study and meetings, a report was agreed upon and 17 recommendations and 110 action items were presented to the public as a road map for New Mexico’s water future.
The results are impressive. To meet our communities needs and ensure economic prosperity, several key legislative bills were passed. The Water Security Planning Act SB337 (Sen Stefanics/Rep Herrera) increases coordination and local capacity development in our state, it sets the stage for local water planning in our state. SB1 (Sen Wirth/Rep Herrera) created a regional water system resiliency process enabling local water systems to regionalize at the local level. To make communities more resilient and to respond to emergencies SB176, (Sen Campos, Sen Jaramillo) the Acequia Fund for Disaster Response was passed along with appropriation efforts of over $3 million to implement the Water Data Act and to advance water reuse in our state. And to ensure that this process would continue Senator Mimi Stewart allocated $325K to NM Tech to continue the work on water education and task force recommendations.
The task force proposed policies to protect our water resources including our upland watersheds and groundwater. HB195, (Rep McQueen, Rep Neville) Forest Conservation Act Amendments and SB 206 (Sen Hambien, Rep. McQueen) Forestry Division Procurement Exemption both passed unanimously. Appropriations to study, protect and bolster groundwater supplies included $35M to the Office of the State Engineer and the Interstate Stream Commission (OSC/ISC) for Lower Rio Grande aquifer projects and the Rio Grande and Colorado interstate settlements and litigation. $30M went to the OSC/ISC for lower Rio Grande aquifer restoration through appropriations and capital outlay. $250K (Rep. Herrera) was sent to NM Tech for a groundwater data study in Rio Arriba County and $75K was added to the statewide study.
The task force recommended optimizing water storage, conveyance, and green infrastructure to improve and protect our river systems. SB9 (Sen Neville, Sen Wirth) created a legacy permanent fund and provides $2.5M recurring to the NMED’s River Stewards Program, $1.4 M recurring to the Forest Land Protection Revolving Fund and $1.4M to the Natural Heritage Conservation Fund. HB2 put $7.5M into the Strategic Water Reserve. Almost $13M was appropriated for acequia and dam repair.
It’s important to understand that none of these bills infringe upon current water rights. Protecting our water rights is an important role for property owners in the North. Much work remains to be done, but as the new fiscal year begins, these laws and appropriations will jump start new action in conserving, protecting, and sustaining our water in New Mexico. Kudos to members of the task force, and legislators who worked tirelessly to make this happen. Climate change, extreme drought, and wildfires are unfortunately the new normal. We must act now in a cohesive and expedient manner to protect our water sources and our children’s future.