We Need Your Voice to Help Protect New Mexico’s Waters. Here’s How You Can Help.
UPDATE: June 30th
The Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) hearing to consider rules for the state-led surface water quality permitting program wrapped up on June 18th. We appreciate everyone who showed up, virtually or in-person, to give comment, signed a petition, or otherwise supported this important effort! Together we accomplished:
-
110 comments in support of NMW and our partners’ priorities for strong rules to protect New Mexico’s waterways and wetlands;
-
Generated over 2,000 petition signatures;
-
Submitted over 1,000 pages of technical testimony.
We especially want to uplift the staff and elected officials of the Pueblos of Jemez, Laguna, Pojoaque, and Isleta who gave public comment in support of strong protections for downstream Tribes’ water quality standards. A special thanks for Governor Antonio of the Pueblo of Laguna and Governor Galvan of the Pueblo of Jemez for their leadership!
Over the next few months, we’ll be working with our partners to submit our final redlines and technical testimony to advocate for the strongest rules possible to protect New Mexico’s most precious resource. The WQCC will deliberate in November, and we’ll keep you updated on the final rules!
_______
New Mexico’s rivers, streams, and wetlands are at a crossroads. Federal rollbacks have stripped clean water protections from most of the state’s waterways, and the rules that replace those protections are being written right now at the state level.
Senate Bill 21 (SB 21) established the framework for a state permitting program to protect New Mexico’s surface waters from pollution. But whether those protections are real or hollow depends on the rules the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) adopts. Public hearings are underway June 8–18, and your 3 minute comment could make a lasting difference.
- Click HERE to sign up to make public comment
- Click HERE to sign our petition that will be delivered to the WQCC
- Click HERE for a downloadable toolkit with everything you need to make a public comment
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just an environmental issue. It’s about public health, Tribal sovereignty, wildlife habitat, and whether future generations of New Mexicans will have access to clean, reliable water in an already water-scarce state. The rules being considered right now will govern dredging and filling in wetlands and waterways, mitigation requirements when waters are damaged, public participation rights, and Tribal water protections.
Weak rules would leave communities, ecosystems, and vulnerable waters at risk for years to come.
What Strong Rules Look Like
New Mexico Wild is calling on the Commission to adopt rules that:
- Protect all surface waters including rivers, streams, wetlands, and the smaller tributaries that feed them
- Meet or exceed lost federal protections, including the 404(b)(1) guidelines requiring avoidance, minimization, and compensation for impacts
- Require avoidance first, ensuring that applicants demonstrate that they’ve chosen the least environmentally damaging option before permits are issued
- Establish a 2:1 mitigation ratio, requiring that twice the size of the area be restored or created when wetlands are destroyed
- Meaningfully involve the NM Department of Wildlife in the permitting process
- Protect Tribal waters and deny permits that would violate downstream Tribal water quality standards
- Ensure public participation on all general permit notices of intent
How to Comment
Public comments are being heard every day June 8–18 at 1 PM.
- In person: New Mexico State Capitol, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, Room 309. Note: Room numbers subject to change. Make sure to check signage on the doors at the Roundhouse to find the appropriate room.
- Virtually: Via Webex (link available at the NM Environment Department Events Calendar)
You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to show up and say why clean water matters to you, your family, and your community.
Download our toolkit here! It includes sample comments, talking points, and more.
Want more background? Read the recently published op-ed, “Commission must adopt strong water quality rules” by Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth and Representative Kristina Ortez in the Santa Fe New Mexican.
