December 10, 2024
In a unanimous vote, New Mexico’s Water Quality Control Commission today designated over 250 river miles as Outstanding Natural Resource Waters (ONRWs) – the highest level of clean water protection the state can provide.
Nominated by the New Mexico Environment Department, these waters fall in the Rio Grande, Rio Chama, Cimmaron, Pecos, and Jemez watersheds, and all have unique habitat, climate resiliency, economic, or cultural attributes.
Outstanding Waters designation for these significant river miles will support and protect existing community uses, such as ranching and farming, while prohibiting new pollution that could impact these watersheds.
The waterways protected – in state and national parks, wildlife refuges, and national monuments – are favored recreation areas and home to many cherished wildlife species. Many of these waterways, like the Pecos River and Rio Chama, are beloved fishing, rafting, and swimming spots for New Mexico residents and tourists alike.
“WRA supports this nomination as it offers immense benefits to New Mexicans, watersheds, and wildlife,” said Brittany Fallon, policy manager at Western Resource Advocates. “Here in New Mexico, we’re often so concerned about whether there is any water or not, that sometimes we forget the importance of ensuring the water we do have is high quality. This designation layers additional protections to waters that sustain local communities and ecosystems, and where New Mexicans love to raft and fish, ensuring these pristine waters are preserved and protected for future generations.”
Despite their importance, New Mexico’s waterways are threatened by increased development, oil and gas extraction, mining, water disposal, climate change, and the loss of federal protections following Supreme Court rollbacks. This ONRW designation will preserve these pristine rivers and prevent future degradation.
These protections do not affect existing water rights and uses, which may continue if they do not degrade existing water quality. Additionally, none of the protected river segments are on private land, so the benefits of these protections can be enjoyed by the public for years to come.
Rallied by Amigos Bravos and Trout Unlimited, with legal representation by the Western Environmental Law Center, the designation has received broad support from local communities, farmers, Tribal governments, acequia parciantes, outdoor recreation businesses, and conservation organizations.
Clean water is not only vital for human health, it supports agricultural and economic stability, enhances the recreational activities that bolster New Mexico’s $2.4 billion outdoor recreation economy, and preserves centuries old water uses in acequia communities.
“Wetlands and streams are the lifeblood of our state and the foundation of the thriving ecosystems that make New Mexico so special,” added Fallon. “As we face increased impacts from climate change, we must move quickly to preserve the clean waters that sustain the environment, economies, and people of the West for our futures and those of our children.”
Wetlands and streams are the lifeblood of our state and the foundation of the thriving ecosystems that make New Mexico so special,” added Fallon. “As we face increased impacts from climate change, we must move quickly to preserve the clean waters that sustain the environment, economies, and people of the West for our futures and those of our children.
