Water Advocates' 19th Council
A Set of Virtual Conferences
January 8, 12, 15, 19, and 22, 2022

The Great Change:
Surviving New Mexico's Arid Future
A Call to Action

Flyer        Agenda       Register
President's Message
Conference Speakers
Recordings of the Conference

Conference Theme.  Widespread unsustainable use of surface and groundwater is a problem New Mexico has not yet effectively faced.  We also face 25% reductions in river flows and aquifer recharge due to climate change.   Business as usual with climate change will accelerate the decline of aquifers throughout the state.  New Mexico water law and administration require reform if we are to survive New Mexico’s arid future.

The Water Advocates 2022 Conference focused on four strategic actions to start New Mexico's adaptation to a future with less water.

  • Fund New Mexico's Water Future
  • Reform New Mexico Water Governance
  • Ensure Reliable Middle Rio Grande Compact Compliance
  • Equitably Share Middle Rio Grande Water Shortages

We must persuade decision-makers to place much more importance on governance and management of New Mexico's precious water resources.

The Water Advocates thank the speakers and 180 people who attended some or all of the conference's five sessions.

Conference Description.  The kickoff session was held January 8, 2022.  Speakers included the Honorable Melanie Stansbury, U.S. Rep. CD1 to provide the keynote "Effecting Transformative Change in New Mexico Water Governance".

Mike Hamman, then New Mexico Governor Lujan Grisham’s Senior Water Advisor and now State Engineer, Paula Garcia, Executive Director of New Mexico Acequia Association, and Norm Gaume, President of the Water Advocates, gave presentations regarding the four strategic actions.  The presentations were followed by a panel discussion and answers to participants questions.

Four breakout meetings followed over the subsequent two weeks.  Each breakout session focused on one strategic action.  Short presentations were followed by breakout room meetings to discuss answers to questions.  All participants then heard a summary from each breakout group.

Jan. 12 - Fund New Mexico's Water Future
Jan. 15 - Reform New Mexico Water Governance
Jan. 19 - Ensure Reliable Middle Rio Grande Compact Compliance
Jan. 22 - Equitably Share Middle Rio Grande Water Shortages

Video Recordings 

Video recordings of the January 8 presentations can be viewed at the following links:

  • U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury - "Effecting Transformative Change in New Mexico Water Governance"
  • Mike Hamman - "Ensure Reliable Middle Rio Grande Compact Compliance"
  • Paula Garcia - Equitably Share Middle Rio Grande Water Shortages"
  • Norm Gaume - "Fund New Mexico's Water Future" and
    "Reform New Mexico Water Governance"
  • Whole Conference - The session starts 26 minutes into the recording

Video recordings of the January 12 follow-on session can be viewed at the following links:

  • Norm Gaume - "Fund New Mexico's Water Future"
  • Report Outs from the conference participants' six breakout sessions

Video recordings of the January 15 follow-on session can be viewed at the following links:

  • Norm Gaume - "Reform New Mexico's Water Governance"
  • Report Outs from the conference participants' six breakout sessions

Video recordings of the January 19 follow-on session can be viewed at the following links:

  • Mike Hamman - "Ensure Reliable Middle Rio Grande Compact Compliance"
  • Report Outs from the conference participants' six breakout sessions

Video recordings of the January 22 follow-on session can be viewed at the following links:

  • Paula Garcia - "Equitably Share Middle Rio Grand Water Shortages"
  • Report Outs from the conference participants' six breakout sessions

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