Vision, Mission, Plain Truths, and Commitments

Vision - We envision a balanced water future for New Mexico, in which we equitably adapt to climate change and are stewards of our water, thereby preserving our diverse cultures, economy, food production, and our watersheds, rivers, aquifers, and natural ecosystems.

Mission - The MRG Water Advocates mission is to advocate for a balanced, equitable, and resilient water future for the Middle Rio Grande (Otowi Bridge to Elephant Butte Dam) and all of New Mexico through public education and engagement, civic participation, insistence on effective water governance, and securing transformative changes in state water planning, policy, and law.

Plain Truths

1. As Indigenous and traditional communities know and honor, Agua es Vida, Water is Life; and
2. Science clearly shows we will have much less water in the future; and
3. Water uses in many of New Mexico’s diverse river basin segments and aquifer systems are not sustainable now and supplies will be further diminished by 25% by 2070 due to historical and current greenhouse gas emissions; and
4. The status quo of sharing shortages in most locations is inequitable; and
5. Water governance in New Mexico is inadequate, has been neglected for too long, and if not improved, will deprive New Mexico’s future generations, ecosystems, and marginalized communities of water; and
6. New Mexico’s water resources agencies require inspired leadership, increased capacity, modern computer and data systems, the capacity to defend New Mexico in high-stakes litigation with Texas, and the resources to focus on other crucial water issues; and
7. Improved state, regional, and local water planning and management are essential to New Mexico’s future; and
8. Water use reductions and infrastructure improvements are required to secure the long-term viability of New Mexico’s water supplies and essential water uses.

The Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates' commitments:

1. Respectfully demand that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham fully implement her October 2018 water policy platform Managing and Conserving our Water to Preserve our Culture, Communities and Future Generations of New Mexicans; and
2. Support the creation of a new billion-dollar state water resilience fund for planning, project development, and implementation of projects identified by approved state, regional, tribal, and community water plans that were prepared with scientific integrity; and
3. Urge state water officials to maximize federal matching funds for community, regional, and state water projects; and
4. Organize our communities to face our changing climate and obtain seats at the table to participate in water decision making; and
5. Secure adequate funding to manage New Mexico’s water as the scarce resource that it is; and
6. Encourage passage of legislation to fund and establish a framework for New Mexicans to collaboratively decide appropriate and acceptable uses of water and then change laws and policies to allocate water accordingly; and
7. Seek to implement an expedited and robust program of evidence- and values-based regional and at-risk community water planning in each of the diverse hydrologic regions of New Mexico; and
8. Support staff and funding to fully implement the 2019 New Mexico Water Data Act; and
9. Encourage passage of legislation to substantially improve water resources investigations and data collection by state and federal science agencies for water planning and governance; and
10. Demand priority administration or an equivalent shortage-sharing agreement for hydrologic regions of New Mexico where water uses exceed the sustainable water supply; and
11. Demand that New Mexico deliver water in compliance with the Rio Grande Compact through the Middle Rio Grande for use below Elephant Butte Dam; and
12. Work to ensure continuity and vitality of New Mexico’s diverse cultures through thoughtful reform of New Mexico’s water laws and governance policies; and
13. Support creation of a New Mexico Water Resources Department with a diverse, qualified staff and a cabinet secretary who need not be a licensed engineer; and
14. Support implementation of integrated water resources management, including water quality and quantity; and
15. Seek compliance with the State-Tribal Collaboration Act so that state cabinet agencies diligently seek collaboration with tribal governments and give full consideration to their water management strategies, policies, and concerns; and
16. Support water management strategies that encompass Indigenous perspectives and science; and
17. Defend the rights of and remedy the lack of resources for traditional communities to protect their water rights; and
18. Urge that water allocations provide water for rivers, riparian habitat, and ecological services.